Arizona republican., 1892-11-23

truth was that each or the clerks thought himself n better looking man than Pe- ters.
 Well, to comSto the awful point where Peter's method1calness nearly upset the apple cart. The elopement was all settled, Peters quaking most of the time, and he was to write her letter giving an account of how arrangements were progressing. It will hardly be credited--and yet it is possible enough when you think what machine a methodical man gets to be- that Peters wrote this epistle to his girl pn his desk and put it in the pile of let iers that were to be copied into the old mans letter box! The office boy picked up the heap at exactly the usual hour, took them to the copying press, wet the thin leaves and squeezed them in; the love letter next to the one beginning:
 DEAR SIR-Yours of the 23d received and the contents noted"
 Peters got the corner curled letters, still damp, and put them all in their right envelopes and Sadie got hers in due time, but did not know enough about business correspondence to know that her first love letter was written in copying ink and had been through the press.
 Next day when old man Bentham was looking over the leaves of the previous days letters he suddenly began to chuc- kle to himself. Old Bentham had very comfortable, good natured, well to do chuckle that was pleasure to hear Even Peters almost smiled as he heard it.
 "Peters!"
 "Yes, sir"
 Have you all the letters. Peters. that these letters are the answers top
 Certainly, sir"
 "There is one want to see, Peters,"
 "What is the name, pleasel"
 Petty. I did not know that we dealt in this line of goods, Peters,"
 "H. W. Petty. sirT'
 "Ididn't know the initials. Here's the letter."
 Peters was stricken. He was appalled, -dumb-blind. The words Darling Petty" danced before his eyes. He felt his hair beginning to raise. The book did not fall from his hand simply be- cause he held it acknowledgements ically. Old Bentham roared, then closed the door so that the clerks would not hear his mirth.
 That's one on you, Peters. It's too good to keep. must tell that down at the club"
 "I wouldn't if were you, sir," said Peters, slowly recovering his senses as he saw the old man had no suspicion how the land lay.
 "No, suppose it wouldn't be quite the square thing. But of all men in the world, Peters-youl Why do you elope? Why not marry her respectfully at the church or at homer You'll regret going of like that all your life"
 Miss - she-tha. is-prefers i. that way"
 "Oh, romantic, is she: wouldn't do it, Peters"
 "There are other reasons"
 Father or mother against, as usual, suppose. Well, you refer them to me, Peters. I'll speak good word for you. But what am l to do while you are away"
 "I-thought perhaps-perhaps-John- son would take my place."
 All right, can put up with Johnson for week. maybe, but think of me and get back as soon as she'll let you"
 If old Mir. Bentham did not mention it at the club he did at home
 You remember Peters, Sadie. No, mol that was Johnson. Peters is in my room, you know. No, the redheaded man is Farnam. He's in the other room. Peters has the desk in the corner. Staidest fellow on the street. Ever so much older than l amin manner of course. The last man in the city you would sus- pect of being in love. Well, he wrote" and so MT. Bentham told the story.
 Sadie kissed him somewhat hysteric- ally when he promised to say good word for Peters, and said he was very kindhearted.
 Besides, papa, you ought to have a partner in the business. There is no com pany, you know"
 Bless you, my child, what has Peters wedding to do with the company He is taking the partner, not me. can't take Peters into partnership merely be- cause he chooses to get married"
 "Oh, thought that was customary" said Sadie.
 There was no elopement after all. The clerks say that it was the conscien- tious Peters that persuaded Sadie out of it. But as the old man found he had to give way 1t came to the same thing.
 Sadie" the old man said, "I think I'll change the name of the firm. I'll retire and it will be after this, 'Bentham, Husband 6 Co.'"-Luke Sharp in Buff falo News.