The Press., 1897-12-23
A MUTUAL FRIEND.

A MUTUAL FRIEND. |
Howard, desiring to bring Ferguson
and Walker into a fellowship like that
Of Damon and Pythias, set them SO far
apart that oceans roll between them and
deserts parch and bake. This is, of
course, figure of speech, for Ferguson
and Walker both live in Chicago, where
there are no oceans or deserts.
But the feeling of loathing which has
risen up to separate these two men whom
Howard had hoped to make firm friends
accomplishes the purpose of desert and
ocean and mountain chain too. And yet
the two men have met but once, and
then only to say 'How dye do?"
Howard lives. in Pocatello, Ida To
Pocatello a year ago went Ferguson,
journeying on some affair connected
with the railroad company which pays
him we'll for knowing intricate and hid
den things about the transportation bust
ness. Ferguson was in Pocatello for
two weeks 1t was gloomy sort of ex-
lie, and but for the presence of Howard,
whom he met on the first day of his Wis
it, he would have suffered horrible
pangs and gripings of lonesomeness, but
Howard, bright, entertaining and all
informed, was as wellspring of hap
piness and made the railroad man 8 stay
in the sunburned regions of Idaho q
pleasant vacation, and when Ferguson
was ready to leave Howard said to him:
SNOW, old man, want you to be
sure and meet my friend Walker. It's
shame that two such splendid fellows
should live in the same town and be
strangers. I've written letter of intro
duction, and you just walk around to
his place when you get back to Chicago
and go out and take one ON me. You'll
! likaesW alker- and he'll like you. 4"
Ferguson thanked Howard with an
easy conscience, for he, too, thought it
would be pleasant to meet one whom
Howard recommended for his worth.
Then he returned to Chicago.
The letter of introduction nestled in
his pocket fer month, quite forgotten.
At the expiration of that time Ferguson
received note from Howard. who
wanted to know something about a
business matter which they had discuss
ed in Pocatello AS ia postscript Howard
added the question:
"You have seen Walker, of coursel
Great fellow, isn't he?'
"Walker, .Walker-let me see, :" Fer
guson mused "Who in thunder is
Walker? Oh, yes. That fellow have
the letter of introduction to. Well,
really must call on him. -
The same mail which bore the mis-
sive to Ferguson also carried one to
Walker. Howard, among other things,
wrote these words: "You remember
Ferguson, whom l asked you to call up
onp What do you think Of him? He's
the right sort, isn't he?''
"By' George" Walker cried on read.
ing Howard IS letter, ''he did ask me to
drop in on somebody named Ferguson,
to whom he had given letter for pres
entation to me. And I've clean forgot
ten it.. Wonder where the mans to be
found?'' He examined the directory's
list of Fergusons, and then, with some
show-of disappointment, said to him
self "tPsl4awl His office is down in
the Grand Central station, three miles
away. Well, next time I'm over that
way I'll STOP. Then he called for his
stenographer and dictated letter tell
ing Howard that he had enjoyed his
visit with Ferguson immensely.
Two weeks afterward Ferguson re-
ceived further documents from Pocatel-
10.
The matter you were examining in
to, /" Howard wrote, "turns out to be a
pretty good thing, and I'd advise you to
hang on to it. Ill keep you posted on
developments. I'll not let them fool
you. By the way, what do you think of
Walker? You haven't told me- -
Thunder and lightningP' Ferguson
uttered, 81 ought to have called on
Howard's friend month ago. Here he
is doing me all kinds of good turns out
there in Pocatello and l haven't graft
tude enough to go and meet the man he
asked me to. - He would have rushed
out forthwith to commune with Walk
er, only he saw that the directory locat-
ed the man away off on the North Side.
"I'll take that letter around to him
next week, said Ferguson.
He did not, however. He promptly
forgot all about Walker until fort
| night passed and information came
from Pocatello that "the property is up
30 per cent in value. Give my respects
to Walker the next time you see him. ."
"Next time see him, Ferguson re
peated. Let's see. Did say had al
ready met him? / guess must have
told Howard something like that. Well,
I'll have to lie it out on that line if it
takes all summer" So he answered
Howard's letter by saying that he and
Walker had together seen play the
night before and had had most enor-
mously good time He even repeated
some anecdotes of Howard's s earlier life
which he, declared Walker had told
! him I'd like to know whether Walker
is married or single, " Ferguson Thought
"I've got a bully story l could tell
about him if only knew. Doggone
himl / wish | didn't have that letter
Of introduction to him. He's getting to
/, be kind of nuisance. !"
About the same time Walker, writ
ing to Howard, was saying how much
he was indebted to the western man for
the pleasure he had drawn from his
companionship with Ferguson.