Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-07-27
[copyrIeht, 1906, by J. B. LIppIncott Col
f10RNCf hnnfSLET VNCHfLE.

capltal had assumed mcroscoplcal pro-
portions. With the exception of half
dozen magazine articles-some of them
not paid for-I had done no work. But
carried good letters of introduction,
had accumulated plenty of material,
and confronted the future with grin
upon my face.
In this mood, looking at the world
through rose-colored goggles, sat
down to breakfast upon the morning
succeeding my arrival at the Acropolis,
and picked up the morning paper.
was carelessly scanning it's columns,
when the following advertisement met
my eye:
"Wanted-A young, strong, healthy
man, graduate of university preferred,
who must be an athlete, scholar, and
a gentleman. Large salary to right
man. Apply Omega. between the
hours of ten and eleven, at the CONSOLE
dated savings bank"
Reading these lines, I specialized
in regard to the number of young men
in California who would consider them
selves eligible candidates for the large
salary" and, pursuing this train of
| thought, reflected that it might be
amusing to present myself between the
hours of ten and eleven at the Console
dated savings bank.
Accordingly l did so.
1t was the qualification of an absurd
within (unless we take into considera-
ton the daughters of Themis), but it
involved me in an amazing adventure.
To my infinite surprise, the bank was
not surrounded by crowd of athletes;
and the cashier informed me, with
silky smile, that Omega was within and
alone.
'"The San Francisco youth" said I,
"must be singularly modest"
Admirable Crichtons," he rejoined,
"are scarce as black tulips. Do under
stand, sir, that you are an Applicant"
Up to this moment had not consid-
cred this very obvious question. None
the less replied promptly: Eyes"
He looked me up and down, queer
smile curling his lips. Then he held
out his hand for my card.
"My name," replied lightly, 'is-Al-
pha."
/
| disappeared. When he returned, after
an absence of ten minutes, his smile
was still more accentuated.
"Omega," he murmured, sis in the
presidents private room. Kindly fol-
low me.''
I obliged him, and found myself in
flating my chest and squaring my
| shoulders. Upon such occasions man
wishes to cut as fine figure as pos
sible, and I'll confess that the enigmatic
smile of the cashier piqued me not a
little. Feeling that'I had embarked
upon a FOOLS Grand, I followed my
guide down corridor and into hand
some room.
At large desk was q small man,
out of whose dried-up, wrinlSled, pock-
marked face cleaned remarkable
pair of eyes. The owner of these
waved me to chair. bowed and sat
down.
MIR"
alpha
"Mr. Alpha, let me give you my
Card
Upon it was engraved a we'll
known name-Marl Gerard. has
tened to return the compliment.
"Ah-Livingston. Yes, yes; son OF
Hugo livingstone !. y
81 am"
/ University man?"
yale"
can uthlete?"
81 played right tackle on the foot
ball team, and 1 hold the amateur rec
ord for putting the shot"
The man of millions lay back in his
padded chair and half shut his eyes.
From beneath puffy lids he scrutinized
ME sharply, stroking the while an i'm
| perial which sprouted sparsely upon a
pointed chin.
"And your scholarship, sir?"
II must refer you to the faculty."
He grunted approval.
slow are you fSed-financially?
1.-TWO hundred and fifteen dollars and
i thirty-fve cents makes up the sum
total of my capital"
"Ahem. and stranger to our city.
Well, Mr.. Livingston" he chucllled
softly, 9TH strain point and be per-
fectly frank with you. 1t happens
that I can use young man like your
self Tiff he be prepared to encounter
danger-I say dangcr-in my service.
Does the word danger daunt you?"
"Not particularly"
"1'm willing to pay the right man
$4,000 a year."
"And the nature of the service, Mr..
Gerard?"
He held mp lean hand "Pardon me,
Mr.. Livingston, we will discuss that
presently. In consideration of the mag
nitude of the salary, you may reason
ably infer that the services required
will be out of the common. All your en-
ergies, capacities, potentialities, must be
devoted to my interests. need, not to
put fine point on it, faithful slave"
Il think" said, rising, "that I'll wish
you good morning"
He frowned and tapped impatiently
upon the table.
I've no fancy" I remarked, "for
golden chains"
Pooh, pooh, my boy! Excuse an old
mans bluntness, but don't be a fool.
This is the opportunity of your life. I
like your face, like your name, and
l am sure you can put the shot. Your
deltoids are admirably developed. You
are, possibly, the only man this side
J of the Rockies who can fill the bill
What, may ask-now, don't get angry
do you consider yourself worth as an
employer"
II can earn with my pen about two
hundred dollars month"