Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-16

had sometimes seen him do that the
last thing before he left the Office. His
desk was still unlocked, and that was a
faint omen of hope to lack.
The gas had been lit now, and wit h
eager haste the two officers and their
young assistant searched among the
papers and through the tills. There
was no key to be seen.
At that instant the painting office
boy returned, bringing two machinists
with drills and sledges.
"How long will it take you to force
the door?"
"Can't tell. Several hours"
| There was no chance, then, of get-
ting Farley out aliveI
The partners were just ordering the
smiths to begin their work, when a
joyful "Hold on !! was heard from
lack, who still bent over the open
desk. He had found the key
The old gentleman reached for it
with trembling haste. They looked at
it and groaned They did not know
the combination. Farley changed the
numbers at will, and was not required
to communicate the secret to his en-
ployers. Only one officer of the conf
pany would possibly know it, and he
was gone far up town.
In the CONSERVATION of the moment
lacks mind was not idle. He had
! seized the hint of the penciled words
accidentally thrown under his eyes
some time ago, about the ''landing of
Columbus and the days of the year,
and his thoughts were busy, trying to
work it out.
The familiar old date gave him four
figures, the days of the year three
more. lack took the key from the
passive hand of the senior partner and
studied it. An arrangement of the
figures occurred to him. 1t might be
the right one but he dared not say
SO.
He stepped to the door and inserted
the key in the lock. Then he stood a
moment looking intently at the myster~
ious knob. There was a scale marked
around the rim of the revolving guard,
where it fitted the door, Noting care
fnlly its exact position, he began to
turn. Slowly, once and again, and
again, till he thought he had the nee
essary numbers.
With prayer in his heart he
watched the figure on the scale, and
listened for the mufied signal. 1t
camel Zach trembled so that he could
hardly stand.
Everybody in the room stood BREATH
less. His faltering hand pressed the
key. 1t moved softly in the oiled
tumblets of the lock. The great
door yielded, and swung silently
open!
There lay poor Farley, a lifeles S
heap, with his bald head pressed close
to the door, as if he had hoped to get
some air there. But lack did not
see him. He, too had tainted on the
floor.
1t was nearly an hour before the
physician, hurriedly summoned to the
spot, restored the unfortunate book
keeper to CONSCIOUSNESS. Then all
present stood ready to greet him, and
lack among the rest. 1t was a fear
fully narrow escape.
Two days afterward lack sat beside
Farley in his chamber at home The
old clerk was pale, but hopeful smile
frightened his face ''Zack.' said he,
81 think now am in your debt
What can I do for your"
eve won't talk about that" said
lack; "but / want to know if the firm
are going to give you vacation, Oh
any fair treatment at all 7"
eyes. l start tomorrow to g1
South. They paid all my expenses
and my salary goes on besides.
lack jumped up. His eyes lighted
with pleasure. ':And you, continued
Farley, care coming into the Office as {
clerk, at three hundred yearl"
| Zack could not express his surprise
and gratitude, but in honor of TIL.
grand turn in the fortunes of both She
two friends, they had a little private
dinner together that day, and in the
course OF it they toasted the firm in
cups Of chocolate.
ave reformed EN- sir.
"No, it was you that did it, Zaek. "
mo, it was you"
"Wrong, lack, ali wrong. Let's
compromise. 1t was our nerves
Mine gave out, and yours held on till
you made first rate guess that saved
my life.-Y Youths Companion.
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