Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-12-02
NO HEAD FOR BUSINESS.

NO HEAD FOR BUSINESS.
Six years before the date Of our story
George Ewalt, an Iowa farmer, having
several thousand dollars of spare capi-
tai to invest, became silent partner in
the dry goods house of his brother, An
drew, in Philadelphia. He received, of
course, quarterly statements of the af-
fairs of the firm. In 1869, however, he
came to Philadelphia Unexpectedly and
walked into his brothers Office one cool
day in October. Andrew had grown
lean, anxious, gray-haired; he spoke
with measured slowness, and dressed
with scrupulous neatness. The Iowa
man was large and florid, his voice was
loud and breezy, his clothes hung loosely
about him.
"This town life is crampingp he
thought, discontentedly, cycling his
brother as they sat together.
II hope you are satisfied with the
way the business has grownP" said Mr..
Ewalt anxiously.
"0h, yes, certainly" glancing care
lessly through the glass door at the long
counters and shelves Of goods.
Your investment has paid as much
as you expected, George?"
4Very fair, very fair. But where is
Wallyp / came here to find my own
flesh and blood, man, not to look after
investments"
Walter?" uneasily. "He is at his
desk yonder. I have a great deal of
care and anxiety about that boy,
George" ais
Walter had been his favorite when a
child. The old mans face clouded.
"Wild, eh? Does he drink gamble ?"
my sonl No, nor severely. at
should turn him out of doors il that
We're the case But he has no stability; he
is headlong, reckless, cares nothing for
business. He is utterly worthless, in a
word" Mr.. Ewalt spoke with the en-
ergy of q man who had long kept
silence. "He is surely breaking my
heart, George. / meant to train him to
take my place in the house; he ought
by this time to know the, business in
every detail, but instead of mastering
it, he has joined baseball club, goes
to regattas, to the theatre, and drives a
fast horse in the park"
"Oh-ol i see" with a ameditative nod.
"That is he by the Window Fine,
manipulating fellow, Andy. Who is
the young man at the desk near him,
dark, quiet facep"
"That is my foreman, Leslie Craw-
ford. A thorough man of business. If
Walter had taken him as a model,
now"
Walter at the moment was whistling
dancing tune; Ibeg your pardon,
Les, you can't count for my racket"
ut does not annoy me-" glancing
furtively over toward Mr.. Ewalt's office
to eeif the racket was heard there.
''Isay, who is that old cove with my
fatherp"
~ really do not know"
Been there an hour and a half;
saved me lecture for that space of
time. Well, I'm off,"
"Going to leave the store for the
day% said Leslie, in the peculiar, dis
tinct, monotonous tone which for some
reason always rasped Walter to inces-
SAINT impatient outbursts.
"Yes, I'm going to leave it for the
day. I wish it was foreverr'
Don't like it to-day, eh?" slightly
lifting his smooth eyebrows.
Like it? / never liked it. I'm
stihingl The very smell of the flannels
siellens me! Do you know, I've been
just week learning the difference be-
tween real and imitation valenciennes
lace. Nice occupation for big lout
like me-" glanclng down at his sturdy
body and large hands; "I'm going for
horse and l scour the river road be-
fore night. l must get my breath"
What about that livery-stable bill 7"
said Leslie in the same tone, without
lifting his eyes from his pen.
Hush, Les. for heavens sake. What
abont all the other bills / owep God
knows what I'm to do. Snyder threat
ems to go to father with his"
swat will you do thenp"
"Dop Blow my brains out, / reckonI
It'sabout all theu I'm OF, to manure the
earth somewhere, I'm of no account for
anything. j begin to think fathers
right am worthless"
The lads eyes filed. He stood with
his hands in his pockets, staring gloom
lily out Of the window.
Leslie carefully wiped his pen and
put it In the rest.
Use" he said reaectively. III don't
know. You sing o comic song very
well, Walter
Walter turned flaming on him for a
moment, then he burst into a good hui
mored laugh.
You're cool hand, Crawford" he
said. II never saw an animal of youl
sort, precisely"