Daily Honolulu press., 1886-03-18
sOLD DUMPS"
new York Ne,rs,l

They used to make fun OF him at the
Office He was queer old fellow, with a
solemn face, and what we thought ridicu-
lously polite ways He'd take of his hat
when he came in and say:
"Good morning, gentlemen. trust see
you all in good health this fine day" And
some Of the boys would grin and some
would nod-and some wouldn't do any
thing; but never could help standing up
and bowling, perhaps because knew that
my mother would have said ought to
do it
To be sure, he was only ON salary like our
selves, but had been at Rock g. Burtons
twenty-five years, and young fellows had
come and gone, and there he was. And,
you see, it was gentlenanly Of him, said;
and IL he was little snuff-colored creature,
with a queer little wig why he looked
somehow like gentleman, too.
! said 80 once to Merrivale, next desk TO
mine; but-well--I diln't try il again.
You see Merrvale was up to everything,
dressed elegantly, sneered at everything,
almost, and I'd coma from a country town
and he was city man aW
Nobody was down on "Old Dumps as
he was, especially after he made us that
speech about our conduct to the ladies.
Dumps made the speech, you know; and IL
in to look at him Pm sure she really
wanted to know the way to the street she
asked for; and how she colored and hurried
outl And Dumps, with his brown wig and
stiff ways louhed to me like the gentleman
that day; and Meirivale, with his fine curl
ing hair and black mustache and broad
shoulders, like the puppy.
"The man who calls blu III to the cheek
of good woman by look or tone must have
forgotten his mother" said Old Dumps
"When that lady asked you civil question,
she relied on her belief that you were gen.
tleman, Mr Merrivale When you answered
her as you did and spoke Of her as you did
any one could read your insulting thoughts
Mr.. Merrivale, and you did not even riss
from your seat, sir. You proved that she
was very much mistaken"
"Mean to say / am no gentlemanP said
Merrivale
"In this instance, SIR" said Old Dumps,
"you certainly have not conducted yourself
as one should"
Merrivale pulled his coat half off and
pullel it ON again.
"Pshaw," said he, "he knows he's safe.
There'd be no fun in knocking down an old
bag Of bones like that l could do it with
my little finger. But you attend to your
own business, will you, Old Dumps? l can
behave myself without your advice, and
that amt the first woman that's come in
just for sort Of Irritation. I'm used to that
sort of thing, am"
"Mr. Dumps is right this time" said l.
"BahT' said Merrivale. "You'rs from the
country"
"Thank God for it, then, my young
FRIEND" aid Dumps, and sat down.
After that Merrivale was never even half
way civil to Dumps, and the boys followed
Merrivale', lead But liked the other fell
low. When we met in the street I'd take
off my hat and shake han Is, and say some
Of those polite things that mother usei to
teach me to say.
Who were the boysa Why, there was
Merrivale, with his darling airs and his way
OF letting you know that he was favorite
with the women And Carberry, who didn't
care about style, but knew the city. And
Grab, who was hard and shre wd and smart
and had stocks of his own already And
Slower, who used to come with red eyes and
headaches, and boast that he had been
making night of 1t.
was lonely enough in the great city, and
should have liked to have Joined company
with Dumps and walk home with him from
church sometimes, but was afraid of meet
ing one Of the boys, and never did But 1
would bow to him, and we took our b ats off
to each other always.
had written to my mother that was do
ing well and liked my business, and would
be down TO see her on Sunday, when l was
sent for to go into the inner office; and there
Il can't go through with it'll can't even
remember certain details; but was charged
with being thief
You'd have to understand our particular
business, as we'll as bookkeeping, to know
how was supposed to have done it; but
they believed had robbed them of $400
They urged me to confess. l was inno-
cent and said So Then they told me that
they did not wish to be hard on me.
was young. The city was bad place for
boys. They would be merciful and only
dismiss me. Only dismiss me without
recommendation
All could say had no effect They had
proved me guilty before they accused me,
they sad; and at last staggered out into
the Off o. The boys were getting ready to
go home saw they knew what had hap
paned.
"None of you believed this of me-" said l.
"None OF you who know meln
And Merrivale said: "Look here, For
roster, you're very lucky to get off So" And
Carberry said: snow, come, we know too
boots OF good young man that does these
sort OF things" And Grab said: II say,
Forester. don't talk too much; you'll give
yourself away" And Slower said aOh, go
take glass of brandy and water. and don't
60 on like girl about it."
And what with shame and rage and
grief, could have died, when out OF his
dusky corner came little old Dumps, in his
little snuff colored overcoat, and held out
his hand
4Mr Forester" he said. Gpve watched
you ever since you've been here. / know
what you are. You are incapable of dis
honest act, and, what is more, will prove
it before l rest The man who respects
others always respects himself The man
who reverences God and honors his mother
will do no dishonorable thing"
He took my han in his arm, and, bowling
to the others, walked out into the street
with me. heard Grab and Slower anI
Car berry laugh, but Merrivale gave us a
furious LOOK and stood, white to the lips,
looking after u.
"Mr. Dumps" said I, Il thank you for
your confidence in me- deserve it-in
thie, at least; but it saves my heart from
breaking under this disgrace How shall
tell my nlotherP
@Don't tell her yet" said he. @Wait.
Others shall think OF you as do soon"
Then he went on in silence. He took me
to his own room, where he kept bachelors
hall He made tea for me and served me
with sliced pottei beef and thin bread and
butter.
The room was a strange, old-fashioned
place, enough like room in a story, and
there was the miniature of a young laiy in
the costume of forty vaars hefora nm Tho