Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-10-25

ilo CduuO W MdlCu dJ v " CiOCh
He had bright face and a pleas
ing way, L found when stopped
to speak TO him. He s, emed IT,
feel a great sense of responsibility
As regards the care of our house,
which always gave me a cOmfOrta
ble feeling.
JACK had been away two weeks
when the cashier was taken sick
| offered to take his duties in con-
nectiOn with my own to save re
calling Jack. Mr.. GAskell, Jacks
new partner and 1 really carried
the weight Of the business Oh our
shoulders the next week. Mr..
Gaske had only been a partner
FIR six months. He was an En-.
glishman " HON Jack had meet the
year before III New York. He had
managed to sink a fair supply OF
English gold in American ventures
before Jack met him, and he had
gained thereby an experience that
made him, now in middle life, fair
to put some of our American metal
in place Of that lost.
Ere N his first coming among us
strong in his English preiudice,
there had been a tactic war be
tween him and me. | think this,
week he laid down his arms for
the first time. 'rm not going TO
say | approve of your being here,
Miss Llwrence,' he SAID one after
noon. Though I'll acknowledge
no man could think quicker or be
IF more help than YOU are, but all
he chivAlry IN me protests ag Hnst
5he dtudgery you endure
'OIe mast work lfOne is to have
! cdrocr,' | answered laughiDgly.
Bat all the same there was a pleas
mt feeling Ia my heart to think he
;arei to save me IabOr or trouble.
Oae afternoon, tho last Of the
week, be Orolgnt No $1,000 that
.ome western customer mad paid
WFll have to put it in the safe
Hiss Ll9reuce,' he said, 'the bauk
.lo~ed two hours ago. Tua'
liglt, when | closed the safe,
iellberatel several moments with
he door in my hands, whether TO
cave the money or take it home
yith me. We h I'VE always telt the
warehouse made our Office a dan
.erOus place, and the air was So
lot and drip that day that the very
yOlls seemed full Of heat as If they
night light from SpontaneOls co n
'ustiOD; neither have ever felt
,erlect confidence in our safe as
reproOf. | have tried many a |
ime to have Jack change IT for a
more modern one. | thought OF my
aud almost determined |
o take he money home, but finally
Considered it would only give me a
-aketul night to have the care Of
and / shut the safe.
had ny wakeiul night, though,
lst the sane-for | had hardly |
allen asleep when I heard tie
ong of the fire alarm. Ordinari ly |
should not have risen unless
allied, but the weight of the busi-
ess seemed on me, and | slipped |
n my wrapper ana slippers and |
,atched the bright light in the
vest. Finally | put the alarm
thistle to my lips and called JJe.
Find ont where 1t is, Joe,' [ said
n the direction of 'for It's the |
hipping quarter
Ten minutes later and Joe was
below my window. It's
! fearful fire, miss, with every
hing as dry as tlnder. It's the |
levatOr p. the foot of Fifth street.
)nly two blocks from the ware
ouse, with this hot wind blowing
ifectly toward them! l thought
e my books. No one knew the
afe combination except Mr.. GaskeIl
nd myself, and Mr.. Gaskell lived
wo miles further of than 7, and l
cit all the responsibility rested on
ne to save Jacks property. 'JOe,'
said, Il must 90 down to the
flee e-can you go with meP
joe looked solemn. 'I1l have |
o, miss, and let the houses watch |
themselves. Mr.. Lawrence said
AXE care Of vOu, miss, firs' Of all.'
few TO dress my self for the street,
nd in two minutes was ready.
'0enty minutes more and we were
,efOre the Office door. The air WAS
felt as | watched the
re brands IN the air and heard |
he roaring of the flames that the
warehouse was doomed.
Joe found a truck and a box,
nd | loaded books and Insurance.
,nerE into them. | had inst finish !