Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-09

ON HIS DIGNITY.
Observation-Disclosures

Are you going up to town to-day,
papa? asked Mur.el Kennard, ad-
lressIhg her father as they sat at the
breakfast table on tins crisp and sum
~ September morning.
NO. dear, | have several matters to
attend 10 here; .he estate accounts
and so fol,l, fhlsh will occupy me
.or the greater part Of the day"
HOW Is Year new secretary getting
'n?o she nqulrtl after short pause.
He's h1t fool, but he seems TO
have a Somewhat Inflated opinion OF
ais own importance"
Mr.. kenaarl was a tall, masterful-
ooklng man, with keen dark eyes and
hard and severe type Of face. Fifty.
i've years Of age, the barker, for that
vas Mr.. kennard's profession, still
preserved the hale and vigorous APP
pearance of "A comparatively young
man.
rs his manner objectionable then,
papa" she asked as She rose frsm the
table.
Yes, it's Objectionable in the sense
that he is rather oif-hand and a trihe
too self-assertve for "A person of his
position. After all, 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,
q frank and retined-looking young
man with keen blue eyes and dark
curly hair, was hard at work.
Have you finished that statement
relating to the rental averages YETI"
he asked in snapp,sh tone, as he
seated himself at his table and pro-
seeded to 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 it will take several hours to fin,
sh."
Nonsense! a junior clerk in my
bank would get through it in an hour.
You really must bestir yourself lit
tie If you wish to remain here. Get
on with that settlement at once. DO
vOu understand? At Once!'
An angry flush mounted to the sec.
retary's pale face, and looking stead
tly at his employer, he said in a voice
vibrating with suppressed indigna.
zion, MR. Kennard, ! must really ask
you to desst from treating me in this
fashion. | am DESTROYS of doing my
duty, but"
GO on with your work, sir! How
dare you attempt to handy words
with me?'
Il really cannot put up with this
tort Of treatment any longer" replied
the secretary, emphatically. Il haven't
been here month, and have patient
ly submitted to your bullying and
brow-beating airs, but"
But" angrily interrupted the
banker, as he started to his feet, you
shall not have the satisfaction of CIV
mg me notice, young man. You shall
go, sir, and at once. Inc idea of .
paltry fellow such as you, a man in
receipt of two pounds a week, and
not worth even that, daring to-"
AT this instant Murlel Kennard en-.
tered the room, and an expression OF
pain and regret clouded her face as
uer eyes fell upon the two men.
"Ths precious secretary Of mine,
Nuriel," continued the banker, turn
ng to his daughter, wishes to re-
1erse our positions. He thinks he
inows the duties of an employer bet
ter than do. so | have
81 merely resented, and | now re.
sent, Mr. Kennard, your gratuitousIy
insulting treatment of me, said the
secretary in tone of firm and manly
protest.
Miss kennard hurrieuly retreated
from the room. evidently much dis
tressed by the painful scene.
You quite understand that after
to-day your services will not be need
ed here" continued the banker, ad-
dressing Gerald Hope, who had quiet
" resumed his work at table at the
opposite side of the room.
The secretary bowed, and with a
mort Of petuence and Impotence, his
irritable and overbearing employer
quilted the room.
Gerald Hope blamed himself for
what had occurred, feeling that IT he
had taken an earlier opportunity OF
against Mr.. Remarks Of
fensiye bearing, he might have sue
seeded in bringing the choeric gentle
man to his senses.
IN the evening, when the secretary
vas on the point of leaving to return
to his lodgings in Keverton, small
rillage in the neighborhood, Mr.. Ken
nard entered the room and handed
him a check for eS. saying, THAT
terminates all business transactions
between us. And now take my advice,
voung man, and endeavor henceforth
10 cultivate more respectful attitude
towards your superors.'
II don't think you are in position
TO give advice to anybody upon that
subject, Mr., Kennard. You may be
rich, but allow me to remind you that
mere wealth does not confer superior.