The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-11-11


drcn, Columns was too notoriously eco
| nonica1 20 waste his salary IN such direo-
lions, Books supported his sister at q w6m-
ans college, Finnegan, the Office boy, had
been saving for months to get money with
which to buy baseball suit
Three possibilities were left, Cyrus Jute,
Mike, the Italian porter, and myself-the
first impossible, the second improbable,
the third certainly not guilty.
Could there be conspiracy on the part
Of the Office TO drag me from the shell of
single blessedness In which / had incased
myself for 20 years, TO crush In day those
boarding house ties IL had taken a decade
to form, to Danish me to n top floor IL
room fiat in Harlemi
was at the Office few minutes earlier
next day. and the first thing that met my
eyes was bunch of violets on Miss Wilt
kin's desk. A few minutes later she ar
rived, and 1 swung around In my chair for
the purpose Of more closely scrutinizing
her to learn II there were grounds for the
office suspicious. She took up the flowers,
bowed and smiled pleasantly at me.
Good morning, ventured, and to my
horror felt myself smile too.
AS the days went by the burden of sus-
picion that rested upon me became more
and more irksome. Even in my dreams i
saw the impudent eyes of Butternut, the
CLASSY, cynical stare of Highstule and the
jealous gaze of Books upon me. / felt her
innocent smile of gratitude to the supposed
donor of the violets. All the day long my
mind dwelt upon my unpleasant position,
and the more 1 pondered the more 1 be-
came convinced that the way for me to
clear myself was to expose the real donor
H. Ill
were quickly formulated and as quickly
carried out.
Our store Is opened at O'Clock by Mike,
the porter. The younger clerks are sup
posed to report at that hour, but expert
ence has taught me that the first one Is
never expected until half an hour later.
So went down at 7:30, let myself IN
with my key and took up post In the
private office The door was left half open
SO that good view could be had of Miss
Wilkins desks
The hands Of the clock indicated ten
minutes to the hour when heard key
rattle, the door open and footsteps That
was Mike l could tell by the heavy tread
heard him roll up the blinds and advance
toward the offices. He was IN view now
through the open door, and saw him lay
something on Miss Wilkins desk
"Is that you, Nike" called.
He quickly reached out his hand tn seize
the flowers, but before he could get them
out of my sight was at his side
My mind rapidly scanned the whole sit
uation. 1t could not be that this poor Ital-
ian was spending his hard earned wages
purchasing violets ut 81 bunch for our
typewriter. He must be an agent, and 1t
behooved me to learn for whom II ever
was to regain my position In the Office.
mike" / began sternly, what were
you doing with those violets?"
"Givva de young lade, he replied sui
lenly.
"See here, you rascal, - cried, selling
his arm, "you might as we'll tell me the
truth Who gave you those violets to put
on Miss Wiltkins deskP won't stand any
fooling"
"Me givva de flow," he growled me
Iowa de lade "
He was short and stout, but so fat that
/ doubted not that my 8 years daily exer
else with dumbbells would stand me in
good stead. / was angry-terribly angry
AS / felt that the moment when L could
know all had come and this man who had
the power to clear me refused.
mike, / cried in a threatening tone,
tell me quickly who got you to put those
violets there or / will shake you within an
inch of your life f"
Mike new tell Lego mer' he logged
ly retorted.
"Not until you tell me, " replied, grasp
ing his arm tighter.
He gave a quick jerk that loosened my
hold and threw me violently against the
safe, and when 1 regained my feet he was
running for the door as fast as his fat legs
would carry him.
In minute l was on his back, we were
down together and rolling and graphing
over the dusty floor. At length l emerged
from the struggle, bruised, bedraggled,
but triumphant. 1 had my opponent face
downward on the floor and was seated firm
ly on his back. So after humping his head
on the floor by way of emphasis 1 said:
Now, Mike, mean you no harm. You
and l have always been friends, and trust
that we will continue so. But / sit right
here until you tell me who gave you those
violets to put on Miss Wilkins desk Was
it Mr.. Butternut or Mr.. Books or
mike new tell, painted the PROSTATE
porter, making feeble and easily frus-
trated effort TO free himself.
And Mike Is right. / appreciate his
IdiJnIulneSS, CAME u quleJ VOICE lrOIn DC
hind me- And looked up into the face
Of Cyrus Jute
With heavy heart / followed the senior
partner to his private room. He sank into
his chair and for time gazcd on me In
silence as l stood waiting tie coming of
the storm, for it seemed to me that my Of
Tense of fighting with the porter would be
ample justification for the infliction of the
most severe measures But instead of
downpour of reproach / heard:
well, Dockboy, 1 don't blame you
much. Perhaps 1 should not have deceived
you; but, you see, was jealous. 1 had the
violets put there, and then / heard the
boys whispering about you and thought
that 1 would send for you-er-to see how
you stood. This morning came early to
tell Mike not to put them there any more,
because after certain incidents last
night He hesitated and then added:
UNLESS you re fool you'll know all about
IL anyway After certain incidents that
occurred last night they would be out of
place. She won't come down any more. +"
Mr.. Jute, said, grasping his hand,
until got hold of Mike 1 did not know
just what my sentiments were thought
was mad at being suspected of being a
little foolish. Do you know, begin to sus-