The Florida agriculturist., 1889-02-13

IOr2 Eaid nothing. The president was sit
ting sidewise at his desk, tappihg<ongft lightly
with the fingers of his right hand.
''How would you like to be assistant secre-
tary, Mr., Horton, with a salary Of 5000
years / am considering the propriety of of
fering you that position"
"Not at such price," said Tom. His eyes
were big as saucers. All this was frightful
revelation to him. He saw only man moro
than double his age tempting him. &"I will
mako no figures that are not correct, he
added, firmly
Don't you think you are q triAe squeam-
ish?"
''No, SIR Tom began to get angry.
"And you decline::"
81 do, most assuredly."
"Very well, sir" said the president quietly
''You may go back to your desk"
+ Tom did go back to his desk-not to write
but to lay his head on it with q crushed SEN
sation about his heart. He did not doubt for
q moment that his discharge would soon fol-
low. OF course there would be some pretext,
but the discharge was sure to come Then
he thought of the assistant secretaryship and
the $4,000 year and Kitty, and got up and
took his hat and went out into the fresh air.
1t didn't seem possible for him to return to
the office. Indeed, he remained away till the
afternoon When he went to his desk he
found an order to go to the presidents office
Tom felt no more doubt as to what he was
called there for than of his own existence
He proceeded up the three or four steps which
led to Mr. Lester's room and stood again in
the presence of the official who held his des
tiny in his hands. II. L. f,.y,.-.s5 II, j..
''Mr. Horton" the president began in
matter of fact, business like tone, tthis being
the last of December, we are arranging our
force for the coming year. ..e.sss-.s.r.
Tom shuddered.
1--WE are going to- discharge several of the
clerks, as we have moro than we need"
1t was coming out as Tom had expected
He turned pale. e
''In fact we are to have a complete reor-
ganization. Mr, Lester stopped and looked
over paper on which there was long list
Of names Toms heart stopped, too
MIR Warren is to be vice president next
year." the president went on Tom was
obliged for the information. but didn't see
how it concerned him. M
"And Mr.. Minks is to be secretary in Mr..
Warren's places"
"Yes, sir. r g.,ns<tst 3
''There is to be a new assistant secretary
appointed to take charge of all the securities" !"
''Just So" said Tom, by this time scarcely
knowing what he was saying. He wished
his discharge would be spoken and over with.
A boy entered with telegram. Mr.. Les
ter read it and studied over it, Meanwhile
he seemed to have forgotten that he was not
alone
"AhI" he said, suddenly, "whero was l.
Oh, yes, remember"
"Mr Horton, you are doubtless a very
honest young man."
Tom did not reply. He saw no necessity
for taunts because he would not be dishonest.
'But very stupid one"
Still Tom had nothing to say. He stared at
the president.
'If you knew as much about the affairs of
this company as you might know, you would
see the absurdity of my asking you to tamper
with the statement Our net surplus is
$3.50 600"
Tom began to open bis eyes.
1--WE want some one whom we can trust to-.
take care of our So, 600, 900 of securities. Mr.
Warren recommended you, but the trust is
too great to bestow on any ono without at
least one test I have applied such test with
a satisfactory result"
If Tom had been wonder stricken before
during the interview, he was now paralyzed
with astonishment.
"You will be elected assistant secretary at
the annual meeting next week, and your SAL
ary will be $4,000 year.
"You don't mean it, sir, gasped Tom.