The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-07-01
His Business.

henderson, going to the desk of his en-
ployer, the owner of the wholesale
fruit-store.
Yes, sent for you to say that
shall not want your services after this
week"
Robert turned shade paler.
Isn't it a little sudden, sir2" he
ventured to ask.
at is about as long notice as usually
give. This is a dull season, you know;
some clerks would think themselves
fortunate in having held on till now"
"Have given satisfaction"
every good indeed" Mr.. Strong
varied the set, Indifferent monotony Of
his tone little, but even the little was
gratifying from man like him. 81
will give you very good recommends
tons"
Il don't know that they will do me
much good-any good in fact" said
Robert to himself, as he turned and
went down stairs. There are ten
applicants for one situation this time
of year."
Many luckless bread winner turned
suddenly out of employment will be
able to enter into his feelings as he
thought of his widowed mother and the
sisters who looked to him for help in
the struggle to maintain a home.
"Sent off on short notice, hey?"
asked a clerk, who came out with him
the last two as the house was closed for
the night.
"Just like John Strong"
But be was under no obligation to
keep me when he didn't need me-
May be not. But it seems to me
that if had clerk that l knew was a
good one, and that needed work, ia
manage to carry him through dull
season-especially if | was rich man
like him. What's this?"
A heavly-loaded dray had drawn up
to the curbstone, the driver of which
had begun to unload boxes addressed
to the firm.
"How's all this?" said Robert, going
towards him. :" It's too late to deliver
goods tonight
81 know it, mister" said the dray-
man, respectfully, "but l couldn't help
it this time"
"They were due two hours ago"
Yes, and the big fire down here
blocked everything The hoses were
all over the street and nothing could
pass. | got caught 1t was hose be-
fore me and hose behind me; so |
couldn't get out"
But the pace is locked up for the
night"
"Then l suppose I'll have to stack
the boxes here on the pavement"
"The stuff'll freeze if it stays out all
night"
"What can | do?" said the man,
looking much perplexd. Il was hired
to haul it and I've hauled it. l can't
help the delay"
self about it, said Roberts friend to
him. sit isn't any concern of yours"
Yes, it isl said Robert, half alb
sently.
Why, it isn't any part of your bust
ness to see to the receiving of the
goods"
mo" said Robert, "but couldn't
feel right if l didn't try to do something
in such muddle."
you're a simpleton," said the
other, good humoredly, as he walked
away. at isn't your muddle. And you
just turned off, too. I'd let the boss
look after his own concerns
Here was exactly the difference be-
tween the two young men. Robert
possessed very clear and decided ideas
as to his duty to his employer and
could not reconcile his conscience to
the allowing of his interests to suffer
in any way which lay in his power to
prevent, even though his special duties
were entirely apart from this line Of
the business.
He turned again to the drayman who
had ceased his unloading and stood by
his horses, wearing look of distress
and indecision.
"If | get into a muss with the boss
like enough he'll dismiss me-" he said.
"That won't do" said Robert,
heartily. He's just dismissed me,
and 80 know how it feels. Wen con-
trive something, l guess. Do you
know where Mr.. Strong lives? l might
telephone him to know what he'd like
done"
But the man did not know. Robert
was beating his brain for some other
plan when the door of a large store a
little defiance down the street opened
and two or three workmen came out.
Robert darted towards them, reaching
the door just as a man stepped out and
was about to lock it,
The young clerk quickly explained
the perpexing circumstances attending
the delayed delivery of the fruit, end
ing with;
"Do you think you could let me
store it in here? You're empty, /
see."
"Yes, we're empty" said the man,
"but Pm only the janitor of the build
ing; haven't anything to do with it
except to see it locked up and safe
from fire. But" he continued, look
ing at the troubled face of the drayman
who had come near, " Mr.. Race isn't
hard man and if you'll take the risks of