The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-08-25

themselves might have been glad 70
receive The only solution he could
imagine vas that, as he had been the
shipping clerk who had had charge
Of the packing Of many costly articles
for the Ware mansion, this might be
meant as a token Of appreciation for
his serviees-but this explanation
was anything but satisfactory.
However, he presented himself az
the Ware mansion at the time APP
I pointed, and was ushered into a large
room that was already filled with
I guests. Mrs. Thorndyke Ware re-
eeived him graciouxly, but, as he
I thought, with a slightly surprised ex-
I preston on her face: then he drifted
away from one group 10 another
At first he felt dffidenr and out OF
I place. but as this wore Of he found
himself talking With men whose
names he was familiar with as being
leaders in the financial world. And
little by little they began to listen 10
him with interest. and then with def
erence. John Williams had not
passed much of his time in idIeness.
and. besides thoroughly familiarizing
himself with the various makes and
trade MARKS and other intricate de-
tails Of the goods in which his en-
plOyers dealt. he had stored his mind
with a vast fund Of miscellaneous in
formation And it so happened that
rare and unique makes of earthen-
ware was just now the subject IN
which the fashionable world was in
terested-
But as the evening wore away his
face began 10 look puzzled. then
questioning, then grave At last he
made his way across the room to his
hostess.
Il am glad you have come she
said. while the guests were arris-
ing could only just bid you wei
come Vow. how is Agnes and how
are your sistersg-
1T Is about them wish to speak. .
! he said. bluntly. -Mr. Ware asked
me if my people were wei. and one
of your daughters Just asked me il
my sisters were coming 70 the city
soon Now. am alone in the world
Ny mother has been dead ten years.
and never had any sisters There
has been a mistake"
, Aren't you John Williams, at Bur
. ton & True's2-
Yes
5 She looked puzzled.
4 rs there another clerk Of the same
: name in the establishment
: Not that know Of There are sew
: eral WilIiamses. but do not think any
: OF them are named John
: 1T is curious Agnes Williams
1 wrote me that her son was coming tC
7 the city 10 engage with Burton &
! True, and that she hoped would look
D after him a little. She IS an old schOo
4 friend OF mine thought that you aP
peared rather older than her sor
:, could be-
Well my being here is a mistake
he said. gravely. but you must allow
4 me to thank you. Mrs Ware. for tbs
1 pleasantest evening of my life I vii
: go now am sorry for the person
[ whose place have usurped. but can
2 not help being little glad on my owl
account It has given me something
to think about and has shown me Ihers
: are more sides 10 life than narrow
z minded man sometimes sees"
; but. really. you must not go unit
E the end of the evening" Mrs Ware in
: terposed. pleasantly 1T has been :
mistake. certainly but hope you vii
not make that a reason for leaving us
|. He shook his head
I would better GO he answered
I do not like to take advantage of mis-
q takes"
4 When he saw the new man come IL
: the next morning he left his desk viii
: a sudden presentiment of the truth
L What did you say your name VAST
Williams. sir"
I '-Johu9~
: YES; John Williams Co
: Him.
liam Mr.. Buttons nephew the new
man continued. blandly. ~and an
5 learning the routine OF each depart
r ment. with view of entering the irn
a in january would have told you thi
: yesterday if you had given me an op
o portunity. But am afraid shall hav
! to ask You to excuse me from haRdIin.
e the heavy boxes. / am not particu
l. larry robust, and must content myssl
n with the lighter work.
sVery WE'LL
2. Head of Department Williams cree,
e was to view the world as huge ma
.e chine, OF which he and his fellow
L clerks were cogs- Emotion of any kim
ie was looked down upon By him as IN
IN businesslike: so now he turned stoieal
# IL to his desk. and his copy elerl
5. thought he had merely been givin
& some orders TO the new man.
Is But ali through the day there was
lie peculiar light in the matter-of-fac
81 ewes of the chief. and when he went 1
A. his boarding house that night he di
lie not turn TO his books. as usual. bu
n sat gazing out across the twinklin
lights of the great eity. thinking.
p In the main Office few weeks late
n Mr.. Burton suddenly laid down hi
N pen.
n DO You know. True he said. cor