The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-09-01

dreams for o moment that you would
| have doubted OF slipped. But, for his
part, this person writing is free to confess
that if he had sat on Bren's stool that
raw, gray April morning, he too would
have trembled and been afraid. He
trusts, indeed, that he would not have
failed even then. But he feels that it
would have gone hard; and he is not go
ing to be too hard upon little Bren If he
shall not stand fast.
Bren saw it all at fash. The error
was made by the interested party; their
shipping clerks book would never be
looked through. except for special refer
ence. Once done there would be an end
Of the matter forever. do not say Bren
thought Of taking the money. Con-
! sciously he did not think it over then; but
he saw it ell at the first glance. He sat
up and shut his teeth. What was the
matter with him what was he afraid
of He was no thief, he hoped. He
would not act hastily, indeed but he
would get at the facts of the case first,
and then he would do what he deliber-
ately should make up his mind was right.
He took up the bill--"Clasp knives, ra-
zors, Groman's traps, axes, spokeshaves,
levels, Dunderbone's fellers" (Bren
laughed derisively; that was Brewers
saw everlasting scrubbers, shovels,
picks, drawing room washers. In the
| lower left hand corner was written in
Travellers hand, "Gray" 1t was habit
Charley had, Ben knew, of putting the
| salesman's name on his bills. 1t was FRI
| day. There was cash enough in She
drawer. He counted out the full amount
and folded it into the bill and locked it in
the safe. He would show himself he
meant to act squarely. But he knew Half
felfnger had the name Of hard man.
If half he had heard Yves true, such q
mistake as this would ten to one cost the
man his place. It was no more than
right that he should have warning. Bren
wrote off note and sent the boy down
| with 1t.
The boy brought back an answer signed
"R. L. Gray" He lived at s Parade
place, corner Carroll, third floor. He
would be at Mr.. Brennan's service at
| o'clock.
Bren walked down Carroll street little
after 8. Eight Parade place was a
grocer's shop. It was q rather quiet
neighborhood. The houses were mostly
alike, of brick, with general shabby
! genteel appearance. Bren entered the
hallway and went up two lights of rather
steep and narrow stairs, He knocked at
a door, and it was opened by an elderly
man with gray hair STOPPING shoulders,
and thin nervous looking face.
'Is there Mr.. Gray living in this
house?" Bren asked.
my name is Gray" the old man an
swered yours. suppose is Brennan?"
Bren was surprised. He had expected to
find younger man.
Come in. Gray said, and drew up q
chair by the stove lit was raw nightl
Bren sat down. The room was poorly
furnished, but neat and quite home like.
A lady like person got up as Bren, came
in, and went out Old Gray sat opposite
Bren and waited.
"You will pardon me, sir, hope" Bren
began, ''if seem to DO intruding upon
your privacy. Let me assure you that
mean you no incivility, and have sufficient
reasons for what | do"
The old man bowed, and said nothing;
but he watched Bren's face with wonder
ing, half appealing regard, Bren went
on
You are in the employ of Messrs.
Hafelfnger & Coz"
II have been with the Hafelfngers,
father and son, for more than thirty
years"
''The father is dead, I believer"
George Haffeldnger died nine years
ago this month"
81 have heard he was good man."
Il do not believe there was ever bet
ter"
''Is his son like him?"
Bren looked up keenly at old Gray's
| face The old man started, and then an
swered coldly:
II do not understand you, sir. You
must really excuse me from discussing
with a stranger the character of my en-
ployers."
Bren said: IT will explain I happen
to know of an occurrence which nearly
concerns one of your firms men. have
repeatedly heard that this HaffeIfnger is
hard master. have been out of place
this winter; know what it means.
wish to wrong no man. If possible,
want to save this man trouble. thought
you could tell me how it would stand.
shall ask you only one question more.
Shall go on9" And the old man said.
go on" ~
Suppose, then. that it should come out
that one of your men. through careless
ness or accidental oversight, had COM
mitted an error which should involve a
loss to your firm say OF hundred dollars
Il ask you what would most likely come
OF it? l do not say this has happened.
say, If it shouldY
Gray looked straight into Bren's facs
and asked: docs the man known"
HE does not.
The old face turned quite PALE and
looked at Bren with pitiful, questioning
expression.
"Mr. Brennan, he began, ''Im an old
man. l served this mans father faith
fully the best part Of my life He said
the business owed as much to me as tc
him, have never been able to save.
have always seemed to have some sick
friend. some loss or misfortune, to keep
me down. I don't complain. | suppose
1t was my own fault. never had q
knack Of getting on. have my wife,
my daughter lying sick. and her tive
little children, dependent on me
row. If should lose my place, do moi
know what would become of us. know
nothing else; am too old to begin anew,
and nobody wants gray head If | could,
am not what was. cannot help grow
ing old, call no hard names. | have
been degraded and cut down. ] have now
barely enough to keep along. If this
thing should happen to me, should &c
into the street.
The old man leaned upon his hand and
looked at Bren, waiting for him to speak