The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-10
ADVENTURE TX.
: THE STOCKHOLDERS CLERK

man, of the class who have been labeled
cockneys, but who give us our crack
volunteer regiments, and who turn. out
more fine athletes and sportsmen than
any body of men in these islands. His
round, ruddy face was naturally full
OF cheeriness, but the corners Of his
mouth seemed to me to be pulled down
IN half-cOmical distress. It was NOT.
however, until we were all in a first,
class carriage and we'll started upon
our Journey to Birmingham that 1 was
able to learn what the trouble was which
mad driven him to Sherlock Holmes.
"We have clear run here of seventy
minutes,' Holmes remarked. II want
you, MT. Hall Pycroft, to tell my friend
your very interesting experience ex-
actly as you have told it to me or with
more detail if possible. It will be of use
TO me to hear the succession of events
again. 1t IS a case, Watson, which may
prove to have something in it, or it
may prove to have nothing, but which,
at least, presents those unusual and
outre features which are as dear to You
as they are to me. Now, Mr. Pycroft
shall not interrupt you again.
Ouf young companion looked at me
with twinkle in his eye.
nThe worst of the story isl said he,
tnat | snow 81 myself up as such con-
-ouiA"Su !oOl. VI course 1T may work
out al! right, and I don't see that I
could have done otherwise; but # I
have lost my crib and get nothing in ex-
change [ shall feel what soft Johnnie
l have been. I'm not very good at
telling a story, DR.. Watson, but it is
like this with me:
~ used to have billet at Coxon &
Moodhouse's of Diapers Gardens, but
they were let in early in the spring thru
the Venezuelan loan, as no doubt you
remember, and came nasty cropper.
had been with them five years and
old CoXon gave me ripping good testi-
monlal when the smash came, but of
course we clerks were all turned adrift,
the twentyseven of us. I tried here
and tried there, but there were lots of
other chaps on the same lay as myself
and it was a perfect frost for a long
time: L had been taking three pounds
about seventy of them, but I soon
worked my way thru that and out at the
other end. | was fairly at the end of
my tether at last and could hardly find
THE stamps to answer the advertisements
or the envelopes to stick them to. ]
had worn out my boots padding up
office stairs and I seemed just as far
from getting a billet as ever. -
AT last I saw vacancy at Mawsor
firm in Lombard street. dare say
D.: G. is not much in your line, but I can
tell you that this is about the richest
house in London. The advertisement
was to be answered by letter only. ]
sent in my testimonial and application
but without the least hope of getting
it. Back came an answer by return
Monday | might take over my new
duties at once, provided that my ap
pearance was satisfactory. No one
knows how these things are worked
Some people say that the manager Just
plunges his hand into the heap and takes
the first that comes. Anyhow it was
my innings that time and don't eve
wish to feel better pleased. The screw
was pound a week rise and the duties
just about the same as at CoXon IS.
"And now I come to the queer par
Hampstead way, II Potter's Terrace
! Well, was sitting doing smoke tina
, very evening after had been promised
, the appointment, when up came m,
T landlady with card which had CAR
! thur Primer, Financial Agent" printed
upon it. I had never heard the nam
, before and could not imagine what h
wanted with me; but, of course,
, asked her to show him up. In he walked
:, middle sized, dark-haired, dark-eyed
: black-bearedd man, with a touch of tn
, Sheeny about his nose. He had a bris]
. kind of way with him and spoke sharp
ly, like a man who knew the value O.
time. ID. .~-.,-.~- .---,~. -
S Mr. Hall Pycroft, believe9' sal
t he.
a eyes, sir,'' I answered, pushing
chair towards him.
: "Lately engaged at Coxon & Woo
}. house 's?' ms
o "And now on the staff Of Nav
son 's?' 49,.
".Quite 500 -.
|. "Well,' said he, ttthe fact is tina
;. I have heard some really extraordinar
stories about your financial ability. 70
e remember Parker, who used to be Coz
d about it, ..s
Of course 1 was pleased to hear thi
d had always been pretty sharp in TIL
office, but I had never dreamed that
I was talked about in the city in TIL
fashion. Hills
"You have a good memory9' said HI
g "Pretty fair" I answered. modesto,
- "Have you kept in touch with til
work?" he asked.
u eyes. .read, the stock-exchange Ii:
every morning.
Q "Now, that shows real application!
it he cried. 'FThat is the way to prosper
t, You won't mind my testing you, wi
J. you? Let me see. How are Ay
e shires?' Page
e ga hundred and six and quarter
hundred and five and seven eighths.
g "And New Zealand Consolidated?
d GA hundred and FOUR
% "And British Broken Hillsa'
e ESeven to seven-and-slx.
It "Wonderful!' he cried, with h
m hands up. This quite fits in with a
y that I had heard. My boy, my DO