I
play billiards with him sometimes."
"He seems to like Milford."
"I don't know. He's over at our house every evening."
"Is he?" asked Carl, surprised.
"Yes; he's an old acquaintance of Uncle Julius.
I don't know where they met each other,
for he won't tell. He said he and uncle might
go into business together some time. Between
you and me, I think uncle would like to get
rid of him. I know he doesn't like him."
This set Carl to thinking, but something occurred
soon afterwards that impressed him still more.
Occasionally a customer of the house visited
Milford, wishing to give a special order for
some particular line of goods. About this
time a Mr. Thorndike, from Chicago, came to
Milford on this errand, and put up at the
hotel. He had called at the factory during the
day, and had some conversation with Mr.
Jennings. After supper a doubt entered the mind
of the manufacturer in regard to one point,
and he said to Carl: "Carl, are you engaged
this evening?"
"No, sir."
"Will you carry a note for me to the hotel?"
"Certainly, sir; I shall be glad to do so."
"Mr. Thorndike leaves in the morning, and I am
not quite clear as to one of the specifications
he gave me with his order. You noticed the
gentleman who went through the factory with me?"
"Yes, sir."
"He is Mr. Thorndike. Please hand him this note,
and if he wishes you to remain with him for company,
you had better do so."
"I will, sir."
"Hannah," said Mr. Jennings, as his messenger left with
the note, "Carl is a pleasant addition to our little household?"
"Yes, indeed he is," responded Hannah, emphatically.
Pages:
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120