The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1888-06-01
THE MYSTERY OF BAKE.

One fair sunshiny morning in March, Lau
sing Phillips was walking down town to hi
business place, the firm of TAFT, Brother 4
Co., No. = Wall street. New York. 1t wal
recognized as an estimable and reputable firm
in every respect except, perhaps-but tins
dark cloud on its fair fame was known only
to those officially connected with tin the
selection and retention of its office boy, Harry
Baker. commonly called Bake a youth against
whom every body in the business, from Presi.
dent Tatt to old Patsy, the furnace man, had
cause of grievance. Lansing Phillips, an
agreeable. eood tempered fellow in the main
as one would find from Harlem to the Bat
terry, nevertheless was frowning considerably
as he hurried along in the sunlight. Both
buttons were missing from his glove, fact
which he felt sure was directly traceable to
| the diversions of Bake, whom he had dis
| covered the day before arrayed in his tall hat
| and his best ulster (Which traled OH the dusty
floor. giving an imitation of Mr.. Phillips
walk and bearing for the edifcation of the
other clerks at luncheon hour. He knew, Also
that twas quite useless to complain of the dep
relations of the culprit in question. and that
this count in the indictment against Bake was
but one of many. When he reflected that the
promising youth had spilled bottle of ink
over the elder Tatts new writing desk and
box of choice cigars and gone unpunished. he
could but feel the futility of warning against
fate in this particular shape. 1t was pleas
ant enough shape, too. by the way-an active,
1.-THE young figure, full of life and movement.
with brown hair tossing and curling above an
open, handsome face, whose guieess blue
eyes looked straight into yours, with the most
sublime Indifference as to your wishes or
opinions, or, indeed, your existence general
ly.
For some time the advent of this hoy and
his subsequent outrages had been theme of
wonder in the Office, and also the fact that he
received five dollars a week and perquistes
for keeping the place in an uproar. But the
world learns to respect established conditions,
and the employees at Tatt's learned, in time,
Nor were there wanting dark hints
10 the effect that the elder TAFT. a bachelor OF
siXty-fiye, was under some special obligations
IN the matter of Bake. Old Patsey even went
80 far as TO trace personal resemblance be-
ween the two, who were about as much alike
Is huge, numbering Newfoundland dog and
/ little young deerhound. Bake was only
thirteen, he was in perfect health and in the
possession of sound lungs and limbs, and the
house of TAFT & Co.. suffered accordingly.
On these things Mr.. Phillips, having failed
o button his glove. pondered as he went
If his thought was checked and changed. As
he neared certain corner he saw coming
rom the opposite side of the street stylish
md beautiful young girl. who was crossing
lnder the horses heads with the fearlessness
,orn of long practice in dangerous art. In
Ter daintily gloved hands she carried large.
ough looking basket, which she set down on
he turbstone as soon as it was reached, and
hen returned rapidly over the crossing to Il
'oorly dressed old woman, whom she took by
he arm and conducted safely across. Lansing
TODD still in amazement. The beauty of the I
4.
Dice when she spoke, seemed TO rlvet him to
be SHOT.
"Never mind,' she was saving, with sort ,
( imperative kindness, stopping a flood of :
hanks from her charge a. they stepped up t
n the pavement. "Now, where do you want !
, 90! Essex street, Well, don't try TO walk. !
II the next corner YOU will find ear TO take
on there, !" transferring some pieces OF money !
rom her velvet purse to the old, withered .
and. II would 20 with you and see you /
,fely on. only I'm in a hurry, but-a blue =
ar, remember =
And here her eyes met Lansing's. lie was e
airing at her with undisgiised admiration. :,
ut the glance that dwelt on him for a second I,
r two seemed a calmly indifferent a Bake's
wn- bright, careless. scrufinizing. Then she =
lrnefand went down the street with a step y
ke air. 1t is needless to say that Lansing 81
'llowed her, but with a reverent heart. as m
ne might follow s:passiug angel. When at last :.
'e disappeared through the doorway of an Il
lmense Office building, Lansing breaihei a
essinr after her and went his way with -
range. SWEET warmth at his heart a. Of some =,
light. new-kindled fame. 10
II l. not 10 be wondered at that a. often es
GREATER a. he passed over that area of ~ =,
Ound from the spot where he had seen her ~
Il to the place HE vision lost her. he hi
Ifched and waited for another glimpse. II lIl
med a. II all the beautiful women In New X