Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-09-15

face and the expression upon It are not
uncommon In the city-they belong to a
certain type of city men-and those who
have 1t are generally successful. 1t is
masterful face. II any of Mr.. John
Stokes servants fail in their duty they
know better than to ask for mercy from
such a face. Nelson himself did not
reckon more confidently than Mr. John
Stoke on every man doing his duty. He
was not exactly popular with his ser
wants, because he bought his labor as he
bought his gOods-at the cheapest rate
and because he exacted from labor, as
from goods, the utmost profit. The law
of political economy, which makes a
man buy in the cheapest market, when
applied to labor, does not, somehow,
lead to a contented and happy service.
1t is law. when applied, which only al
lows people to be happy when it is bro
ken. A good many laws, moral. politi-
cal and dOctrinal. possess the same char
acteristic. Nobody likes being bought
at the cheapest; we all want a fancy
price to be put upon our work, especially
If we have grown gray in the service.
Now Mr.. John Stoke allowed no allu-
sions on this subject in his office, and
had no respect for gray hairs or for
length of service, or for anything in the
world except his own interests.
He lay back in his chair and watched
the Wreaths of smoke, listening to that
pleasant tune-the parable of Dives
quite forgotten. Presently he began to
think. Mr.. John Stoke was one of those
persons who are gifted with the power
of thought. Out Of politeness we pre-
tend that everybody has this power.
Not so; otherwise the majority OF man
kind would not be as sheep running
whithersOver they are driven, and
bleating at their leaders command. But
let me continue to be polite. This man
had little coup in his mind, a trifle
that would probably bring him in
twenty thousand or so, and he was turn
ing it over so as to get at the best points
Of handling it. The warmth and COM
fort of reside, lunch, and cigar send
some men into mental sleep. To this
man they only gave the opportunity of
uninterrupted thought.
Presently the door opened and
young man stood in the doorway tall
and handsome young man-you have
already seen him in the walk by the
river side.
Come in, Harry, come in, said the
chief, pleasantly; shut the door and
come in"
You said you should want to speak
to me about half-past two.
Yes, did. Well, my boy, I thought
that we might have few words, per-
hapS two or three, just to understand
each other. Sit down. Take a cigar?
No? Well, you are flve-and-twenty to-
day, are you nOt?"
1T is my birthday" The young man
| looked anxious, yet eXpectant of some
pleasing announcement. One can only
| be f1ve-andtwenty once in life. Be
sides, things had been promised.
Yes" his father continued, looking
critically at the ash of his cigar. yes,
yes, five and-twenty. I was partner
before that age-before we sank the
shop and became an office"
There was the shop. though, to be-
gin WITH" said the son.
Undoubtedly; and a very good shop,
too. We mustn't forget the shop. Not
| likely it will be forgotten. People talk
about it when they go home from my
dinner parties; when they have had
fortnight among my birds, with cham
payne up to the eyes every night, they
Singer over the shop in the train going
home; when they have been on a cruise
in my yacht, with everything of the very
best-oh, yes, the more you do for 'em
| the better they remember it; the more
they sheer and Singer. Our friends,
dear boy, will notreadily forget the shop.
1t is their only consolation when they
| consider the prosperity of the firm. If
it wasn't for feeling how green they get
with envy I'd never have any old friends
in the place at all. >"
L uOu SEC why We SnOulQ MdnB 10
forget it, father.
NO, there is no absolute necessity
for forgetting anything. However, we
are now, Harry, pretty high up the tree.
I don't think there can be many men in
the city likely to cut up better than your
father. Very good, then" He looked
at his son for whole minute as if seek
ing for the best way to go on. Very
good. then. he repeated, 1--WE always
| I.@1 -, L,1-1
you into partnership at ve-and-twenty
and now, Harry, have sent for you TO
say that am willing to carry out that
intention, and TO give you a birthday
present worth having"
~Oh, said Harry, with great sigh.
-On conditions, of course. Hang it,
do you suppose that am going to admit
: any one, even my own sons, into my
2 house-the house have made-to share
2 my income, except on my own terms7"
We'll, sir, said Harry, I always
5 supposed you would have your own way
3 in everything, whether I am TO be {
= partner or not.
e You are right, my boy. Ny own way
Q I mean to have. Yet these are not my
,. conditions. Now sit there, and DON
f answer a single word till I've done
f You've had your fling, Harry; that yol
t can't deny. You've lived in your owl
!. chambers. and you've had a good allow
s anee, and nobody ever asked any naSty
d ones what you did with your money
T Very well, then, now that's all over. !
Y partner in my house has got to take hi
|. place-his own place, mind-in society.
S The young man turned pale I've beef
: offered baronetcy. Well, 1 won't hav
,, it; mean TO be made a peer. Do yo'
" hear that? I shall be Lord Thingamy
o and you shall be the Honorable Harry
e Very well, then"-he marked his sen
It fences with short pulls at his cigar
% that's understood. Next thing, how /
II that peerage to be advanced and mad
st take a respectable place? Money? no
n enough Land? that isn't enough Poll
II tics? I'm too old and you are too stupid
IF Your brother Joe-the Honorable Joe b
% will be, may take up politics IN the fam
l. lily interest; not you. By marriage, m