Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-26
CHAPTER XIV.

had been his position at Mr.. Drummonds
from the new elasticity and cheerfulness
which he felt There had been something
gloomy and oppressive in the atmosphere
of his temporary home at Stapleton, and
he certainly had very little enjoyment in
Joshua's society. Mrs Drummond was
the only one for whom he felt the least
regard.
He passed few days quietly, renewing
old acquaintance and friendships. Nancy
Forbes had gone to live with a brother.
who was an old bachelor, and very glad
to have her with him. Her savings and
the legacy left her by Mr.. Conrad to-
gether amounted to thousand dollars. or
rather more-suficient to make Nancy
rich, in her own opinion. But she was
not quite satisfied about the legacy.
They say, Walter, that you'll be left
poor" she said. You'll need this money"
No, ] shan't, Nancy" answered Wal
ter. Besides, there's a lot of mining
stock that'll come to something don't
know how much"
But l don't feel right about taking
this money, Walter"
You needn't feel any scruples, Nan
cy. | can take care of myself l can
paddle my own canoe"
But you haven't got any canoe" said
Nancy, who did not comprehend the al
fusion. Besides, / don't see how that
would help you to a living"
Il shall get canoe, then, and III steer
it on to fortune"
AT any rate said Nancy, Il will leave
you my money when / die
SO the conversation ended. Nancy
agreed, though reluctantly, to take the
legacy, resolved some time or other to
leave 1t to Walter. If she had known
how little he really had left, she would
not have consented to accept it at all
The same evening Walter sat In the law
yers comfortable sitting room, and togeth-
er they discussed the future.
So you want to be a book agent, Wal
terE' said Mr.. Shaw. Il can't say l think
very highly of this plan"
Il don't mean to spend my life at it.
l am more ambitious than that. But it
will give me chance to travel without
expense and l always wanted to see some
thing of the world. You see, Mr.. Shaw,
that, as | am young, even if l spend
a year at this business, l shall not be
too old to undertake something else after
thing of the world"
We'll, Walter, l won't oppose you. If
i had not so much confidence in you, |
should warn you of the temptations that
are likely TO beset your youth, left, as
you will be, entirely to yourself. OF
course, you will be thrown among all
kinds of associates"
Yes, sir; but | think / shall be wise
enough to avoid what will do NE no
good"
so | hope and believe. Now, what is
the name of lns publisher you were
speaking OFF,
''Pusher. He's of the firm of Flint &
Pusher."
4 have heard of them. They are an
enterprising firm"
On Monday morning Mr.. Shaw handed
Walter pocketbook containing a roll OF
bills. You will need some money to de-
fray your expenses" he said, until you
are able to earn something. You will
find fifty dollars in this pocketbook. There
is no occasion to thank me, for l have
only advanced it from money realized
from your fathers estate. If you need
any more, you can write me, and | can
send you a check or money order"
This will be quite enough Mr. Shaw"
said Walter. confidently. 1T won't be
long before l shall be paying my way
at least, l hope so. l don't mean to be
idle"
II am sure you won't be, or you will
belle your reputation. Well, good-by,
Walter. Write me soon and often. You
know | look upon myself as in some sort
your guardian
Il will certainly write you, Mr.. Shaw
BY the way, | never thought to ask you
about the furniture of my room at the
Essex Classical Institute"
1T was purchased by the keeper of the
boarding house at sacrifice, it is true,
but [ thought il best to let it go, to save
trouble
II should like to see Lem" thought
Walter. with little sigh as he called to
mind the pleasant hours he had passed
with his school-fellow. IN 60 back and
pay the old institute a visit some time.
after I've got back from my travels"
Walter reached New York by ten
o'clock. Though his acquaintance with
the city streets was very limited, as he
had seldom visited it, he found his way
without much trouble to the place of
business of Messrs. Flint 4 Pusher. As
they did not undertake to do retail bust
ness but worked entirely through agents.
their rooms were not on the first floor.
but on the third. Opening the door of
the room. to which he was guided by a
directory in the entry beneath, Walter
found himself in large apartment the
floor of which was heaped up with piles
of books, chiefly octavos. An elderly gem
tleman, with partially bald head. and
wearing spectacles, was talking with two
men. probably agents.
We'll, young man." said he. in rather
sharp voice, what can | do for you?"
lis Mr.. Pusher in?" asked Walter.
He went out for few minutes: will
be back directly. Did you wish particu-
larry to see him."
Yes, sir
Take seat then, and wait till he
comes in"
Walter sat down and listened to the
conversation.
You met with fair success. them" in
ouired Mr.. Flint.
Yes, the book takes well. | sold ten
in one day, and six and eight in other
days"
Walter pricked up his ears. He Won
dered whether the book was the one rec
commended 10 him. If so. a sale of ten
copies would enable the agent to realize
twelve dollars and a half, which was GER
tainly doing very we'll.
Just as the agents were going out, Mr..
puslec hustled in. His sharp eyes fell
upon Walter, whom he Immediately rec
ognized.
''Ha, my young friend. so you have
found us out" he said, offering his hand
Yes, sir"
'Come TO talk on business. l hope?"
Yes, sir, that is my object in coming"
MIR. Flint" said Mr.. Pusher this is
young friend whose acquaintance /
made q short time since. l told him, if
ever he wanted employment, TO come
here, and we would give him something
to do