Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02
CHAPTER III.
THE CITY MERCHANT


The chief-the sole partner-the head Of tbe
house-sat in his private Office. No study or
smoking room Of any counting house was more
comfortably furnished than this private Office.
pile of letters unanswered lay upon the grea,
table beside the blotting pad a shallow basket
contained the letters which he had written O.
signed; there were bundles of papers tied uu
and Endorsed. On either side of the fireplace
was long. low chair; on a small table in the
window stood the luncheon trav, The chief
had taken his chop and pint OF claret and was
now sitting in one of those low chairs his feet
stretched out before him, in complete physical
ease. In the rooms without he knew that his
managers. heads of departments and clerks
were all diligently at work for him. 1t makes
a man comfortable only to think that peonIe
are at work for him. Most OF US when we are
not ourselves at work have got the feeling of
Improbable service. Not SO Mr. John Stoke
of Ihreadneedle street, city. He knew that
his people were working for him to what is
called pretty tune. As he rolled his cigar
between his lips that tune melodiousiy rang in
his ears.
Mr.. John Stoke was now q man of ffty-fve
or so. The kind Of face and the expression
upon 1t are not uncommon in the city-they
belong to certain type Of city men-and those
who have IL are generally successful. 1t is a
masterful face. II any of Mr.. John Stokes
servants fail in their duty they know better
than to ask for mercy from such O face. Nell
son himself did not reckon more confidently
than Mr.. John Stoke on every man doing his
duty.
He lay back in his chair and watched the
wreaths of smoke, listening to that pleasant
tune-the parable Of Dives quite forgotten.
Presently the door opened and q young man
stood in the doorway-a tall and handsome
young man-you have already seen him in the
walk by the riverside.
in uarr -
pleasantly; ''shut the door and come in"
"You said you should want to speak to me
about half-past two."
"Yes, l did Well, my boy. thought we
might have few words, perhaps two or three
just to understand each other. Sit down. Take
today, are you not?"
1T is my birthday" The young man looked
anxious, yet expectant of some pleasing an.
nouncement. One can only be five-and-twenty
once in life. Besides, things had been prom.
ised.
Yes" his father continued, looking crit.
ically at the ashes Of his cigar. "Yes, yes, five
and-twenty. l was partner before that age
before We sank the shop and became an Office VI
There was the shop though, to begin with, VI
said the son.
Undoubtedly, and very good shop. too.
VIII be forgotten. People talk about il when
they 60 home from my dinner parties; when
they have had a fortnight among my birds,
wita champagne up to the eyes every night,
they Singer over the shop in the train going
horne; when they have been on q cruise in INV
yacht, with everything of the very best-oh,
yes the more you do for 'em the better they
remember 1t; the more they sneer and Singer
Our friends: dear boy, will not readily forget
.ae shop: 1t wasn't for feeling how green
taey get with envy I'd never have any old
friends in the place at all"
II don't see why We should want h forost II.
father" -
mo, there Il no absolute necessity for for
harry, pretty high mp the tree. 1 don't think
there can Dc many men in the city likely TO cut
up better than your father. Very good. then. {"
de looked at his SON for . whole minute as il
then" he repeated, eve always promis.S and
always intended to take you into psrtnershin
at nve-snd-twenty, and now, Harry. I have
sent for you 10 say that ! am willing % carry