Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

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Peter Gale ran it over briefly. Yate
could not tell why, but these were always
times of trial for him. II he should make
a mistake some day! And it always seem
ed us if Gale suspected him OF keeping
something back.
A hard, sharp. shrowd man was Petel
Gale, though there wasn't firm in the
city that stood higher than that of Gale
Co. Mr.. Fielding, the company, Travelled
the greater part of the time, and Gale
managed the indoor affairs.
1t was all right. Gale gave brusque
nod.
There's those invoices must be made
out tonight"
"Yes, sr'
"Thcrc's no sense in such an endless
string of holidays, that stop business anC
get men into lazy habits"
Yates glanced at the clock again. Per.
mps the master understood the hint, fol
he went off grumbling, and the man was
left with a good half days work before
him; on Saturday, as well, everything
must be ready for morning.
He was II rapid and true accountant
Peter Gale knew his value well. He fell
that he was worth higher salary, hu
business had not been over brisk for the
year or two, although "old Gale " was
making money fast enough
Something huttered down to the floor
Why, what is this? Barton Cassey's check
for one hundred pounds. Yates struck his
hand to his forehead in terror. How haC
he forgotten it?
Right in the press of business an hom
ago Casey had rushed in on his way tt
the railway.
"rm off to Ireland" he exclaimed
"and though that bill doesn't fall due til
the second of January I'd rather take i
up now and have it off my mind. Here
receipt this, Yates. Quick as lightning
man.
He had laid it aside to explain to Mr.
Gale. Then in the hurry of making "
the deposit it had slipped out of his mind
He was tired out mentally and physi
cally. Every nerve had been stretched anC
strained. The days work was hare
enough, but to do two in one was doubly
severe. So his thoughts were slow ant
halfterrifed AS he stood n moment think
ing what had better be done. To confess
his negligence would be to almost ruiz
him in Gales estimation. And just whe1
he needed to ask favor, too!
lie went on with his figures, trying tC
think of plausible way out of the diff
Guilty, but Gale returned and night wa.
coming on He slipped the check into his
pocket; there was no entry made of it il
the days ledger. He must trust to luck tC
make it right on Monday.
Gale went around in his stealthy, sus
picious fashion, Yates balanced his Ions
lists, made enteries, sorted papers. Hi
master chuckled little at his slaves I'll
pidity. 1t would have taken him weel
to get through with that amount of work
correctly He stood with the safe dool
open waiting for the books
Joseph Yates had meant TO get the
check in the safe somehow. A cold pers.
piration broke out on his forehead, for il
now hung over him like IL horror. The
door shut with its sharp, mysterious click
Yates reached for his overcoat, fumbleG
awkwardly, then turned.
"Mr. Gale"
"What now," was the gruff rejoind
er.
"Mr. Gale and Yates cleared hi.
throat" wanted to ask if you could
or would-advance me triAe from my
months salary"
His eyes were downcast now, and the
lines around the mouth twitched nervous.
ly under the soft, brown mustache. lie
had nerved himself to ask the favor for the
sake of his wife and children. For him
self-well, he would have starved sooner.
u don't do those things, Yates, and yor
know it. | pay man fairly when his
work is done, and not day before, and
never ask any man to pay me until my
money is due. | know you want it lo
some stupid nonsense, but poor men like
YOU had better save their money. Thi
holiday business is bad for poor men lik,
YOU"
He clipped off every word just as CHS
ell cuts bars of steel or iron with a merci
less thud.
Yates turned without another word
Outside the street lamps We're burnin!
dimly The storm was just beginning
fine sleet that blew out of the clouds il
spteful gusts. He pulled his coat COLA
over his ears, for the bitter wind nippeC
them, and almost flayed the skin on hi
cheeks where the curling beard did no
keep him warm. lie went stumblin!
along thinking. What had he done tha
misfortune should follow him, while sucl
IL man as Gale. who wrung the life bloc,
out of their fellow creatures, prosperet
and boarded their wealth? Gale withou
child in the world, and he longing for
crown to buy his little ones some gift
Oh, what cruel straits there were in hi
life! what narrow pitiless souls to max
them severer still! Was there any trutl
in his boyhood's lessons, in his manhood
beliefsp lie had never turned his fac
from any poor man; he had been so glat
to help one and another to send gifts thi
festive season. Was there any HEAVIER
that took these things into account3 Wa
there on this earth good will to men?"
He was not congratulating himself upol
his past good deeds. His mood was to-
faithless and bitter just now, and he ha,
done his from the delight Of giving pleas
ure rather than settled principles. For tel
years he had been a happy and prosperou
man, comfortable in circumstances, gener
Gus in heart. During that time he hat
married, and three children had been borl
to him.
Then came misfortune, losses, adversi
ty. He had paid his debts, given up hi
home and its pretty, simple luxuries, an,
retired to lodging. Suppose, instead, h
had looked out for himself, cheated righ
and left, and been rich man to-day. Tht
world might have sneered little, but i
would not have passed him by contemptu
ously, neither would his wife and children
be enduring privation.
And shiver passed over him, but i
was not altogether cold. Here in hi
pocket we're hundred pounds, abou
which there would not be question asket
for days. He could endorse it easy enough
1t was more than half years salary, ant
looked like fortune to him. He coul,
get somewhere and take fresh start. H
was tired of being ground down to tn
earth.
Evening paper, sang out shrill lit
tie voice at his elbow. "Oh, please,
want little money so much"