The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-27
STRONG AND STEADY
BY H0RAT10 AlGER. JR
CHAPTER XIV.
BY HORATlO ALCER. JR.


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 a 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-sufficient to make Nancy
rich, in her own opinion. But she was
not quite satisfied about the legacy.
''Thny say, Walter, that you'll be left
poor" she said. You'll need this money"
"No, 1 shan't, Nancy" answered Wal
ter. Besides, there's a lot of mining
stock that'll come to something-I don't
know how much
But l don't feel right about taking
this money, Walter"
you needn't feel any scruples, Nan
cy. 1 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 living"
81 shall get canoe, then, and I'll steer
1t on to fortune"
AT any rate" said Nancy, Il will leave
you my money when l die
So the conversation ended. Nancy
agreed, though reluctantly, to take the
legacy, resolved some time or other to
leave it 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.
80 you want to be a BOOK agent, Wal
teri" SAID Mir. Shaw. II can't say l think
very highly of this plan"
Il don't mean to spend my life at it.
l am more ambitious tnan tnat. But it
will give me chance to travel without
expense, and always wanted to see some
thing OF the world. You see, MIR. Shaw,
tnat, as l am SO young, even if | spend
year at this business, l shall not be
too old to undertake something else after
ward In the meantime shall see some,
thing of the world"
well, Walter, | won't oppose you. If
l had not SO. much confidence in you, l
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 l think l shall be wise
enough to avoid what will do me no
good"
so hope and believe. Now, what is
the name of this publisher you were
speaking Off"
'Pusner. He's of the firm of Flint &
Pusher"
Il have heard of them. They are an
enterprlslng hrm."
Walter a 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 l can
send you 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, | hope so. l don't mean to be
idle"
Il am sure you won't be, or you will
belle your reputation. Well, good-by,
Walter. Write me soon and often. You
know l look upon myself as in some sort
your guardian"
Il will certainly write you, Mr.. Shaw.
By the way, l 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 l thought it best to let it 20, to save
trouble"
Il 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. I'm go back and
pay the old institute 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 wav
without much trouble to the place of
business of Iessrs. Flint & 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 GEN
tleman, with a partially bald head, and
wearing spectacles. was talking with two
men, probably agents.
well, young man." said he, in rather
a sharp voice, what can do for you ?"
is Mr.. Pusher in 2" 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, then 7" In