The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-20

with profound gravity. Before them,
upon a broad mahogany tabe, were
piles of books, sheaves of paper in rubber
bands, bundles of quill pens, quires of
waste paper for calculations. and a num-
Der of huge red-covered folios, containing
the tell-tale reports of the mercantile
agencies. They had just completed the
selections from the list of applicants for
discount, and were now in that state of
lethargy that commonly follows a great
and important act.
The president, with his hands pressed
together before him, was looking at the
fresco of Commerce upon the ceiling; his
ponderous right-hand neighbor was stumb-
ling over an addition that one of the book
keepers had made upon one of the papers
he hoped to find it wrong; his left
hand neighbor was doubling his under
lip with his stout fingers; an octogenarian
beyond had buried his chin in his i'm
mense neck, and was going to sleep; an
other was stupidity blinking at the nearest
coal-tire; two more were exchanging gasp
ing whispers; another was wiping his
gold spectacles with white handkerchief,
now and then stopping to hold them un-
steadily up to the light; and another was
lingering the polished lapel of his old
black coat, and saying, with asthmatic
hoarseness to all who would look at him:
"F-o-u-r-teen years. Fourteen years."
A tall regular clock, with its mercury
pendulum, licked upon the wall; the
noise of the heavy rumbling in the streets
was softened into low monotone. and
now and then bit of coal ratified upon
the fender.
The oil-portraits of four former presi-
dents looked thoughtfully down on
the scene of their former labors !;
the polished wainscots reflected rag
ged pictures of the silent four
teen. and all was perfectly in order and
perfectly secure.
Presently, however, there was an end to
the stagnation; the white heads began to
move and 10 look around.
The presidents ewes came gradually
down from the Commerce, and, after
travelling over the countenances of his
stirring confreres, they settled by accident
upon the table before him. There they en-
countered white envelope, inscribed
'ro the President and Honorable Board
Of DIrectors-Present."
''Oh gentlemeni gentlemeni'' cried the
president, seizing the letter, lone moment
more, beg of you. Here's a-a-note-a
is myself. I'm sure, but"-the thirteen
sank back again. feeling somewhat touched
that they should be so restrained. The
president ran his eye over the missive
He smiled as one does sometimes at the
precocity of an infant. "The letter, gen.
tlemen," said he, slipping the paper
through his fingers, lis from the paving
teller. Ii is q request for"-here the presi-
a oh L
Gus point-''for larger salary" Then he
dropped his eyes and lowered his head, as
he might have done had he confessed that
somebody had kissed him. He seemed TO
be the innocent mouthpiece of piece of
tagrant nonsense.
There was moments silence. Then a
heavy-voiced gentleman took up a pen
and said;
''ls this mans name Dreyfus-or-or
what is it?'
Let me think" returned the president,
returning once more TO the Commerce
"Dreyfus2 -fo not Dreyfus yes no.
Paving teller-hum-it's curious can't
recali-it commences with an F-FIErps-
yes, Fields! that's his name-Fields. TO be
surei"
The Questioner at once wrote down the
word on the paper.
This is the second time that he has an
piled for tins favor, is IL ?" formally
inquired another of the thirteen, in the
tone that judge uses when he asks the
clerk; Has he not been before me on q
former occasion ?"
Yes" replied the president, "thjs is a
renewal OF an effort made six months ago. -
There was general movement Several
chairs rolled back. aud their occupants ex-
changed querulous eiances.
Suppose we hear the letter read, >" sug-
gesini a fair soul "Perhaps"-a septua-
esaarian, with Snowy hair and thin
body, clad ln the clerical guise Of the old
sehs1li, aud who had made fortune bv IN
venting a hat-block, arose hastily to his
Rest aad said
% esBHot stay TO listen 20 4 dun"
tsauus from the majority echoed the
>Ne4salatan Ali bat four staggered TO
tssF ie,t. and tottered of in various di-
XNSsl4s4&5 Sause 10 pretend 10 look ont at