The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-07-05

Enough for One Night.
\ He Thought Il Too Bad 10 Disturb Ne
y police Just foe Two Burglar.

THE great merchant looked up
from his desk. A boy had en-
tered the Office. He was stout boy
Il Of perhaps 10. A plainly dressed boy,
4 with big shoes and soft wool hat.
vi "Lookin' for place." said the boy.
The merchant shook his head.
" "Willin' to do anythin' that's hon
orable-except sand the sugar." said
the boy.
The merchant slightly smiled.
X sand is quite too expensive an in
= gredient," he said with little
chuckle. "You'd be safe from any
" such temptation here. At the same
time, we have no place for you. Good
night
And he turned back to his writing.
mo objection to my sittin' here an
restin'?" inquired the boy.
: "No," replied the merchant.
i. The boy dropped into chair and
pulled paper from his pocket. Pres
emily he gave low whistle.
= swell, I swami" he said.
+. "Eh?' said the merchant, looking
up.
II II didn't mean to disturb you" said
Z the boy, "but was just readin' here
how the police had couple o bur-
glars penned up in a vacant house an
then let 'em get away. Poor lot o.
shoats, guess"
"A vacant house ?" the merchant re-
= peated.
"Yes," said the boy. "Family gone
of to the seaside. Burglars had it all
to themselves. Lot O empty houses
entered lately. Here's one place
where they even carried off the water
; pipes an the CHANDELIERS"
Don't go away until finish this
letter." said the merchant. "1've got
something to say to you"
GAIL right" said the boy. "My times
yours"
In few moments the letter was
finished and ready for posting. The
merchant looked at the big Office
clock. It was $50. All the employees
had gone save the porter, who was
waiting at the office door to lock up.
The merchant closed his desk and
turned to the boy.
"Well," he said, abruptly, "who are
you and where are you from?"
"Name's Joshua Griscom," replied
the boy. u. Griscom, Perrysburg.
Il Josh for short"
$s sand what brings you here?"
Came up as freight" replied the
Il boy. SCOT tired of the farm. an
wanted to make my fortune. Hung
on to freight train and come to
y town. Been at it for week. IT some
thin don't turn up tonight I'm goin'
, back to the farm Tomorrow"
e. "Have you any references?' in
quired the merchant.
y "Nop,' replied the boy.
"Know anybody in town."
"Not SOUL
The merchant looked the boy over.
II think you are an honest lad" he
said.
II have the advan ia ge of you there"
laughed the boy. II know it,"
The merchant chuckled softly.
"You evidently don't lack for strong
recommendation from strictly per-
= sonal source" he said. "But come
with me. Patrick, you may lock up"
{. AS they passed through the outer
door the merchant suddenly stopped.
Had any supper?" he asked.
eyes," replied the boy. lit was
my. farewell meal. 1t took my last
cent"
Gail right" said the merchant,
"come along. Now, listen. want
= care-taker for my house. My wife and
daughters have gone to the seaside
and taken all the servants with them.
AS you have just been reading, good
robbed lately. / occasionally sleep at
home myself, but there are nights
when I want to stay downtown and
meet some of my business associates
at the hotels. 1 feel that I need
care-taker at the home-a man to
watch the premises day as we'll as
night, and make himself generally
useful. You seem to have a strong
arm and a stout heart. my lad. What
do you say to taking the job?"
"Guess 1 wouldn't fancy it for a
steady job" replied the lad. "But I'll
i do the best can, just the same"
| The big house looked gloomy as the
. merchant and the boy entered it. II
want you to sleep downstairs the
former said "You can make up a
!. bed on this broad couch in the library.
Now come with me and [ will show
you about the house."
a. The boy followed the merchant as
u the latter lighted the gas from room
4 to room.
VI "Everything seems to be in order"
\ remarked the owne:. IF they flnd
out somebody is in the house they will
\ leave it alone. You are not afraid to
sleep here, are you?
4. "No,' said the 10y. II amt. Iva
! afraid little white ago that I
Y wouldn't have any place to sleep. This
ri don't scare me mite"
" ''Good," said the merchant. "You
4; will find all the bed clothing you re-
n quire in the front chamber. And,
l here-look at this room Off the din
" ing-room. This is where my wife has
stored her choicest bric-a-brac and