"Not I. Now that Walton has got well learnt, I don't need another workman. I shall respectfully decline his offer."
Both Harry and Ferguson were glad to hear this, for they felt that
Clapp's presence would be far from making the office more agreeable.
"Here's a letter for you, Walton, also post-marked St. Louis," said
Mr. Anderson, just afterward.
Harry took it with surprise, and opened it at once.
"It's from Luke Harrison," he said, looking at the signature.
"Does he want you to send him thirty dollars?" asked Ferguson.
"Listen and I will read the letter."
"DEAR HARRY," it commenced, "you will perhaps think it strange that I have written to you; but we used to be good friends. I write to tell you that I don't like this place. I haven't got along well, and I want to get back. Now I am going to ask of you a favor. Will you lend me thirty or forty dollars, to pay my fare home? I will pay you back in a month or two months sure, after I get to work. I will also pay you the few dollars which I borrowed some time ago. I ought to have done it before, but I was thoughtless, and I kept putting it off. Now, Harry, I know you have the money, and you can lend it to me just as well as not, and I'll be sure to pay it back before you need it. Just get a post-office order, and send it to Luke Harrison, 17 R—— Street, St. Louis, and I'll be sure to get it. Give my respects to Mr. Anderson, and also to Mr. Ferguson.
"Your friend,
"LUKE HARRISON."
"There is a chance for a first-class investment, Harry," said
Ferguson.