The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-12-02

reretfully put down his book and
vent to the door.
tall young man confronted him.
Tho Young man smiled. He was a
nleasant faced young man, who wore
ssomewhat dingy business suit and
soft hat. =.
be began
Thomas Eastman smiled grimly.
sYou are, or you wouldn't come to
ne"
The young mans smile broadened.
81 am not seeking pecuniary assist
spee. he said. "All desire is lit
tie advice.
Thomas Eastman stared at him.
whats the game?" he asked. al
read the papers pretty carefully, but
this seems to be new one
II should be sorry if it became COM
mon," said the young man.
There was something winning
about the young mans smile. The
older man felt drawn to him.
Come in" he said I'm a little
hard pressed just now for schemes to
kill time. Perhaps you can help me
out
Nothing at the present moment
could give me greater pleasure" said
the young man.
sit down. said Thomas Eastman.
sBut don't palaver. I'm not the sort
Of man that a fine line of talk can
influence"
"Then you wouldn't care for the
story of my life?" said the stranger.
The older man looked at him
keenly.
"The standard works of fiction are
quite enough for me-" he said in his
abrupt way. And now tell me what
you want and don't twaddle."
The young man ran his hand
through his thick hair.
81 cannot conceal a natural embar-
rassment," he began.
Pooh, pooh" cried the older man.
'Don't attempt to conceal the nom
existent. Speak right out"
Thank you for your kind encour-
agement," said the stranger He hes
itated a moment. 81 know that l am
occupying an unpleasant position. 1t
prejudices you against me-"
ut Doesn't take a mind reader to
find that OUT" grumbled the older
man.
You are business man, sir, a
man familiar with the ways of the
world, with it's weaknesses and its
limitations
Il admit it, Go ahead. I am a
business man."
"But retired"
-Eh! Who told you that?'
'The postman."
The old man growled.
If the United States Government
has begun to spread the news l sup
pose there is no use splitting words
over it. l have retired from busi-
ness. I'm sixty years old and fancy
I've done my full share of work. l
had a chance to sell out-end sold.
Now l mean to enjoy myself-in a
quiet way, of course. Does this suf-
hciently supplement the postman's S
official information"
The young man nodded.
Yes, thank you he said. "And
being out of business myself-al-
though not for the same reason-I
had an impression that you might
favor me with your sympathy"
The older man suddenly laughed.
That's good" he cried. "The man
who has battled with work all his life
is appealed to by a man who avoids
1t. You have keen sense of humor,
my young friend"
The stranger bowed.
II trust you didn't turn in your
own sense of humor as transferable
asset, sir, when you sold out"
The older man smiled grimly.
Il still have it with me-" he said.
otherwise you wouldn't be sitting
there. But, come. you said you want
ed my advice. Speak up"
The strangers face suddenly
frightened.
L hoped you would tell me, sir,
ne said, where l can stay all night
MY funds are rather low and 1t isn't
easy for a stranger to obtain employ.
ment at once"
He paused with his dark eyes on
the older mans face.
There was brief silence.
How old are you?"
@Twenty-eight."
l, %
Dickens"
Which of his stories do you en-
Joy the most?"
Nicholas Nickleby.'
The older man stared at his visitor
You can stay here tonight" he
muttered.
THANK you." said the stranger. -
aon t want to be burden" he added
what can ! do to make myself use
ful?"
The old man suddenly laughed.
Are you Il handy man, youngster?
think so. I've knocked arount
quite little"
Know anything about running I
house?p
We never had a house to run, Sir
put I'm not afraid to make mysel
generally useful"
That sounds good. Perhaps IL
give You a test you won't like. II
iact, you might as well understand
tnat you are going to earn you
nights lodging"
The young man smiled at this init
nation.
4 understand" he said. He stoo'
up. Awaiting orders, SIR"