'"
Harry looked more closely, and exclaimed, in astonished recognition,
"Fitzgerald Fletcher!"
"Yes," said the other, flushing with mortification, "I am Fitzgerald
Fletcher."
"I am glad to see you," said Harry, cordially, forgetting the old
antagonism that had existed between them.
He rose and offered his hand, which Fletcher took with an air of
relief, for he had felt uncertain of his reception.
"You have prospered wonderfully," said Fletcher, with a shade of envy.
"Yes," said Harry, smiling. "I was a printer's devil when you knew
me; but I never meant to stay in that position. I have risen from
the ranks."
"I haven't," said Fletcher, bitterly.
"Have you been unfortunate? Tell me about it, if you don't mind,"
said Harry, sympathetically.
"My father failed three years ago," said Fletcher, "and I found
myself adrift with nothing to do, and no money to fall back upon. I
have drifted about since then; but now I am out of employment. I
came to you to-day to see if you will exert your influence to get me
a government clerkship, even of the lowest class. You may rest
assured, Mr. Walton, that I need it."
Was this the proud Fitzgerald Fletcher, suing, for the means of
supporting himself, to one whom, as a boy, he had despised and looked
down upon? Surely, the world is full of strange changes and
mutations of fortune.
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