Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-24
On His Dignity


A RE you going up to town to-day,
n papa?" asked Muriel Kennard
addressing her father as they sat at
the breakfast table on this crisp aud
sunny September morning.
NO, dear, l have several matters TO
attend to here; the estate accounts and
so forth. which will occupy me for the
greater part of the day"
How is your new secretary get
ting one" she inquired, after short
pause.
He's not fool. but he seems TO
have a somewhat inflated opinion OF
his own Importance"
Mr. Kennard was tall. masterful-
looking man, with keen dark eyes and
hard and severe type Of face. Fifty
five years of age, the banker. for that
was Mr.. Remarks profession, still pre-
served the hale and vigorous appear
ance of a comparatively young man.
"Is his manner Objectionable then,
papa2" she asked. as she rose from
the table.
ayes, it's Objectionable in the sense
that he is rather off-hand and triile
too self-assertiye for a person OF his
position. After all, a secretary is only
a clerk, and clerks must be kept in
their proper place"
In few minutes the banker left the
breakfast room and went to the IL
brary, where his secretary, Mr. Hope,
frank and refined-loolsing young man
with keen, blue eyes and dark, curly
hair, was hard at work.
"Have you finished that statement
relative 10 the rental averagesT he
asked in a snappish tone, as he seated
himself at his table and proceeded 10
glance at sundry documents which the
secretary had placed before him.
"Not yet. Mr. Kennard. You only gave
It TO me last night, you know, and il
will take several hours to finish"
"Nonsensel a junior clerk in my
bank would get through 1t in an hour
You really must bestir yourself a little
il you wish TO remain here. Get on
with that settlement at once. Do you
understand? At once!N
An angry flush mounted the secre-
tary's pale face. and. looking steadily
at his employer, he said in voice, vi
brating with suppressed indignation;
"Mr. Kennard, must really ask you 10
desist from treating me in this fash
ion. I am DESTROYS Of doing my duty
but"
go on with your work. sirl How
dare you attempt TO handy words with
me?"
81 really cannot put up with this SORT
Of treatment any longer" replied tho
secretary, emphatically. Il have beer
here a month. and have patiently sub
mitted to your bullying and browbeat
ing airs, but
But" angrily interrupted the bank
or. as he started 10 his feet. 'you shall
not have the satisfaction Of giving me
notice, young man. You shall go, sir
and at once. The idea of a paltry
fellow such as you, man in receipt
of two pounds a week, and not worti
even that. daring to-"
At that instant Muriel Kennard en-
tered the room and an expression o
pain and regret clouded her face a.
her eyes fell upon the two men.
This precious secretary of mine
Muriel." continued the banker. turning
to his daughter. wishes to reverse on
positions. lie thinks he knows the du
ties Of an employer better than DO 81
] have"
81 merely resented. and now reseni
Mr. Kennard. your gratuitously insult
ing treatment of me-" said the score
tary, in a tone Of firm and manly pro
test.
I Miss Kennard hurriedly retreaie
, from the room. evidently much dis
iressed by the painful scene.
\ you quite understand that after 70
: day your services will not be needle
here?" continued the banker. address:
ing Gerald Hope. who had quietly re
sumed his work al table at the oppC
site side OF the room.
= The secretary bowed. and with
snort OF petulance and Impotence hi
! irritable and oyerbeariug employe
quilted the room.
. Gerald Hope blamed himself &c
what had occurred. feeling that II
: had taken an earlier opportunity {
protesting against Mr. Nennard's otfeI
sive bearing, he might have sueceede