Carl and the Cotton Gin

as was the custom of the McGregor family the new day was launched amid a turmoil of confusion. Hence it came about that although Carl made several valiant attempts to wa

his hat and coat and speed forth upon these commissions. And no sooner were they all fulfilled than the hour for his appointment wi

trians that he paid scant heed to anything but the gilt numbers that dotted the street. In and o

mysterious friend was engaged but if so Carl was blind to them. All that concerned him was to fi

end of it an oaken door panelled with ground glass that bore the hi

avy rug, abashed. There was, however, no time for retreat even had his courage failed him for the door behind him had no sooner clicked together than a boy

n I do f

orgot to ask it. But he told me to come to this number to-day at ten o'clo

ckets, the waiting messenger

d; but the instant the supercilious page read the name scrawl

you please," said

his hands and feet. He and his conductor passed through another door, threaded labyrinthian aisles flanked by gaping clerks

," announced he in

Carl's body rus

ognize as Rembrandt reproductions, lent charm and interest to the interior. But these details were of minor importance compar

t and heavy fur coat were removed he appeared surprisingly slender and youthfu

announced he, pointing to the c

aid te

say ten and get quarter past ten

his elbow and slipping into it the boy pe

rling we were talking of yeste

now, sir. I haven't seen any of the Ha

ger purse

nd you are still for helping the fa

get one;

nd of work ha

dn't though

e you go

s my age do go there, and that is where my father worked before he died. But Ma is hot on education. She says I've got to have one, and she insi

he man at the desk tilted back in

ve you very much time for a

have Saturdays and-and-spare hours at night. I'd

time for skating or baseball. People have to hav

rnestness. "Anyhow I get heaps of exercise and fresh

r turned as

little brothers and sisters, too, and when I'm not busy I help take care of them so Ma can se

he eye of the man at the

home if you take a position? How

h that spangled thing; and this morning she had the kids to dress and I had errands to do. It's awful hard to

h, in talking things o

e can get a chance. So does all Mulberry

ith an ivory letter-

l do," began he at last. "To

nod

ightened out by Monday morning I will let you begi

d the delight

ng the interruption, "Miss Harling finds work and the family do not need your aid, you must agree to pu

-e

s the

here next week. To-day is Saturday and I don't believe Louise will find work be

nt in the boy's voice the stranger appeared not to noti

. "I will be true to my part of it if you will be true to yours. I promise you that if th

k you

oncluded the man. "Go home and try to be satisfied. I'll keep t

Court-the

e friends of yours, the H

e there was sun, and because it entertains Grandfather and Mrs. Harling to look out the window. They can't ever go out and it ch

ne it is," assented the stranger

they h

pressed a bell in answer to whi

out, Billie," said he. "G

that try as he might Carl could not repress a conviction that in spite of h

pleasant to your face and give you the feeling they are going to do wonders for you. But when it

st the corner of Broad Street (or if it did not really lead him there his subconscious mind did) and once in the vicinity what more natura

y needed cheering. Carl found them in such high spirits that for

the instant he was inside the door. "The most wonderfu

ss as that I shan't

g, a miracle!" pu

quavered Grandfather Harling, who

is it?" the

ise with shining eyes. "I've had a let

white envelope h

ed and hand it down to my

e it," coaxed Carl,

e touched. It is going to be an

hat's happened," urged Carl, h

by his own hand. He says he hears that through some error my name has been dropped from the Davis and Coulter payroll, and he no

ly! I am glad! But h

e. When he does visit the mills he simply strolls through them as if they belonged to somebody else rather than to himself. Of course he doesn't know one of the workers and I've always fancied he didn't care much about us. But th

is white of hi

Mrs. Harling proudly. "Still, justice

Corcoran. Oh, I forgot to tell you that. That is almost the best of all. No! I am to be in the shipping department where the work is lighter and

im," put in Mrs. Harling. "Hal must learn to be more careful with his temper, his tongu

ot listening to Mrs.

lter found out about Louis

lurked a vague regret. This would mean that probably he would never see or hear from the mysterious hero of the red racing car again. Could the stranger have had any