The Worthington advance., 1897-01-21


homes. But, somehow, I'd an idea that
this was not the case with Mr.. Ker-
shaw.
About IL months after his marriage
the alteration that I want to tell you
about came. I was the first to notice
it, and I passed the news round the
office. There happened to be new
baby at my place, and wanted the aft
ernoon off to see some people my moth
er washes for. What does Mr.. Kershaw
do but look up from his table quite
cheerfully and say:
BY all means, Billing"
''Much obliged to you, sir.''
"Going to take your young lady out
for the day, Billing?"
1 never saw Mr.. Kershaw smile BE-
fore, and upon my word it took my
breath away for moment
''No, sir" I said; "I've broke it all Oft
with her."
"Sorry to hear that"
"Fact of the matter is, sir, she was a
bit too fond of fourpenny ices. Turned
up her nose, bless you, at twopenny
ones. Would have fourpennies. And
when you begin to shell out fourpence
after fourpence, and see her getting less
imible at each ice, why"
1T is not with her, then, that you
wish to spend the afternoon?'
I explained, and Mr.. Kershaw rose
from his chair and sat on the corner of
the table, just as though he was the
most cheerful gentleman in the city.
"Why, that's singular" he said, good
temperedly.
II don't know about that, sir" I
answered. ''There's nine Of us al
ready"
''But, what I mean to say, it's odd.
Because, do you know, Billing, I have
little arrival at home. And that's a
boy, too."
"Fine boy, sir, may ask?"
"As fine little man." said Mr.. Ker-
shaw, enthusiastically, 'as ever came
into this world. Bright-eyed, healthy,
chubby-perfect picture of boy. I
don't suppose, as matter of fact, that
such perfect youngster is often seen.
He's got way of staring fxedly at
one"
Mr.. Kershaw this time absolutely
laughed. Invent to the door.
II say, Billing. I should like to give
your new brother something. Has he
got mug?"
'He's got rare funny little mug,
sir" I answered. eve all pinch his
!ift1o poco for hin, 1o,,+ ,,,,1oee, 1,o o1+o,,
he won't be what I call dazzlin' and
some."
Il mean a silver christening mug
explained Mr.. Kershaw. IF not, you
must let me present him with one.
Good morning, Billing
It wasn't believed in the Office at first,
but the clerks soon saw that the change
was real. Linkson declared that he
overheard Mr.. Kershaw one evening,
just before he left the office, hum
ming comic song; Linkson admitted
that Mr.. Kershaw hummed it all wrong,
but still he hummed it. One of our
clerks lived at Slough, and Mr.. Kershaw
called him in one day to ascertain his
opinion of Eton as school for grow
ing youth. The Slough clerk said that
he had heard that Eton wasn't half a
bad place, and Mr.: Kershaw thanked
him, and made Eote of it in his diary.
On another occasion, when the manag-
ing clerk to a solicitors in Ely place
called at the Office, Mr.. Kershaw had a
long conversation with him on the bar
as profession for young men, and the
chances it offered for advancement. I
think that upon this point Mr.. Kershaw'
was not quite decided, because noticed
on his blotting pad a scribbled line:
"Bar. Query? Enquire re Church.
See Canon Wcste." -. -.
And underneath: - -. ..:
rs Sandhurst expensive? Query?
Tenth hussars." ~ ,=-,>
!. One day posted letter for him to
a Sunday paper, and got Linkson to
persuade his father to buy a copy. In
the ANSWERS to Correspondence we
found: .,' =, 49,,
tsWahsrek.-In answer to your in
quiry, l do not recommend political
career for your son, unless he shows a
special ability for speaking and thor
ough grasp Of the great questions Of the
day. But il he decides to enter St.
Stephens let him first read all John
Stuart Mills works and my own book
called Customs and Habits OF the
Laplanders." !" ss4. .s5 3..5 sza
Somehow the whole Office seem to be