The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-12-21

to gamble, and I'm not as rich as old
Hammond yet"
"Oh, yes, Dick, dear, and that re-
minds me. Another thing your father
feared was that Mr.. Hammond might
como to know you were u member of the
club. 1t might hurt your prospects in
the bank" she added, not wishing to
brighten the boy with the threat of the
dismissal she felt sure would follow the
revelation.
Dick threw back his head and roared.
For the first time that evening the lines
of care left his brow. Then seeing his
mothers look Of incomprehcnsion he
sobercd down, REFRESHING his mirth with
some difficulty.
Mother" he said at last, "things
have changed since father was n boy.
I'm afraid he hardly appreciates how
much. The old terrifying relations be-
tween employer and employee do not
exist now-at least that is my expert
ence."
Still if Mr.. Hammond came to
know that you spent your evenings
att
"Mother, listen to me n moment. Ju-
us Hammond proposed me for mem
rship in the club-my employer. 1
E Guild nevor have thought of joining if
j. hadn't been for him. You remember
my last raise in salary? You thought
1T was for merit, Of course, and father
thought it was luck. Well, it was
neither-or both, perhaps. Now, this
is confidential and to yourself only. l
wouldn't tell it to any one else. Ham
mond called me into his private Office
II afternoon when tho bank was closed
and said: Saunders, | want you to join
the Athletic club. I'll propose you l
was amazed and told him | couldn't
afford it. yes, you can, he answered.
I'm going to raise your salary double
the amount of entrance fec and annual.
If you don't join, I'll cut it down. So
l joined. l think [ should have been a
fool if L hadn't"
"Dick, 1 never heard of such q thing.
h in the world did he want you to
join for?"
We'll, mother" said Dick, looking
at his watch, "that's a long story.
I'll tell it to you some other evening,
l haven't time tonight. I must be off,.
"Oh, Dick, don't go tonight. Please
stay at homo for my sake"
Dick smootbed his mothers gray hair
and kissed her on the forehead. Then
he said: won't tomorrow night do as
we'll, mother? l can't stay tonight. l
have an appointment at the club"
Telegraph to them and put it off.
Stay for my sake tonight, Dick. Inevor
asked you before"
The look of anxiety oame into his
face aRais-
Mother, it is impossible; really it is.
Please don't ask me again. Anyhow, I
know it is father who wants me to stay,
not you l presume he's ON the duty
tack. l think what ho has to say will
keep till tomorrow night. If he must
work Off some of his sentiments on
gambling, let him place his efforts
where they are needed-let him tackle
julie Hammond, but not during business
hours"
You surely don't mean to say that
a respected business IL banker like
Mr.. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
Don't l? Why Hammond's a plum
ger from Plungorville, if you know what
that means. From 8 to 3 he is the strict
est and best business man in the city.
If you spoke to him then of the True
Blue Athletic club, he wouldn't know
what you were talking about, but after
y O'Clock he'll a any odds you like to
Offer from matching pennies to backing
All unknown horse"
Mrs. Saunders sighed. It was a wicked
world into which her boy had to 20 to
earn his living, evidently.
And now, mother, l must really be
off I1 ctav ot hpprn fo,,,n x:ulL
and take my scolding like a man. Good
night"
He kissed her and hurried away be.
fore she could say anything more. leay-
ing her sitting there with folded hands
to await, with her customary patience
and just a trile of apprehension, the
coming Of her husband. There was no
mlstaking the heavy football. Mrs.
Saunders smiled sadly as she heard it.
remembering that Dick had said once
that, even II he were safe within the
gates or paradise, the sound Of his ia
ther's footsteps would make the chilIs
run up his backbone. She had reproved
the levity of the remark at the time.
but she often thought of it, especially
when She know there was trouble ahead
as there usually was.
where's Richard? Isn't no bome
yet!' were the old mans first words.
lie has been homo, but he had to 20
out again. He had an appointment"
Did You tell him I wanted to speak
with himp"
Yes, and he said he would stay
nome tomorrow night
do ne know that I said tonight?'
I'm sure that 1 told him your
Don't shuttle, now. He either kne,y
or did not. Which is it?"
Yes, he knew, but he thought IL
might not he urgent and he''-
THAI will do. Where is his appoint
ment?'
AT the club, I think"
'Ah-h-h!' The old man dwelt ON the
exclamation as if no had at last drawn
out the reluctant worst.
Did he say when he would be homer"
"No."
very well. l will wait half an hour
ior nm, and If he is not in by that time
L VIII go to his club and have nv talk
with him there"
Old Mr.. Saunders sat erimlv down
with his hat sail on and crossed his
hands over the knob Of his stout walk.
ing stick, watching the clock that tioked
slowly against the wall. Under these
distressing circumstances the old wom-
an LOST her presence of mind and did
inc very thing she should not have
zone She should have agreed with
him hnt f..A--1 n - |