Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-12-14

II
u ~ Ma Main i !. IS street 2. 2,
lumber metropolis of Pennsylvania.
on TINT pleasant September mornine
live years ngo. Ho was dressed with
tho utmost nentness, almost with fop-
plshness, high hat sat rakishly on
his head. his shoes wcro polished to
the last degree of brightness, large
ring glittercd from ono of the fingers
of his left hnnd, and in the other bo
carried small walking stick, which
ho now md then twirlod through the
air i'll dandyish manner. Pausing
before bookstore, something seemed
to catch his eye and he entered. From
tho papers and magazines on the coun-
ters lie selected those which pleased
him most, and nodding to the clerk,
said carclessly:
Just charge these"
Tho person addressed did rs he was
hidden, but troubled look came into
his face as he wrote down tho several
items, and he Mt last said:
"Mr. Williams your bill is getting
quito large. Can't you settle soon?"
Yes, sir, of course 1 can. If you
don't think me good for few dollars,
why, l will take my trade elsewhere. "
And then before tho astonishod
clerk could reply he was gone. When
he had gone about n mile he turned
sharply and entered the lumber dis
triot of tho city which extends for
several miles along the river banks. A
few moments later he paused at the
office of one of the largest mills, where
ne was bool5keeper. He found oil the
members OF the firm, with ono excep-
ton, assembled within, but MS this
was no unusual circumstance he nod
ded to each one, went to cloest and
hung up his coat and hat, and swinging
himself upon high stool was about
to commence the work OF tho dny,
when no was interrupted by the elder
member of the firm, who, after a
slight cough, rs if to clear his threat.
said
"Mr; Williams, ono moment,
please"
Thinking that what he was to hear
had something to do with tho bust
ness of the firm the young man turned
from his desk, pen i'll hand, and said ::
"What is it, sir ?"
"Mr. Williams" with another SLIGHT
cough, eve have decided, owing to
matters of which you are probably MS
we'll aware as we, that we will not
need you any longer. AS soon as you
can secure employment elsewhere We
shall expect you to resign your posi-
lion with u.s..
III really don't-don't understand
you," was the reply. "Hnve you dis
covered any errors in the books?"
None Mt all--none ut all. We
would be perfectly willing to endorse
. certificate of your honesty and pro-
fciency rs nm accountant. What / re-
fer to is IN entirely different thing.
The fact is thnt We have found that
you are heavily indebted in various
parts of the city, much moro than we
desire any one in our employ to be.
Several firms where you have had con-
siderable accounts standing for some
time have applied to lis to secure them.
This we cannot do, and SO from pru.
dontitl reasoIs--nothing else--we
have decided to let you CO."
81 think that this thing has-has
been exaggerated" stammered the
young man. 'But as you may have
other reasons for Wishing to discharge
me, will go at once"
"You are wholly mistaken-wholly
mistaken. We have mono but the
kindest of feelings toward you, and
should not have taken this step had
we not thought it best for ali con.
cerned. We had not expected You tc
leave until you could find some other
position fully as good, but you can dc
as you choose" said tho lumbermnn
seemingly glad to get rid of q disa
greeabie task. Come this afternoon
and we will havo settlement" he
continued, as the young man, who hat
put on his hat and coat, was leayine
the office.
And then Paul Williams, feeling n,
people always do who have met will
the penalty of their indiscretion, thu
he had been dealt with unjustly
walked away.
His features were working and hi
lips quivering from chagrin and dis
appointment. Almost UNCONDITIONAL
he bent his steps toward distant hill
whereon lay the city cemetery, an
half an hour later he was walking u
the hill with long, sweeping strides
totally Indifferent to tho fact that TIL
dust OF the road was destroying til
polish of his shapely shoes which tho
very morning he had put on with s
much care. Flinging himself upon tn
first bench he came to, he tried for
time to control his feelings, but 6