Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-03-25

that he appeared absent-minded and
preoccnpied, but two or three of his
| acknowledgements by the 8:45, who were
| in the same market, told the story OF
his capture by the pretty girl in the
train. and so accounted for his pecu.
liarity. He himself, however, was in q
state of anxiety to which he had long
been stranger. Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday passed, and no answer from
the mysterious Mr.. Fleming arrived.
Perhaps the old lady had forgotten to
forward his missive. Old ladies, 50
strangely mindful of long-past occur
rences, were, he knew, often ObliviouS
about matters present. Perhaps-but
he shuddered at the thought, and cast
it from him-for Phyllis was too good.
too honest. too much of lady, to be
so base and cruel; on the other hand,
possibly Mr.. Fleming was instituting
| inquiries. 1t was natural that an af-
fectionate father should do SO, and
every time Penn brought in a visit
or's name the merchant expected to
hear 'Mr. Robert Fleming" announced.
On the Friday afternoon he called in
Mr.. Penn.
kindly shut the door," he said;
Il have something of Importance to
speak to you about
Mr.. Penn obeyed, and anxiously in
spected his employers face.
'.Mr. Penn" began the merchant,
with preliminary clearing of the
throat, "you have been in my service
for some years. and you have given me
very general satisfaction in the perform
ance of your duties"
PENIS face frightened. Certainly a
rise in salary was coming, perhaps
something more substantial. But all
was dashed to the ground with the first
word of the great mans next sentence.
But" continued Greysark, ri have
been thinking the matter over very
seriously lately, and have arrived at
the painful conclusion that must dis
pense with your services at the expira-
ton of a month from this date"
The poor clerk gasped and clutched
the table for support, and would have
spoken, but for a magisterial wave of
Mr.. Greysark's hand
at is very evident to me-" continued
is needed in this business. In fact, 1
propose to take partner, and by so
acting to do away with the necessity of
paying handsome salary to a head
clerk
"Mr. Greysarkr' almost shrieked
poor Penn. '.Do hear me. 1 have
helped you to make this business. I
have been in this office for more than
twenty years. You have never once
had cause to find fault with me, and l
may conscientiously say that have
never given you occasion to. For more
than one reason 1 am precluded from
the possibility of getting another situa-
ton. My name, as you know. is
against me, and people would object to
me on the ground that l had brother
who had been in the police dock;
moreover, | am not fitted to occupy Il
clerk S desk in any other business.
Think, sir. l implOre you to think.
With one word you are turning an
honest man into the streets to beg, for
no fault of his own. l do not wish to
push myself forward unduly, Mr.. Grey
sark, but at such a crisis as this | am
forced to remind you that but for me
You might possibly not have found
business matters work so smoothly as
they have. If you discharge me with
the notion of Introducing new blood
into the house you will have to"
''Mr. Penn interrupted the mer-
chant, with a wave of the hand, 1--WE
must in this world be men of business
first and humanitarians afterward. |
have given your case my fullest con-
sideration, and in Acknowledgements of
your services, as well as by way of
compensation, l propose to make you
a weekly allowance until you get en-
ployment. But that you must go l
have made up my mind. You will,
please. make no further observations
upon the decision at which l have ar
rived, or l shall be obliged to request
you to leave my presence. l think it
but fair to tell you, however. that the
principal reason for my deciding to
take a partner is that am going to be /
be married-that is. when the consent
of the young lady's father has been OBJ
tanned"
"Well, sir" said the clerk, "of all !
periods in life, surely the eve of mar
riage should most naturally inspire
kind actions. You are about to make
yourself as happy as a human can pos
sibly be, yet you wish to inaugurate
that period by reducing to want and
ruin an old and tried servant. know
You too well, sir-or, rather, l think
too well of you-not to be sure that if
you carry out this latter intention your
conscience must prick. you in after
life"
''Mr. Penn" said Greysark, severely.
Il told you not to handy words with
me, so let me hear no more. l am
now going to Brighton. Do not omit
to forward all letters to my address
there. You will please be particular
about this. must say, Mr.. Penn, that
| am not a little astonished that, re-
as you must, what l have
done for you, and how with your tar
nished name you might long ere this
have been begging your bread but for
me, You should presume to offer me add
vice on my own affairs. But l will say
no more"
The clerk fingered in the room. as if
L.. \