Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-03-04
A MUTUAL FRIEND.

Howard, desiring TO bring Ferguson
and Walker into a fellowship like that
of Damon and Pythias, set them 80 far
apart that oceans roll between them and
deserts parch and bake. This is, of
course, a 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 w men have met but once, and
then only 20 say "How dye dor"
Howard lives in Pocatello, Ida. To
Pocatello a year ago went Ferguson,
jo%urneying on some affair connected
with the railroad company which pays
him well for knowing intricate and hid
den things about the transportation bust.
ness. Ferguson was i'll Pocatello for
two weeks. 1t was a gloomy sort Of ex-
lie, and but for tho presence of Howard,
whom he met ON the first day of his Wis
it, he would have suffered horrible
pangs and gripings Of lonesomoness, but
Howard, bright, entertaining and all
informed, was as a %wellspring of hap
piness and made the railroad MINIS stay
in the sunburned regions Of Idaho n
pleasant vacation, and when Ferguson
was ready tn leave Howard said to him:
NOW, old man, l want you to be
sure and meet my friend Walker. It's a
shame that two such splendid fellows
should live in the same town and be
strangers. I've written a letter of intro
duction, aud you just walk around to
his place when you get back to Chicago
and go out and take II on me. You'll
like Walker and he'll like you"
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 for a month, quite forgotten.
At tho expiration of that time Ferguson
received a note from Howard. who
wanted to know something about q
business matter which they had discuss
cd in Pocatello. Asa postscript Howard
added the question:
"You have seen Walker. of course:
Great follow, isn't he?"
Walker, Walker-let me see" Fer
guson unused. "Who in thunder is
Walker? Oh, yes. That fellow l have
the letter Of introduction to. Well, ]
really must call on him."
The same mail which bore tho mis-
sive to Ferguson also carried n to
Walker. Howard, among other things,
wrote these words: "You remember
Ferguson, whom l asked you to call up
on7 What do you think of him9 He's
the right sort, isn't he?"
"By George" Walker cried on read
ing Towards letter, che did ask me to
drop In on somebody named Ferguson,
TO whom he had given a letter for pres
entation to me. And I've clean forgot
ten 1t. Wonder where the mans to be
foundl'' He examined the directory't
list Of Fergusons, and then, with some
show Of disappointment, said to him
self: "Pshawl His Office is down In
the Grand Central station, three milei
away. Well, next time I'm over that
way I'll stop" Then he called foE M
~stenographer and dictated "a letter tell
ing Howard that he had enjoyed hi
visit with Ferguson immensely.
Two weeks afterward Ferguson re
oeived further documents from Pocatel
10.
"The matter you were examining In
to-" Howard wrote, turns out to be
pretty good thing, and I'd advise you b
bang ON 20 II. I'll keep you posted o.
developments I'll not let them foo
you. BY the way, what do you think O
Walker? You haven't told me-"
Thunder and lightningl" Ferguso
uttered, 81 ought TO have called o.
Towards friend a month ago. Here h
10 doing me all kinds Of good turns on
there In Pocatello and / haven't graft
tude enough to go and meet the man h
asked No to-" He would have rushe
out forthwith to m with Wall
or, only no saw that the directory local
ed the man away of on the North Side
''Ill take that letter around 70 hiI
next week, 4" said Ferguson.
He did not, however. He promptl
forgot all about Walker until a for
night passed and information cam
from Pocatello that ''the property fs u
30 per cent in value. Give my respect
10 Walker the next time you see him.
Next time ! see him, 4" Ferguson n
peated. Lets see. Did / say ! had a
ready met himl / guess / must hAv
told Howard something like that. We
I'll have 70 lilo it out ON chat line II
takes all summer" So he answere
Towards letter by saying that he an
Walker had together seen a play th
Aight before and had had q most emo
Haously good time. He even repeate