Chapter VIII. The Timid Mr. Gussing - Page 2

had certainly played the part of a friend in need.

But he did not stop there. Early in the morning he sought out Andrew Mallison and told the hotel proprietor of Mrs. Cullum's condition.

"I was thinking that you might be able to give her work in the hotel laundry," he continued.

The hotel man called up the housekeeper and from her learned that another woman could be used to iron.

"You can let her come and we'll give her a trial," said he.

It did not take Joe long to communicate with the poor woman, and she was overjoyed to see work in sight, without waiting for an advertisement in the newspaper.

"I'll go at once," said she. "I'll get a neighbor's girl to mind the children." And she was as good as her word. As it happened, she proved to be a good laundress, and Mr. Mallison gave her steady employment until her husband came from jail. Then, much to his wife's satisfaction, Sam Cullum turned over a new leaf and became quite sober and industrious.

Joe was now becoming well acquainted around the hotel and took an interest in many of the boarders.

Among the number was a young man named Felix Gussing. He was a nice individual in his way, but had certain peculiarities. One was that he was exceedingly afraid of horses and at every possible opportunity he gave them as wide a berth as possible.

"Don't like them at all, don't you know," he said, to Joe, during a boat ride. "Can't understand them at all."

"Oh, I think a good horse is very nice," answered our hero.

"But they are so--so balkish--so full of kicking," insisted Felix Gussing.

"Well, I admit some of them are," answered Joe.

There were two young ladies stopping at the hotel and the young man had become quite well acquainted with both of them. One he thought was very beautiful and was half tempted to propose to her.

On the day after the boat ride with Joe, Felix Gussing took the ladies to have some ice cream, and during the conversation all spoke of a certain landmark of interest located about three miles from Riverside.

"I have seen it and it is--aw--very interesting," drawled Felix.

"Then we must see it, Belle," said one of the young ladies, to her companion.

"Oh, I'm not going to walk that far," answered Belle, with a bewitching look at the young man.

"You might drive over," suggested Felix, without stopping to think twice.

"Oh, yes, I love driving!" cried one of the girls.

"And so do I!" answered the other.

"I will find out what can be done about a conveyance," answered Felix.

Being a good deal of a dude, and dressing very fastidiously, he did not much relish visiting the livery stable attached to the