The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-08-22

capacity. a young fellow named Luxe
| Abersbaw. and have found him a per
feet treasure: steady Industrious, oDllS-
irig, accurate. | can fully recommend
him. He is but poorly off, and 1t would
be doing n really charitable act to en-
gage him. and would oblige me in the
bargain. | can say no more.
"Au revoir. Yours ever,
John Roberts,
Mr.. Medlicott read the letter twice
through. occasionally CHANGING up at
the face before him.
He did not like the face; it seemed
to have a curious repulsion for him,
but Mr.. MedlicOtt was a thorough mat
ter-of-fact man who poch-poohed all
such ideas.
John Roberts was n very old friend.
He put his recommendation in the
form of a favor. He had appealed to
his b~enevOlence, a weak point.
The young mans eyes were fixed
upon the carpet. but the anxiety with
which he awaited the decision was
visible in every feature even in his
~nervously twitching fingers as they
lay upon his knees.
Il would make myself useful in any
way. sir" he said pleadingly. Il don't
set myself up for anything; all | look
To is To get an honest living. and care
very little what | do TO obtain it,"
He heaved a deep sigh as he finish
ed this appeal.
Mr.. Medlicott'S heart was touched.
Il fear you have known misfortune"
he said.
Il have indeed, sir. | have had t6
fight my own way in life ever since |
was a mere boy" was the answer.
Were you left an orphan then?"
II was, sir. | never remember my
mother; she died when l was very
young. My father was a carpenter,
but unfortunately he was addicted to
drink. l had but a miserable home.
What education | have had | picked
up rs best | could. The drink killed
my father at last"
BY this time Mr.. MedlicOtt was thor
oughly interested in the young mans
story. only he wished that he would
look him in the face while telling II,
instead of letting his eyes wander
about the carpet. But that was ner-
~vOusness, humility.
Mr.. Medlicott although a lawyer by
fl hNu biIliSNti 'uDoh btlllS
a philanthropist: there was scarcely
an association for the ameliOriating of
the moral and social condition of hui
mainly that he was not in some way
connected with. and it was as an as
sistant in conducting his m%ultifarious
correspondence upon these subjects,
which was daily growing, that he re-
CURED the services of an amanuensiS.
Although a prOfessed philanthrOpist.
he had some heart and really pitied
this meek and diffident young man,
but he also had an eye TO a bargain.
Let me see" he cOgitated: "he is
very poor, very eager for the situation.
He will be glad to take a small sum.
At all events I can get him much
cheaper than most young men and
oblige an old friend, and serve a de-
serving person at the same time. He
said, too, he would not object to make
himself generally useful. If | were to
take him into the house he might help
Dawson and do lots of things. Board
and lodging, and, let me see. ten shill-
ings a week: that would be a most
liberal offer"
And with the air of a man who is
making a magnificent proposal. Mr..
Medlicott placed the proposition be-
fore him.
Il shall be most grateful. sir, for
such a situation" replied Abershaw,
respectfully to be in the house. 1t is so
unusually lonely In lodgings, especial
ly such poor me as l am obliged to
content myself with. l have not much
command Of words, but l will try to
show Won nv m ootS hnu pnr.h On
preciate your goodness
1T Is u duty to make u fellow
creatures happy, when they deserve
it, answered Mr.. Medlicott, o~stenta-
tiOusly.
You are known far and wide for
that, sir; every n knows your name"
"Ah, you've heard Of it," said the
lawyer, playing with a pen.
"WhO has not heard of Richard Med
licott, the philanthropist? Beg pardon,
sir, for speaking Of you in that famil-
lar way; l was only quoting others"
"All great men are spoken of So
ahem, don't mean to say that l am
a great man. And now, Mr.. Aber-
shaw, when can you commence your
duties"
Tonight, If you wish ii, sir
"Oh, no: tomorrow will do. Come
about this time tomorrow. Good
evening, Mr.. A~bershaw; l trust we
shall both have reason to congratu-
late ourselves upon this Introduction"
Il an sure | shall"
Mr.. Medlicott rang the bell for the
servant, and, with a bow, quilted the
room.
Had he Suddenly returned no wo,,,d
have seen his protege's tace and bear
ing so transformed that he would
scarcely have recognized him. The
bent form was erect, the pale features
were flushed, and their meek look had
given place to n of ex%ultation.
'At last" he cried under his breath.