Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-06-01


salary, and for reasons with which trust you
are acquainted, seek another position.
7. V. KNICKER,
President Drovers' Bank.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. Is, 1887.
How many times John Jones had read
this note he could hardly have told.
"Reasons with which trust you are &C
quainted." He, the cashier of the Dro-
vers' Bank, dismissed for reasons with
which he was acquainted. What did he
mean? What were the reasons, and why
was he supposed to be acquainted with
them! These were some of the ques-
tions which he was putting to himself as
he sat in his room almost stupefed.
He did not fear inability to procure
another situation. John Jones was too
well known and had been too faithful in
his services at his bank to fear that; but
why was he dismissed?
Well, he couldn't find out until the
next day, unless, to be sure, he called
upon Mr.. Kncker at his home, and that
John couldn't do in the state of mind he
was in just then.
The feeling of injured innocense is
not altogether unpleasant after all, and
John finally dispersed the CONSTANT y re.
curing questions, and prepared to go
out. He would go and see Beth, his
Beth, and together they would talk over
the matter, and he would decide what
to do.
John Jones had been sick all day. A
blind headache had begun to bother him
before he had left the bank the dav be-
fore, and had grown constantly worse all
that night until when morning came he
was unable to go to his business. The
headache was forgotten now; occasion
a throb of pain would make him vince
physically, but his thoughts were too
thoroughly occupied with that uuac-
countable note to realize the pain.
He soon left the house and decided to
walk up Chestnut street and thence to
see Beth. He saw no one, did not even
feel the exertion of walking, until he
brought up witha bang against gentle
man who was going in the opposite di-
rection. He mechanically apoogized
and started on, but soon did the same
thing again, and saw he was unable to
think about the present, even enough to
dodge his fellow pedestrians. He called
cab and gave the driver orders to take
him to Beth's home. Before he realized
that they had started he Was aroused by
the sudden pulling up of the vehicle, and
the man, clambering down from his seat,
opened the door and stood waiting fol
him to get out. He did so, and started
up to ring the bell when the driver called
after him. He had forgotten the mans
fee. He paid him, and then pulled tht
bell.
The door opened and he passed in no
speaking to the servants who admitted
him. He seated himself and didn'
move for three or four minutes. Thi
time it was the servant who aroused him
"Who do you wish to see, sir %
John then noticed for the first tim,
that he had never seen the man before
He turned to him, and the man started
back and asked him if he were ill. Johl
paid no attention to his question, bu
told him to tell Miss Hughes that Mr.
Jones was in the parlor. Then he set
tied into his former position and die
not move again until Mr.. Hughes en-
tered and said:
"Well, sir 2"
John looked up and asked for Beth.
my daughter is engaged at present,
said Mr.. Hughes.
Beth engaged when he, her betrothe,
husband, was waiting to see her Tha
was very strange; he couldn't under
stand it. Bnt he said: every well,
will wait"
"Miss Hughes will be unable to sc
you this evening and requested me t
give you this package. am sorry, MI
Jones, but / must beg you to discor
tinue your calls"
Great God What did it mean job
was thoroughly, painfully wide awak
now, and sprang to his feet.
i" Bertha can't see me, and you ask m
to discontinue my visits Please te
me why ?"
He was now standing perfectly straigh
and gazing composedly but intently 9
Mr. Hughes.
I" trust that you understand th
reasons, MIR. Jones, as well as do, sal
Mr.. Hughes, with peculiar look.
Almost the identical words Knickc
had used in his note. John turned witt
out word and left the house. He di
not put on his overcoat, although til
night was cold. He tipped his hat ovt
his eyes and walked He now realize
how sick he was. His head throbbe
until he thought 1t would burst. VIII,
did he care2 1t even made him smile
little to think of it, He pulled his h,
down hard, so hard that its tlghtne
hurt him. He wondered if that woul
make his head ache any harder. I
wondered if his head could ache al
harder. If it could he should like
have it. He didn't notice where he W
going, but suddenly surprised himse