The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-09

office Of the Rampoo Iron and Steel
works refrained from any discussion
Of the question which was most promi-
nent In their minds.
1t was on Wednesday that the tall
clock that Paul Whittier had broken
returned from the repairers. Paul him
self helped the men to set 1t again in
its old place in the corner of the office
facing the safe which occupied the cor
ner diagonally opposite.
Ii So chanced that Paul came drown
late ON Thursday morning, and per-
| haps this was the reason that pres
sure of delayed work kept him in the
office that evening long after every one
else. The clerks had gone. even Major
Van Zandt. always the last to leave
and the porter had come in twice be-
fore the son of the senior partner was
ready 10 go for the night. The gas was
lighted here and there in the long, mar
row. deserted store. as Paul walked
| through II from the office to the street.
outside the swift twilight of a New
York November had already settled
down on the city.
Cant l carry yer bag for ye. Mister
Paul. asked the porter, who was
showing him out.
| NO. thank you. Mike" was the young
mans answer. That bag has very lit
tie in 1t. And besides l haven't got to
carry II far"
The next morning Paul was the first
| Of the three to arrive. The clerks We're
| in their places already. but neither the
| senior or junior partner had yet come.
The porter happened to he standing
| under the wagon archway as Paul
Whittier was about to enter the store.
| The young man saw the porter and a
mischievous smile lowered about the
corners of his mouth.
Mike" he said. pausng on the door
! step. do you think you ought to smoke
while you are cleaning out our Office in
/ the morning?'
Sure I haven't had me pipe in me
mouth this mornin' at ALL" the porter
answered. taken by surprise.
But yesterday morning." Paul pur-
sued
Yesterday mornin'," Mike echoed,
not a little puzzled
! Yesterday morning at ten minutes
/ before eight you were in the private
Office smoking pipe
/ But how did you see me, Mister
/ Paul?' cried Mike In amaze; 'ye was
late in comm down yesterday, wasn't
ye?"
Paul smiled pleasantly
P, "A little bird told me- he said.
| IF had the bird I'd wiring his neck
for tellin' tales" declared the porter
Il don't mind your smoking. Mike"
Ne young man went on: that's your
own analr; but I'd rather you didn't
smoke pipe while you are tidying up
IN the private Office"
Wen, Mister Paul, I won't do n
again, the porter promised.
ana wouldn't encourage Bob IN
smoke. either" Paul continued
encourage him." inquired Mike.
Yes, Paul explained. yesterday
morning sng you let him light his cigarette
from your pipe-didn't your"
-, Were ye peekin' in thro' the winder
MISTER Paul?' the porter asked eager.
all" "e'ei nd" ye at
o., NO, the young man answered, "I
| tie bird told me-" III
And with that he left the yonde,;no
I porter and entered the store .Iust ,n'
side the door was the office bov. who
hastiiy MA an unlighted cigarette as he
caught sight Of the senior partner,s
son. P"' 'hei
"nen raul saw the red-headed how
ne smiled again mischievouslv
BOD. ne began, "when Won want IN
see VINO can stand on his head tbe
l?heest you or Danny the bootblack
uoht you think you could choose n bet.
Ter place than the private ofIice?''
me once boy was quite as much
taken by surprise as the porter had
witted f"I"e'
And when did I have Danny in the
oi1ce?' he asked defiantIy.
yesterday morning" Paul answered
eight" ""' past
Yesterday mornin'? p. repea.ed poh
as though trying hard 10 recall al, ~
T.em.s n oI Inc day before. Maybe
He played leapfrog with Won all the
way into the private office" Paul went
on while Bob looked at him with in
creasing wonder
How did you know?' the office bow
asked frankly. Were you lookin'
through the windows?"
How do know that you and DANNY
STOOD on your heads in the corner of the
Office with your heels against the safe.
scratching off the paint? Next time I'd
try the yard II I were you. Sports Of
that sort are more fun In the open air"
And with that parting shot Paul went
on his way to his own desk, leaving the
onlce boy greatly puzzled.
Later In the day Bob and Mike ex-
exchanged condolences and neither
was ready with any explanation.
AT school," Bob declared, 1--WE uster
think teacher had eyes In the back Of
her head. She was everlastingly
catchin' me when ] did things behind
her back. But Mr.. Paul beats that for
gst m In
here
mister Paul want here, for sure,
Yesterday mornin'." Mike asserted, "Td
take me oath n that. An II he want
here. how could he see me givin' ye a
light from my pipe. Answer me that!
He says it's little bird told him-but
that's not II, I'm thinkin'. Not but
what they have clocks with birds into
EN- that come out an tell the time o.
day--'cuckoo! 'cuckOor 'cuckoov An
II that big clock he broke last week
had bird that could tell time that way
I'd break the thing quick--so would"
u amt no bird" said Bob, "you can
pet your life on that. No birds can't
tell him nothin' more'n you can catch
EN- by putin salt on their tails. I
know what II Ia Mr.. Paul does least
know how he does It. It's second
sight. that's what It. liz! I see man
onct at the theayter. an he"
But perhaps 1t Is not necessary to set
down here the office boys recollection
Of the trick Of an Ingenious magician.
About half an hour after Paul had ar
rived at the Office. Mr.. Wheatcroft ap-
peared. The Junior partner hesltated in
the doorway for a second and then
entered. ! ~ 7f
Paul was watching him. and the same
mischievOus smile flashed over the face
Of the young man.