The Globe-republican., 1892-09-16


face and the expression upon 1t are not
uncommon in tho city-they belong to a
certain type Of city men-and those who
have it are generally successful. 1t is
q masterful face. If any Of Mr.. John
Stokes servants fail in their duty they
know better than to ask for mercy from
such 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
nan 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.
F., 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, trife
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 fire side, lunch, and cigar send
some mea into mental sleep. To this
man they only gave the opportunity Of
uninterrupted thought.
Presently the door opened and a
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, 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 five-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 five-and-twenty 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. l was a partner
shop and became an office.
There was the shop, though, to be-
gin with, said the son.
Undoubtedly; and 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
pagne up to the eyes every night, they
snigger over the shop in the train going
home; when they have been on 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 sneer and snigger. Our friends,
dear boy, will not readily 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 pla,e at all
Il don't see why we should want to
forget it, father.
NO, there is no absolute necessity
for forgetting anything. However, we
are now, Harry, pretty high up the tree.
don't think there can be many men In
the city likely to cut up better than your
father Very good, then" He locked
at his son for a VIII ple minute as il seek
ing for the best way to go on. Very
good. then," he repeated, I've always
promise, and G'ways intended to take
you into partnership at five and-twenty,
and now, Harry, have sent for you to
say that I am willing to carry out that
intention, and to give you a birthday
present worth having"
Oh said Harry, with a great sigh.
-On conditions. Of course. Hang 1t,
do you suppose that am going to admit
any enc, even my own sons, into my
house-the house have made-to share
my income, except on my own terms?"
We'll. SIR said Harry, Il always
supposed you would have your own way
in everything, whether 1 am to be a
partner or not.
you are right, my boy. My own way
I mean to have. Yet these are not my
conditions. Now sit there, and don't
answer a single word till I've done. !
You've had your fling, Harry; that you
can't deny. You've lived in your own
chambers, and you've had good allow
ance. and nobody ever asked any nasty
ones what you did with your money.
Very well. then, now that's all over. A
partner in my house has got to take his
place-his own place, mind-in society,"
The young man turned pale. I've been
offered a baronetcy. Well, won't have
1t; I mean to be made q peer. Do you
hear that? shall be Lord Thingamy,