The Argosy — page 318: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

In the Past. 299 that I should have taken a fancy toa Dewar. I dare say the name is common enough, though. MHe’s a nice boy, and I believe there is good in him. He may do good for himself and the world—depends, I should think, upon how the world treats him, for he’s proud and headstrong, and wants ballast, I fancy. I wonder now what made him leave home.” And still wondering, Mr. Carson dozed off into dreamland. When Frank woke from the deep, refreshing sleep which had kindly visited him, he was startled to see, by a little carriage clock upon the dressing-table, that it was exactly midday. Springing out of bed, he began to dress; and then he lighted upon a little note which was stuck in the looking-glass. It said: ** DEAR DeEwar,—I shall run off to rehearsal and leave you to sleep it out. I shall return about two. In the meantime make yourself as happy as you can. Summon breakfast, about which I have left orders, by pulling the bell at the sitting-room fireplace. Books, writing materials, &c., are in the sitting-room. In fine make the best of the den till I return. Then we will chat. Yours, JOHN CARSON.” “John Carson is like one of the genii we read of in fairy tales,” soliloquised Frank, warmly. “As good as he is mysterious. Strange that one finds good where it is least expected. Carson is a million times the superior of the fellows I called my friends; and yet [ never thought his acquaintance worth cultivating. What is the old cynical proverb? ‘Go to strangers for charity, to friends for advice, and to relations for nothing.’ ” In an hour he had bathed, dressed and breakfasted, and then he spent the time until his host returned in looking out on the square, and trying to plan out his future. “Well,” said Carson, as he entered the room: “how do you find yourself? I hope you haven’t been very dull, caged up here alone.” “Indeed, I’ve not, for I’ve been thinking of your kindness,” replied Frank, gracefully. ‘And I should like to try and thank you before I go.” ‘Kindness! Nonsense. But why talk of going so soon.” “Well, I mustn’t repeat last night’s mistake. You know I must find lodgings; and in any case I don’t wish to take advantage of your good nature by lingering here.” ‘““T’ve thought of rooms for you,” replied Mr. Carson. ‘‘ And if you don’t require anything particularly luxurious you might be suited in this house.” “On the contrary; I want something particularly cheap. Until { can earn a little money by writing, which I hope to be able to do, { must live as inexpensively as a Chinaman, for I have only three or four pounds in the world,” acknowledged Frank, candidly. CcomicoookKks