Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-14

man. he was always working.
Andrew Hunter was not poor. His
business was paying concern, but it
was one that required it's proprietor's
attention, and thus it absorbed more
and more of his time, until at last sell
dom night passed when he was not
busy late in his Office.
But Andrew Hunter was not at
work now. He was at home and en-
joying the luxury of rest.
eff only had more time" he said
to himself, regretfully. "As it is, it's
perfect slavery
He sat gazing into the fire for some
time, until at length he dropped into
sleep.
When he awoke the fire was out, and
it was daylight. He looked at his
watch. Eight o'clock.
''Time to think about breakfast and
going to the city," thought Andrew,
getting up; but he instantly sat down
again and shivered.
"I do believe, said Andrew Hunter,
slowly; II do be ievc Tn i'll. I think
I'll see the doctor before 1 start for
Mammon Court"
go to bed and stop there" was the
verdict of that gentleman. And, despite
Andrews protests, he would hear of
nothing else.
At the end of q fortnight Andrew
Hunter was once more restored to
health and set off briskly, as usual, for
his Office. He reached it in due time
and was about to enter, when he no.
ticed with surprise that his name had
been removed from his Office door.
Curious thing!" thought Andrew,
as he opened the door and entered.
A strange sight met his gaze. 1t
was the same room; but every desk,
every stool, everything else belonging
to Andrew Hunter q Co. had vanished;
aud, moreover, every clerk in the en-
ploy of Andrew Hunter & Co. had
likewise disappeared. Their place
was taken by an entirely new staff.
One Of the clerks advanced toward
him and inquired his business.
Andrew Hunter was staggered.
''Is not this Andrew Hunter ~ Co. s
placer" he stammered at last
"No. We are. the Time Syndicate of
Great Britain" answered the clerk;
''but this Office was lately occupied by
Andrew Hunter g. Co."
Then it was indeed his own Office.
But what had happened? Had his
brain given way?
SIS your manager in?' he asked.
No. The manager was not in, but
he was expected every minute. Would
he care to wait?
Andrew elected to wait and sat
down. Presently Mr.. Ashmore, the
manager OF the Time Syndicate, ar
rived.
"Good day, Mr.. -" he said.
Hunter" volunteered Andrew.
"Andrew Hunter, of Andrew Hunter
& Co."
"Oh, yes-Mr. Hunter! Very
pleased to see you. What can do
for you?'
"Well. perhaps the first thing you
can do is TO explain your presence in
the office" said Andrew, in tone of
some asperity.
Mr.. Ashmore looked at him keenly.
"Ah, you are fond of joking, Mr..
Hunterp'
Joking? Do I look as if I were
ioking?"
The manager of the Time Syndicate
gasped.
''But-you say you are Mr.. Andrew
Hunter-surely you have not forgotten
the agreement we entered into for the
transference of the office-an agree
ment which bears your signatureY"
my signature?" echoed Andrew.
eft is forgery, then"
Mr.. Ashmore looked again at the
man before him. He seemed sane
enough.
''There seems to be some mistake,
or worse" he said, land one or both
of us have been victimized But per-
haps I had better expla IL to you the
state of affairs. About fortnight ago
1 was in want of Offices into which I
could move at once. About the same
time became acquainted with Mr..
Morgan, your manager. He informed
me that you intended to move into Of
fees in another part of this building.
AS you were unwell, and we were in a
hurry to take possession, all the ar
rangements were made through Mr..
Morgan and he obtained your sigma
ture to the agreement. Here it is" !"
And, unlocking a drawer, he took out
document, which he handed to An
drew.
'"This is not my signature, said
Andrew, decidedly. "But am utter
ly amazed at Morgan's behavior.
He spoke the last words in tone Of
regret rather than anger. John Nor
gan was the last man he would have
suspected of double-dealing. He had
trusted him entirely, and had recently
been conside ing the advisability of
taking him as partner. In fact, that
morning he had decided on this course,
and his resolve had been strengthened
by the fact that Morgan was suitor
for the hand of his daughter Rose;
and, although that young lady did not
look upon him with any favor, Andrew
Hunter had firmly decided in his own