THE RESULT OF A FIRE.
On the following Sunday morning Robert attended one of the principal churches in Chicago and heard what he considered a very fine sermon on charity.
"I suppose we ought all to be more charitable," he thought, on coming out. "But I must say I find it very hard to have any charitable feelings for Mr. Talbot. I do hope he is treating mother as he should."
He was walking down State Street when he heard a commotion on the thoroughfare. A fire engine was coming along, followed by a long hook and ladder truck. He watched them and to his surprise saw them draw up almost in front of the tall office building in which Mr. Gray's cut-rate ticket establishment was located.
"Can it be possible that our place is on fire?" he cried, and ran to the office with all speed.
He soon discovered that the building was a mass of flames from top to bottom, the fire having started in the boiler room in the basement and found a natural outlet through the elevator shafts. He tried to get into the office, but the door was locked and he had no key.
"Back there, young man!" came from a policeman, as he rushed up to force the gathering crowd out of the firemen's way.
"I work in this office," answered Robert. "Hadn't I better try to save something?"
"Are your books in your safe?"
"I presume they are."