The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-05-31

sound OF his own footsteps trudging
down Haverstock hill to no immediate
goal.
Yet still the world was kind. A wag-
on came creaking at his heels, slowly
overhauling him and unexpectedly
stopping when it did so. 1t was green
mountains high with country vege-
tables smelling notably in the clean
night air, and with this sweet Whit
of home and the past there came
hearty. elderly voice evidently hailing
Tom.
"Now, then, young man, If you want
lift. joomp oop!
Tom was not sure what he wanted.
but his feet We're sore, the voice liked
him, and up he jumped. And between
darkness and dawn-the quiet foot of
the sleeping hill and the half awaken
ed but already noisy purlieus of Tot
tenham Court road-the lucky. attrac-
tive fellow made another friend.
The wagner was a red faced. red
whiskered, freckle handed fellow. with
a genial. broad. communicative tongue.
Jonathan Butterfield was his name.
and he was a YOrkshireman only re-
Gently come south. as he said. with a
sigh which left him silent Whereup-
on Tom became communicative in his
turn and remarked that he. too. medi-
tated mOye-to India.
There's the good ship Jean advertis-
ed to sail on Monday. and I'm on my
way to the Office to see If they've a
bunk left. If there isn't l shall 90 on
to the docks and try my luck on the
ship herself. might work my pas
sage out. If not. I'll stow away"
You're that anxious to leave old
England
II am anxious to make my way"
"Ah, well!' sighed the wagner.
ave got a lad o. my own as far away
as you are going He writes US eanny
letters. but dear knows what we'd
give to see him back"'
But there was no end to the good
will of the Yorkshireman. who not on
ly insisted on paying for hot coffee at
an early stall. but fatty refused to 90
about his business until Tom promised
to accompany him to breakfast at its
conclusion.
Toms heart rose steadily with the
sun and was singing with brave re-
solve when at length the wagner re-
turned.
81 doubt I've been a long time" said
Butterfeld. "It he very near o
o'clock"
"Ten past" said Tom, whipping out
the golden nucleus OF his future for
tunes. which he had even then been
hugging in his pocket.
Tom tried to back ont Of the break
fast. but it failed. He tried again as
they drove past Fetter lane-he could
pay his way in Rolls buildings now
but this time the wagner whipped up
his horse and refused 10 listen.
mo, no." said he: "a promise Is a
!, promise, and warrant they'll be
proud to see you"
"You mean your wife and famlIyT
said Tom.
"Nay." said Butterfeld, Il doubt
you'll not see them there"
"Not at your house?" cried Tom.
, at isn't NINE" confessed the other.
ITS my wife's brothers. He drives a
hackney coach. and | use his stable
every other morning. Ne an my mis-.
sus live out at IIendon. and I come in
three nights week"
But you mustn't saddle these pe0-
pie with me. Let me get down at
once"
. Mustn't ~ chuckle1 the wagner.
"I1l take the blame. then. We're very
near there. and dashed IL that isn't
Jim on his way home 10 breakfast.
Jim: Jim"
And a hackney coach. crawling lei
surely along in rront, was pulled up
, as the c0aebnan turned round and rec.
ognlzed ButterGeld.
We'll. Jonathan. how are your"
"TIow's yourself. J..: Early and
, late. as usual. cLt This Is a young
gent who bns ridden In with the. He's
waiting till t Offices open. and |
: thought you'd give us both a bit of
, breakfast"
Always glad TO o'Ig, a gentleman. "
said tie coa"hman. looking hard. bu'
= nofdlng gpninlly q. Tom. Nor wouIi
, he either listen TO single protest 0r
apology from the youth. who found
himself at breakfast scarce ten min
utes later In a cozy Kitchen close 10
Blackfriars bridge
The hackney coarhman was a bury
I'D soldier, a jolly runian, with a good
brown eye. His wife was small and
+ spruce. watchful aud quiet. and per
, .hHps Tom liked her Ices She was kind
enough. however: inlnpd, the sympa
D tbetic interest shown by all in an un
Z known vagaboD1 was a circumstance
that touched Tom deeply, though Of Q
piece with all his most recent expe
riences and but another proof Of tht
D worlds Kindness.
o The old soldier had served In Indit
himself. lie was full Of practical ad
vice for Tom, who listened gratefully
but yawned twice when IL came on
g - n