Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-10-30
it amt worth much. to anybody but

it amt worth much TO anybody but
me-"
Then,it was that the superintendent
gave 10 very clearly to understand
that he considered him infringing on
the rights of the company in whose
service he was
The boy looked SO puzzled that he
melted somewhat.
"You don't understand me-"
'No, sir said 10. 81 til ought I
owned the'land."s
"Soyou do" said the superintendent,
reassuringly, feeling now on sure
ground; "but not for all purposes" e
81 thought could put saloon on it
If wanted to-" said 10 in depressed
voice.
The superintendent hair almost
stood on end,
A grog-shop in the midst of his
works! He could hardly conceal his
dismay.
"Tolly," said he, sternly, you must
choose between the Office and your
shop. No man can serve two masters.
Eyes, sir. You are very kind, SIR"
said 10, looking gratefully at him. 81
was thinking my clerk wasn't doing as
well as he might if had my eye more
on him."
"And | assure you, gentlemen" said
the superintendent, reporting to the
board of directors, "when that boy left
my office | did not know whether it
was as fool or as having made fool
of me-"
Call the lad in," suggested one Of
the directors. "Let us see if we can
make anything of him"
10 came in at once on being sum.
moned. He did not even tarry to take
off the apron which he wore in his
shop, or to brush the -four from his
coat.
These adjuncts helped to heighten the
ruddy innocence of his appearance as
he entered. He faced the curious eyes
of the waiting board with disarming
guilelessness.
"Did you want me, sirP" he asked OF
the superintendent, and the slow mo-
ton of his lips was almost foolish.
But had those lips only been formed
to say "ten thousand" they could not
have repeated it more persistently
when the question of barter was opened.
His slow-moving blue eyes looked with
open, childish appeal into the assem-
bled faces.
81 do think it's worth that to me,
sir, don't you?" he asked Of the most
urgent speaker; and that gentleman
suddenly collapsed.
There was one dire ctor who took nc
part in the controversy. He sat in his
chair rubbing his hands together and
watching the scene from his keen,
deep-set eyes. Every now and then his
spare frame was shaken with silent
laughter. AS the door closed on JOS
retreating figure he gave way to spasms
of alternate laughter and coughing.
"Oh, Lord, Lord" he chuclled, wip-
ing his eyes, ito have that fool look on
the outside of his head and all that
horse sense on the inside!"
"Thcn, sir, you think him playing O
game, do you?" asked the superintend'
ent
playing? He's played it! Hasn't
he caught us in just the trap he starte
out TOP"
The old man went off in another par
oxysm of laughter
'What did you say the lads name
was" he gasped as he recovered
40 Tolly," answered the Disguised
superintendent" or rather, that's what
he calls himself. His real name is
T-a-l-i-a-f-e-r-r-o."
"Taliaferro Joseph Taliaferro.
What was his fathers name?"
Joseph, also, believe"
'It's him. AS sure as my names
Snyder B. Shines it's him." cried the ole
man, rising to his feet excitedly
where's he gone? Where's he gomez
He rushed from the room. his thir
legs wavering under him, followed by
the bewildered superintendent. When
they returned, 10 Tolly, Invested of the
flour and apron now, was with them.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Snyder b
Shines, 'allow me to present my grand
son to you, formerly of the firm o
10 Tolly,' now full-fedgcd partner OF
the lumber firm of Snyder b. Shines
Grandson The FOLLY store is closed
gentlemen. We--that is my partne
has decided that it is more advanta
geous for our present business to be or
agreeable terms with this BroOlSvillt
J Glass Works company"
Here Mr.. Shines, shaking with laugh
ter, broke down again.
"Oh, boys, amt he chip of the OLD
, block?' he cried. "What will you have
gentlemen? It's the firms treat -
Margaret S. Briscoe, in Leslie's News
paper.