The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-12


Brakeman & Putemout. Six male clerks.
all. supposedly. attending to the law bust
ness of the eminent firm for which they
drew briefs, petitions. answers. reJoinders,
sur-rejoinders. rehuttals. sur-rebuttals
and various other a1nelassified pleading
and back talk Occasionally they drew
their salaries and made bluffs at reading
law -or
Somehow five of them had acquired rep
utations for convivtal turn. and things
wore along until the firm Of Brakeman &
Putemout expected them to acquire a
skate, one at a time, on each alternate
week. The other one, Mr.. Simpson
Skidds never touched It," He was g.
dreamy youth. with doVe-like eyes and a
voice like the soft gurgle Of rain water
falling into mortar bed.
What does Mr.. Slkidds DOR I inquired
of one of the five bibulous students dur
ing the temporary absence from the room
of that interesting young man.
'skidds2 Oh. Skidds does a great deal
more. In fact. than any of the rest Of
US. He sits still and keeps sober"
rs he brilliant in his line Of work-do
you regard him as one possessing a jul
dicial mtnd?''
"Oh, no. not particularly" was the
rather guarded reply. Fact is he's fear
fully slow about his work, and does not
appear to have strong mental grasp on
any intricate law case which he may be
called upon to handle. All Of US have diff
ferent theories concerning the reason he
Is kept by the firm. He's good-natured,
though; here he comes now. You are per-
fectly safe in asking him what valid ex-
cuse there is for his being retained in
the office"
Mr.. Skidds entered at the moment-also
at the door-carrying a copy of Green
leaf on Evidence and bottle Of red ink
A bilious looking youth. with granulated
eye-lids and wet towel about his head
followed him. and with irresolute steps
and kind Of heaven-help-me expression,
ambled to his desk. Mr.. Skidds glanced
at the dissipated clerk dreamfly, and soft
ly whistled 'Ah Warnt Yo' Ma Honey"
Mr.. Skidds.' said. II don't wish you
to think me inQuisitorial or disrespact-
full. but I am what you might term a
student Of human nature. To a certain
extent I have sought information from
your companions in the Office as to their
particular hold on the Arm OF Brakeman
& Putemout. and have been quite gra-
slider me impudent II asked you why you
are retained in the firrn?'
Not at all" he replied. languidly, and
glancing in the direction OF the bilious
youth who had fallen into an alcoholic
trance. with his head over the back Of
his chair. IT don't know that am correct
about the matter. but have my opinion
as to why they retain one sober man in
their employment"
And TfsCk icrRE hot IaeC tv,r, fvo4
''As a curiosity"
The junior member of the great jobbing
firm in clothing Of Sake & Pentacost
threw down a big bundle of orders and
drew a long breath. Then he jotted down
some figures on an envelope. quickly foot
ed them up. and tossed It over to his part
ner with the remark:
Sake, that man Parboil is wonder"
Gee whiz. Pentacost, Is that the
amount Of hts sales for the week?"
Sure thing
We'll. he's a crackerjack''
How many men have we got out on
the road nowf' asked Pentacost.
'Thirty-six." 49,. TX t>-...s...- -.
And this man Parboil is selling more
clothing than ait the rest of the thirty
Ave." rejofned Pentaeost ss2t1~@ ,a $50.
Il believe the figures bear you cut in
that statement. By the way, Parboil Is
coming In tomorrow. Let's do the hand
some by him. and meet him at the station
with carriage"
Correct We won't stand on expense
either. Why, Sake. he deserves q regular
Dewey reception"
This item settled. the two partners turn
ed their attention to other business. and
the day and night wore away. When the
east-bound train arrived ON the following
day Mr.. Pentacest was at the station with
a gorgeous turnout IN the livery line
There was a driver in livery on the box
Of handsome equipage. and from the
body of the vehicle Mr.. Pentacost
emerged. wreathed in smiles as he re-
fected on the handsome thing he was
doing for Parboil- Mr.. Parboil stepped
from the train. grip in hand, and was
met. effasivefy. by Pentacost.
'Ah. my dear fellow. am overjoyed to
meet YOU said the latters II have come
for you with
Parboil abruptly shook himself loose
from the grasp of Mr. Pentacost and
sailed up the platform, ewhere he gave
some directions to the baggageman con-
corning his trunks. Mr.. Pentacost trotted
on after him and aeeosted him with:
My dear Parboil, L am here for you
with a carriage to convey you to your
hotel" I@-# x
"Oh. d-n your carriage" replied Par
OO1t Ill want OIL .Sou Is 10 keep away
from me. Any old hack Is good enough
for me. Besides that, T don't want to
be seen in your companS, either
'Wh-a-a-a-t!' exclaimed the astounded
Pentaeost.
That's what I said." gruf1y replied
Parboil. You go your way and I'll go
mine. I'll see you at the office tomor-
row.
Then Parboil jumped into an ordinary
hack and went to his hotel Mr.. Penta-
cost was troubled. The unexpected had
happened. Still he was inclined to make
allowances. @--fi.--
''ParboA has jag on" he reasoned to
himself. He will be all right tomorrow"
posed to be charitable. He rode back to
the store and related what had happened
to Sake.
Isn't that rather scandalous treatment
for an employee to donate to the firm that
pays him his salary?" inquired Sake
Toughest deal L. ever got in my life
admitted Pentaeost Under ordinary cir
cumstances wouldn't take that from my
own father"
II think will go down to the hotel in
the morning and see him myself" said
Sake. "ParboiI has doubtless been drink
ing. He will feel more like himself in the
morning.
So this arrangement was decided upon
And In the morning Mr. Sake dropped into
the rotunda of Parboil,s hotel and accost-
ed him.
my dear Mr. Parboil,' he said, extend
ing his hand. you cannot imagine the
pleasure 1 have in greeting you home
You have accomplished wonders this
trip"
Say" retorted Parboi, "I wish you
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