Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-12-06

=
him up entirely. determined that The
would show Ned Steele that his friend
ship couldn't be refused twice"
So. under the existing circumstances.
they had anything but a jolly ime of i:
in BoNves q Co.'S Office. with Ned grow
ing more stiff and solemn every DAY.
Mil1 $ absence becoming more and more
frequent and the proprietor's face like
a storm-cloud from one week end tn
another.
Giving up Ned in disgust. Charlie
turned his attention to Milton Hartley.
and soon an acquaintance sprang up
between them that BODIED no good for
Mr.. Bowes' nephew. Unlike Ned. he
not only admired Milton. but he longed
In fact, Charlie wanted to be "a man of
the world" He eagerly accepted Mil
toms invitation. one day given, to-
Come downtown tonight, Page. and
III teach YOU billiards. if you'd like to
learn
Ned looked up quickly from his work.
and almost spoke the warning that WIS
Its none of my business, kept him
silent. Conscience. however. gave him
no peace: so as they were closing up for
the night. he said:
"Chariie, don't you go with tLilt to-
night. Your uncle won't like it.
is that any of your business?"
snapped Charlie. who knew very we'll
that his uncle would be far from
pleased at such an eScapade, Don't
give Your advice. Steele. till it 5 called
for
Ned turned on his heel and Left,
angry with himself for speaking. yet
knowing that Charlie was j1At entering
Il path that would be certain ruin to
such an impulsive, head-strong fellow.
Its nothing to me--none OF my bus
ness said Ned, savagely. thinking OF
the hard luck Charles presence in the
office would bring him.
Are YOU too tired to take the work
I've finished over to Mrs. Coles for me
after tea. Ned?" was Mrs. Steele's gen
tie inquiry, during the meal.
Not at all. MOTHER was Ned's
cheerful reply; and SO he set out. I'M
mediately after his appetite was salts
fled. for the long tramp across the city
Though cheerful before his mother
Ned's thoughts were far from pleasant
as he walked on through the almost
deserted streets. Now and then fine
carriages dashed past him. and he
longed to be like the occupants
wealthy.
If he only had money enough to live
in a big house as Mr.. Bowes did. or
like Charles folks. he'd ride in car
riage. too. and-but this Improbable
reverie was cut short by his arrival
at Mrs. Coles. He delivered the work
and turned again toward home.
Two figures passed b. fore him out OF
Il brilliantly lighted billiard room and
separated on the corner.
Good night. Charlie. Guess you can
get home all right" Ned heard Milton
Hartley's voice say. The air will do
your head good. twas confoundsd hot
in there. that's fact"
Wont you come a little way with a
fsllow?' said the other. leaning UNI
steadily against the lamp-post. That
stuff | had made me terribly dizzy"
"Oh. thatll be all right in few min
utss. l must be off Good night"
'Scounare,. exclaimed Ned as
Hartley turned the corner Then he
stepped forward and grasped Charles
arm Come on home. Pags. I'll help
YOU.
is that YOU. Steele?" said Charlie.
thickly Let go of my arm. | can get
along without your help. Let go. |
say"
He wrenched away from Ned and
staggered half across the street. but
slipped. and fell all in heap, too con-
fused for moment to move. \ car
ria@e turned the corner. and had Ned
not pulled him back in the nick of
time. in all proba bility the foolish fell
low would have been killed.
1t was all done in fash-the fall
the rush of hoofs. Ned's plucky action
then Ned Steele found himself lying
on the edge of the sidewalk feeling y
little faint and with a badly
ankle Mr. Bowes was bending over
him. and Charlie Page sat on the curb
stone beside him. now thoroughly So
bered
Help me into the carriage with him.
Charlie" said Mr.. Bowes. husliiy.
Had it not been for him l proba bly,
should have run over and killed my own
nephew
In his unc,e's library. with Ned
stretched on the sofa beside him. Char
lie made a clean breast of the affair.
and was freely forgiven. And Ned.
after some urging. explained his own
conduct toward his former schoolfel-
dow.
why. did you think that had any
intention of discharging you, Ed
ward??" said Mr.. Bowes. my inten-
ton was to discharge Milton Hartley.
and give YOU his position as. soon as
Charlie was capable of doing your
work. You are fully competent. my
boy. so Hartley goes tomorrow. and
Edward Steele will be head clerk for
Bowes & Co."
This was good news indeed. and when
4 l.. IL. L =.