The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-10-04
CHAPTER VII.
FRANK GREY SECURES AN APPOINTMENT
AND LOSES IT.

CHAPTER VII
FRANK GREY SECURES AN APPOINTMENT
AND LOSES IT.
And this is a Sabbath dav in great
new Babylon of Chicago" Grey unused
as he wendell his way one Sunday
morning to the post office. He was not
strait-laced in his opinions nor in
any way puDitanical, but the utter dis
regard OF that Day of Rest he had from
childhood been accustomed to observe
Jared his feelings strangely. The city
was running full blast" Theaters.
concert-halls, dives" of every descrip-
ton were open to the public. who
seemed bent upon taking every advan-
tage of enjoyment they offered.
To Grey the scene was hideous. It
was not the gay, outdoor festival of a
Partisan Sunday; but a day on which
young men shut themselves up in bill
liard-halls and gambling dens, and
drank themselves into a state of leth-
argy. 1t was a vulgar, senseless, be-
hind-the-screen kind of Sunday.
Frank Grey had resolved upon q
journalistic career. He felt that he
could write, and as he was temperate,
energetic and modestly willing to be-
gin at the bottom of the profession and
work his way up, he did not anticipate
much trouble in securing a position,
and with this end in view he had writ
ten to the managing editor of every
newspaper in the city a letter of appli-
cation for immediate employment, if
needs be, volunteering to give his serv-
ices for nothing at the start.
When he reached the post Office he
took his place in the long line of ex-
pectant men patiently taking their
turn of inquiry at the little window.
1t might be ten minutes before his
chance would come. so he spent the
time in scanning the features of the
men near him. specializing on their lots
in life, for they were. of course, all like
himself. strangers, and probably nine
out of every ten men who had come to
this Mecca Of the destitute to seek en-
plOyment.
His attention was especially attracted
to the person Immediately in front of
him-a tall, broad-shouldered, hand
some young man, with a face express
sive of intense anxiety.
''Algernon Granvillc?" the stranger
asked when his turn came.
The clerk hastily ran over a pile of
letters and shook his head.
Are you sure?"
Nothing for you. Pass on was the
curt response.
Grey was sure he saw the young
mans face flush and then grow deathly
pale as he strobe away.
For himself there were four letters,
each bearing the address in large black
letters of a Chicago daily paper. He
chuckled to himself as he received
them, his only apprehension being that
he had been precipitant in offering his
services in such a broadcast manner,
which might lead to the embarrass-
ment of more than one accepting his
proposition. Putting the precious mis-
sives in his pocket to be enjoyed at leis-
ure in his lodgings he strolled away
with much dissatisfaction pausing for
a moment TO gaze with wonder into the
shop-windows of Clark street, where
the second-clasS tradesmen were driv-
ing roaring business notwithstanding
the city ordinances which prescribe
fines innumerable for all violators of
the Sabbath day.
He had crossed two blocks on his way
to his lodging when his attention was
attracted to a secondhand basement
clothes store, in which. to his surprise,
his handsome neighbor at the post office
was standing in the midst of some dirty
Jewish statesmen, engaged in a violent
alteration. everyone of the shopmen
speaking at once, and the young gen
tleman Indignantly protesting in loud
and angry tones.
Without a moments reflection Grey
sprang down the steps to the young
mans side.
Can 1 serve you in any way?" was /
the impetuous offer. What is the mat !
ter?"
Nothing. You thought it was a
row, did you? Good fellow! it's only 4
a way these enterprising gentlemen
have of doing business"
'Oh. indeed" Grey replied. blushing |
at his impatient interference. Il am
very sorry intrujed."
Never mention it. And now" said |
the stranger. turning to the store peo- |
pie, If you will not give me ten dollars
for an overcoat for which l paid fifty 4
not a month ago, give me the garment /
back
A babel of polyglotic depreciation
followed
Surely said Grey, you are not
Of selling that handsome over
coat?"
Not for four dollars, which is all the
beggars offer"
Get your coat and come along with
me; have something to propose; you
must: you shall" And. nOtwithstand-
ing the opposition of the Jews, who, in
their agony at losing customer, Of
fered nine, ten, eleven-and then, with
a scream like the cry of lost spirit.
twelve dollars-they escaped to the
sidewalk
Let me be your friend" Grey said,
yrasping the arm of his new acquaint-
lnce. 4 am sure the dilemma that
compels gentleman to sell his coat in
a strange city can be easily explained,
and You viii confer favor on me by"