"
"Isn't that a good trait, sir?"
"Good, but unusual. Are you a schoolboy?"
"No, sir; I am a drummer."
Mr. Norris put on a pair of glasses and scrutinized
Carl more closely.
"I should like to see--just out of curiosity
--the man that you travel for," he said.
"I will ask him to call whenever he visits Albany.
There is his card."
Mr. Norris took it.
"Why, bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "It is Henry Jennings,
an old schoolmate of mine."
"And a good business man, even if he has
sent out such a young drummer."
"I should say so. There must be something
in you, or he wouldn't have trusted you.
How is Jennings?"
"He is well, sir--well and prosperous."
"That is good news. Are you in his employ?"
"Yes, sir. This is the first time I have
traveled for him."
"How far are you going?"
"As far as Chicago."
"I don't see what you can have to do with
Rachel Norris. However, I don't mind telling
you that she is my aunt, and--well, upon
my soul! Here she is now."
And he ran hastily to greet a tall, thin lady,
wearing a black shawl, who at that moment
entered the office.
CHAPTER XXX.
AN ECCENTRIC WOMAN.
Miss Norris dropped into a chair as if she were fatigued.
"Well, Aunt Rachel, how are you feeling this morning?"
asked her nephew.
"Out of sorts," was the laconic reply.
"I am very sorry for that. I suppose there is reason for it."
"Yes; I've been robbed."
"Indeed!" said Mr. Norris. "Lost your purse?
I wonder more ladies are not robbed,
carrying their money as carelessly as they do.
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