People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-07-13
THE MERCHANTS CRIME.
BY H0RATIO ALGER, JR.
CHAPTER VIII-CoyrrNUED.

"What!" exclaimed Paul Morton.
"DO you think will suffer myself to
be subjected 10 such a degrading
suspicion-a man OF my position in
sOciety-what advantage could pos
sibly reap from my friends deatn?"
HE was rich man." suggested
James Cromwell, significantly.
That is true" said the merchant,
with self-pOssession. He was
rich man."
and he may have left his prop
erty to you"
You happen to be mistaken
there. He had left his property to
son, a boy of fourteen"
where is this SON." asked the
clerk, a little taken aback by this
discovery, which was new to him.
"He is now in my house"
And suppose the boy dies"
1t was now Paul MOrtOn's turn to
hesitate.
That is not very probable he
said. He is strong, vigorous boy
WHO is to be his guardian"
Il am"
Indeed! And il he dies there is
no provision made as to the prop
erty?"
at will go to me if he dies before
attaining his majority"
The clerk cOughed-a little sig
nifcant cough-which annoyed Mr..
Morton not little. 1t conveyed an
imputation which he couldn't resent,
because it was indirect
Il hope you are satisfied, he said
at length.
80, certainly; that is, nearly so"
said James Cromwell; but then it is
not enough that should be satisfied. "
"Why not?"
Ny employer may not be-
"Does your employer know who
made the purchaser"
No, have not as yet communi-
Gated the name to him.
Don't tell him. 1t is none of his
business"
He will not agree with you there.
what matter il he does not?"
"YOu must remember that | am
poor clerk, dependent on my salary,
and that in my position, it is not
safe to risk offending my employer.
Suppose | am discharged from my
position, how am | to live?"
Can you not procure another
situation?"
Not if he refuses his recon-
mendatiOn, which would probably be
the case. Besides, our business is
crowded, and under the most favor
able circumstances might be weeks.
and possibly months without en-
ployment"
Paul Morton leaned his head on
his hand, and considered what was
10 be done with this difficult visitor.
1t was evident that he expected to
De bought off, and that he must be.
What wages do you get?' he
asked, looking up.
Twenty dollars a week." said
Cromwell, promptly.
As the reader knows, this was Just
double what he did receive, and as
Mr.. Morton was not likely to inquire
OF his Employer, he felt that the lie
was a safe one, and likely to conduce
10 his advantage.
Twenty dollars a week! Very
well, l will tell you what you must
do In the first place, you must re-
fuse to make your employer any com
munications respecting this affair.
Very well, sir"
And if he discharges you l will
pay you twenty dollars a week until
you can get another situation. Per-
haps may find you some other en-
ployment, unless you prefer your
present business.
mo, sir, l don't like it."
"Do, then, as l tell you, and will
see that you suffer no loss"
Thank you, sir" said James
Cromwell rising, 81 will follow your
directions, and let you know the re-
suit tomorrow evening"
The clerk left the house in a very
contented frame of mind. He de-
termined to resign his situation the
next morning, and claim the stipu-
lated weekly allowance.
CHAPTER IL.