The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-05-16
ONE OF THE
CITY'S OWN.

more or less well-deserved "wigging''
and there was general feeling of worse
TO follow.
At last small office-boy entered the
clerks Office, and said, in a shrill
voice:
"Mr. Redbolt is to go to the governor
at once"
There was mischievous grin on the
young gentleman's face, as il he knew
what was coming, and most Of the
Others, delighted at their own escape,
chuckIed, like many people do, when
some one else is in trouble.
Joe Redbolt turned just shade paler
when bis name was called out, as il he,
too, anticipated serious trouble; but he
set his lips and stiffened his back, like
a man who is going TO make the best
of bad job.
"Good-by, Reddie, dearr' said some
body, with an unpleasant sneer, "If
the governor gives you raise, don't
forget to stand drinksp'
freddie looks worried murmured
the cashier.
perhaps she has refused him, after
allr' remarked another.
Mr.. Redbolt made no answer to the
chaff, but strode briskly across the
room.
A moment later he was In the pri-
vate Office.
Young Mr.. Dewhurst, who had man
aged the business since the death of his
father, gave him a furtive look as he
entered and then turned hurriedly TO a
bundle of correspondence by his side
and selected a letter with an air of
malicious satisfaction.
The two men formed an odd con-
trast. They were Of about the same
ages or perhaps 30-but it required
no great insight to perceive the differ
ence in their characters Redbolt was
tall, straight-built, and frank looking;
his principal was small, Insignificant,
and obviously one of Natures sneaks.
One could imagine Redbolt being
foolish. but never cowardly; one could
imagine Mr.. Dewhurst being sly, but
never generous.
The interview was unusual, there
seemed TO be something in the back
ground about which neither man spoke
Mr.. Dewhurst was clearly master of the
situation, and resolved to use his pow
er; his managing clerk looked self
reliant but perfectly respectful and
polite.
The ball was opened by Mr.. Dew
hurst unfolding a cantankerous COM
plant from an unimportant customer.
II was the merest trifie, and quite un-
worthy of the occasion. Nevertheless
Joe Redbolt was by no means surprised
at the tone adopted. For some time
past the smallest opportunities had
been seized for fault finding, and he
knew by instinct that the climax had
been reached.
"How do you account for this blum
der7' said Mr.. Dewhurst suspiciously.
His clerk gave a simple, straight
forward explanation, which to a reas-
enable mau, would have been sufii-
cienL
Blu. Mr. Dewhurst was Aot IN a
reasonable humor.
''It appears to me then, that you are
not in any way TO blame, Mr.. Red
belt?' he said cynieally.
al think not"
''You never make mistake? ?n
'Not very often"
"Who is to blame, then?n
There was moments silence, and
the two men looked into each others
eyes.
"You are, sir" sad Redbolt respect
fully. ~ acted under your instrue-
tions."
This appeared to give the unworthy
little tyrant his opportunity.
"You are more than half imperti-
nentp' he said roughly.
81 give you my word that | don't
intend to be so" said Redbolt, with
perfect good temper.
perhaps not; bat Tm tired of 1t.
You forget your proper position, and
have crossed my will in several ways
Mr.. Redbolt colored rather painfully,
ana ais principal continued, with q
smile of spiteful triumph:
"You understand what 1 allude to?"
The clerk bowed slightly.
'Then think you had better look
around for another position"
"Shall We calculate the month from
last Monday ?" asked Joe Redbolt, in q
perfectly even, matter-offact voice.
"Eh, yes" said Mr.. Dewhurst. "But
1 won't ask you to continue your work
here"
With that he pushed across the table
little pile of coins, which had been
counted cut already, clearly showing
that he intended from the first to make
use Of the opportunity.
For the srst time Joe Redbolt locke d
angry. 1t was adding insult TO injury
to send him away at a moments no
tice, as If he had disgraced himself.
1t was the more outrageous because
he was a distant relation Of the Dew
hursts by blood The two young men
had been for short time at school
together, and Redbolt had worked his
way up by sheer ability. under old Mr..
Dewhurst's eye TO responsible posi-
tioa.
Naturally, they knew the same peo-
pie, and, TO some extent, visited the
same houses; and it was in this way
that DewhuIs.'s inherent jealousy had
ripened into positive rsncor-for thai
there was Q member Of the fair sex 81