The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1894-04-06
A FORCED VACATION.
BY BOHEMIAN.

clerk, Mr.. Meekly, into the private
sanctum. Meekly trembled with
fond anticipation. To be summoned
before the head of the house yus,an
unexpected honor. 1t either inoant
raise of salary or an interest in
the firm. Meekly beamed all over.
At last merit was to be rewarded.
Accordingly, he assumed deferen-
tial attitude, running over in his
mind how he should say in depre-
eating manner: ooh! Mr.. Skinflint,
this is too much honor-it is so I'M
expected, etc" Skintlint let him
stand this way for few minutes. 1t
was always Skinflints practice to
permit his clerks to remain expect
antly before him. He would pay no
attention to them for a time, as
though they were so minute that he
could not see them. Whether he
really took pleasure in this, or
whether he was always very busy
whenever any clerk happened to en-
ter, cannot be stated. However, had
heever seen fit to address an employee
Us gentleman would have addressed
another the employee would have had
fit. On this particular occasion
Skinflint kept Meekly waiting about
five minutes. The young man shifted
his feet impatiently,. he even ven
tured to clear his throat, thinking
that it was barely possible that Skin
flint had not heard him. He studied
the carpet; he studied the ceiling,
and he studied the floor. He rested
first on one leg and then on the
other. II he had had all the legs Of
centipede he would have taken
turns on them, and, under the cir
cumstanccs, nature was really UNI
kind, considering the relations be-
tween employer and employee, that
she did not furnish Skinhint's en-
ploycs with all these appendages.
But finally, after Meekly had become
so nervous that the room seemed to
turn around, Skinflint wheeled in his
chair, looked the clerk firmly in the
face, and said:
'Well?"
1t was not so much the manner rs
the tone and Meekly forthwith began
to tremble.
"You sent for me2,% he STAN
mercd.
81 did. l believe that you have
been employed by this house many
years, Mr.. What is your name?"
''Mcekly, sir"
"Ah, Weekly" Meekly did not
offer TO correct him. The interview
opened in a promising manner. Skin
flint had referred to the fact that
he had been there long time. Sure
ly now would come the reward OF
merit.
Gas I said, Mr.. Weekly, you have
been here for some timer"
ayes, sir; ten years"
"And, ! dare say, have been q
faithful employee, Mr.. Wheatly?'
81 have tried to do my duty, sir"
was the reply.
Eyes, yes! Now, Mr.. Whitley,
don't you think that in view of these
years of faithful service that you de-
serve vacation?"
Meekly's hopes fell. He had ex-
pccted promotion. However, va
cation was better than nothing. So
he plucked up heart to answer:
1T would crafty me, sir, II you
should see fit to so favor me-"
"Humph! Well, Mr.. Watly, begin
ming next Monday, you can have six
weeks vacation"
''Oh, sir, this is too much. Your
kindness"
''Of course, the times are hard,
MIR. Worthy"
81 know that, SIR"
$50 your pay will be discontinued
while you are off. Good day, sir"
Meekly managed to crawl out of
the office somehow. The generosity
of his employer had overwhelmed
him. Finally he pulled himself to,
gether and determined to 60 to
cheap lakeside resort. With econ
omy, his savings would tide him
through the six weeks.
Accordingly, Meekly repaired to a
certain resort in northern Michigan,
where the people who cannot afford
to 20 to the seaside and who assert
that they prefer the lake breezes to
the sea breezes congregate. For q
day or two he wandered around aim,
lessly, and then one bright morning
he was introduced by friend on tho
veranda Of the hotel to q young lady.
She was petite, pretty, with an
engaging smile, and altogether
a most desirable person to Gull
tivate. This first impression was
later emphasized in Meekly's mind
when he found out that she was the
daughter Of his employer who had so
generously given him vacation.
Forthwith he began to cultivate the
young woman and found that she
was bright intellectually as she was
pretty. Now Meekly always was
susceptible person, and tho imme.
diatc proximity Of such an attrac-
tive young woman set his fancy row.
ing. The FIRST day he liked her;
after that he lost his head. One day,
however, he finally summoned up
sufficient courage to confess to her
what wos In his heart. The young