The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-09
A SUDDEN CHANGE OF BASE.
BY ALEX. SWEET.

Tor one evening not long since when there came sharp ring at the door bell. The merchant, who was noted for his gruffness toward his employees, went to the door and was surprised and angered to find his clerk, Mir. Slimly, young man against whom the merchant had 8 prejudice, and whom he intended to discharge on the first of the month.
 "Well, sir, what do you want?" he asked in surly tone, holding the door half open, but not inviting the clerk to enter.
 "Mr. Gouge, came to see you on 8 matter of importance"
 A scowl passed over the merchant's face. "Mr. Slimly," he replied sternly, II think you have been with me long enough to know that never transact any business at my house. will be at the office on time tomorrow morn ing, and I hope you will be there, too, and on time."
 'I know it, MT. Gouge, but this 8 matter to be attended to st once, so thought"
 "I know what you are driving at," interrupted Gouge, "and if it is about increasing your salary want you to understand that meant what I said when told you on New Years day that there would be no increase"
 "But that's not"
 "And as for shorter hours, if that's what you're after, tell you ones for all that I'll not have it. Your hours are too short already"
 "It is not that; it is something that concerns you"
 "I told you that I don't transact any business at my house, but if you have forgotten it I'll say it over once more."
 of you would only listen to me, MT. Gouge."
 "My dear sir, my supper is waiting. o-morrow Pll listen to whatever you have to say"
 "I expect my uncle on the train, and"
 "I don't want to know anything about your relations, but if you ex- pect me to pay you your salary while you are skylarking all over town with your uncle can tell you right now that you are mistaken"
 "But my uncle"
 "I tell you once more l don't care 8 curse about any of your uncles. Pm not interested in the pawnbroker bus iness."
 "All right, MT. Gouge. I didn't mean to bore you"
 "But you are boring me-"
 "Pm sorry I disturbed you. My uncle is the post settler at Fort Con- cho, and he usually buys about $10,- 900 worth of goods. have received a telegram to the effect that he is go- ing 10 arrive this evening on the train, and thought-Lut never mind-Pm keeping you out here in the draught. Good night, MT. Gouge."
 The clerk walked towards the gate, but Gouge, who was in his slippers, followed him and seized him by the arm.
 "You ain't going to run off this way, MT. Slimly."
 "It's mere matter of business, and, !, ss you say, the store is the proper place to discuss it, only know thai Sam Oppenheimer will gobble him up as soon as he hears that he is in town. I thought perhaps I might persuade him to make his purchases of our firm, but Pm boring you. Good night~
 "Great Heavens! MT. Slimly, don't talk that wayl You can take joke, can't you, particularly when it comes f from a personal friend. When does the train get here2" "At nine forty i've" "We will meet him at the depot when the train comes in. I'll order my ! carriage at once."
 "But your supper is waiting" 1 "Confound the supper. We mustn't let your uncle go to an hotel. I'll r bet Sam Oppenheimer is laying for 7 him at the hotel right now. We will bring him right here to my house and all of us will have supper to- , gether. He is my guest while he Is in San Antonio" "I don't want, to bother you with my relations, MT. Gouge." "It's no bother. By the way, Slimly, Pm glad you came up. Pve been thinking of raising your wages. You r ought to have shorter hours, too, and while your uncle is here you must take him out and show him the old Spanish missions and the Alamo. My carriage is at your disposal. We must not neg lect your uncle while he. is in San Antonio. We must keep him so busy seeing sights that Sam Oppenheimer won't get a chance at him. Let us go back into the parlor, Slimly, my dear boy, and have . snifter while the horses are being put in the carriage" Il And, arm in arm, Gouge and Slimly entered the house. Anon the loud