The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-30

"pm going to be director in this COM
psny."
al guess you're going to be an inmate
of a lunatic asylum" Mr.. Blatchford re-
marked, with astoDished cheerfulness.
"That seems as unlikely, to me, as the
other thing does to you," said Crombie.
Hereupon Mr.. Blatchford became sar-
castically deferential. "And just about
when do you propose to become direc-
tor ?" he asked.
"In the course of month. The elec-
ton, believe, takes place in December"
"Quite right" said his senior, whose
urbanity was meant to be crushing.
Meanwhile you will need leisure to at
tend to this little matter. Suppose l
oblige you by saying that the company
has no further need of your services 2"
"Suppose you do. What then ?"
Mr.. Blatchford gave way to his anger.
"What then 2 Why, then you would have
to go; that's all. You would be thrown
out of employment. You would have to
live on your principal, as long as there
was any and afterward you would be
obliged to find some other work, or beg,
or borrow, Or"
"That's enough" said Crombie, rising
with dignity.
"No, it isn't" the treasurer declared,
"for you don't seem to understand even
now. 1 discharge you, Mr.. Crombie, on
the compsny's behalf, and you may leave
this Office at once"
Crombie bowed and went out. "Fm
going to be director, all the same" he
told Mr.. Blatchford before he closed the
door. Then he collected the few articles
that belonged to him from his desk, and
departed, free man. He had his future
to himself or else he had no future worth
speaking of /; he wasn't sure which. New
ertheless, he felt quite happy. Such a
result as this had seemed to him, in the
prospect, hardly possible; but now that it
had arrived he was not discounted. I'm
bounded courage seemed to rise from the
stout soles of the alien boots, percolating
through his whole system. He was sur
prised at himself He had intended to
use more diplomacy with Mr. Blatchford,
and it was no joke to him to lose his
place. But instead of feeling Respondent,
or going at once in search of new employ
ment, he cheerfully went about making
calls on several gentlemen who, he thought,
might be induced to aid in his ambitious
project. His manner was that of a per-
son sure of his powers and enjoying a
well-earned leisure. 1t had its effect.
Two or three stockholders of the company
joined in agreeing with him that i'm
proved methods could be introduced into
its management, and that it would be a
good thing to have in the board, say, two
young, fresh, active men-of whom Crom-
bic, by reason of his experience and train
ing, should be one.
al own little stock" said the deposed
clerk, who had taken the precaution to
obtain couple of shares by great effort
in saving. Besides, not having any
other engrossing interests at present,
could give my whole attention to the COM
pany's affairs"
"Quite so," said the merchant whom
he was addressing, comfortably. "We
must see if we can get together a major.
ity: no time to be lost, you know"
"No, sir, l shall 60 right to work ;
and perhaps you will speak to some of
your friends, and give me some Names"
Certainly. Come in again pretty
soon will you ?"
Crombie saw that he had good foun.
dation to build upon already. Blatch-
ford was not popular, even among the
other directors and sundry stockholders,
as we'll as people having business with
the company, had conceived a strong dis.
like of him on account of his overbearing
manners. Therefore it would not be
hard to enlist sympathy for movement
obnoxious to him. But it was imperative
that the self-nominated candidate should
acquire more of the stock; and to do this
capital must be had. Crombie did moi
see quite how it was to be got: he had
no sufficient influence with the bankers.
The afternoon was nearly spent, anG
he trudged up town, thinking of the
ways and means. But though the prob
lem was far from solved, he still contiueG
in state of extraordinary buoyancy
Those shoes, those shoes He was 81
much impressed by their comfort and tn,
service they had done him in making {
good appearance that he resolved to get {
new pair of his own. He stopped ant
bought them; then kept on towards TIL,
Lorne, carrying his purchase under hi
arm without embarrassment. The COLI
drizzle had ceased, and the sunset cam
out clear and golden, dipping its brigh
darts into the shallow pools of wet OF
the pavement, and somehow minglinl
with his financial dreams dream of tina
fair hair that gave glory to Miss Blanche
face.
, On regaining his modest apartment h
, sent for the boot-boy, and inquired tn
, whereabouts of his missing shoes.
Couldn't tell you, sir" said the servant
"Pretty near all the mems boots in tn
house has gone out, you see, and they
, only be coming back just about now. II
, look out for 'em, sir, and nab 'em as 500
, as they show up"
"All right. Whose are these that Nv
been wearing?"
, The boy took them, turned them ovel
and examined them with the eye of
connosseur in every part.
"Them should say, sir, them wa
Mr.. Littimer's."
, Crombie blushed with modification
OF all the jewellers in The Lorne, this wa
l the very one with whom it was the mos
8 embarrassing to have such complication
l occur; and yet, strange Inconsistency
he had been longing for any accident, n
matter how absurd or fantastic, tina
could bring him some chance of an az
t quaintance with Blanche.
"Take these boots, dry them RICH
t away, and give 'em q shine. Then carr
0 them up to MIR. Littimer's rooms" II
v | gave the how a nuartar ha waa hacnmin