The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-09-07

of six months.
"Just my luck" grumbled Ebert
Corey, who had just begun his new ca
reer with an enthusiasm that would
have made him quite as successful as
his friend had it only lasted-"just
my luckl Here am, still at the foot
Of the ladder, and I'm sure deserve
promotion just as much as Frank
does.''
'Of course, you do" said Winston
Brown, one of the clerks, to whom he
addressed the remark. You're twice
the fellow that Bentley is; but he has
managed somehow to get into the
good graces of Mr. Holt. Why, the po-
sition he's been given is mine by
rights. I've earned it, and I'd have
had it If Holt wasn't so strongly influ-
cnced by his personal likes and dis
likes. / don't wonder that you're mad,
Corey. Bentley is getting nearly twice
the salary that you are now, and
there's no justice in it,"
Winston Brown was five years El-
bert's senior, and was by no means a
desirable companion for the boy. He
wassa man of dissipated habits, and
this was the true reason for his non
promotion. Indeed, he would have
been discharged from the firms en-
ploy long since had it not been for the
fact that he was relative of the
junior partner, Mr. RedAeld.
Ebert had never particularly liked
him, but these words of sympathy, as
he considered them, were very CRATE
full, and be began to think that Brown
was better fellow than he had sup
posed.
This was the beginning of On inti-
macy between them, and under his
new associates influence Elbert soon
became so negligent Of his duties that
he was at last very sharply repri-
manded by the firm.
by George, you're in hard luck.
Corey!" said Winston Brown to him
that evening as they left the store to-
gether. ITS rough that you should
get such blowing up ON the very
same day ti,at Bentley receives his
second promotion. You've not been
treated fairly"
Frank Bentley promoted again!"
exclaimed Ebert, in astonishment.
you must be mistaken; l haven't
heard anything about it'll"
"0h, no, I'm not mistaken. 1t only
happened an hour ago. chanced to
be in the office at the time, and
heard Mr.. Holt tell him that he could
have the place of Tom Marvin, who is
going into business for himself That
means a couple of hundred year
more salary"
"Well, I'm glad to see Frank get
ting along SO we'll" said Ebert, trying
to hide his chagrin.
'sOf course you are. But you'd be
gladder to see yourself getting along,
wouldn't you2" laughed Brown "But
never mind, your chance will come
yet. I say" he continued, with a
searching glance at his companions
face, II should think you'd want to
get even with the firm for the way
they've treated you"
'I do, replied Ebert, his face flush
ing with anger. ''I'd do anything in
the world to get square with them.
I've been treated very shabbily."
$50 you have. Well, maybe can
help you. Who knows? Say, Corey,
Bentley is confidential clerk now
or will be tomorrow, when Marvin
leaves
"Yes."
"Well. he will know the combina-
tion of the safe"
"Yes; what of that?"
why, can't you find it out? You
room with him."
What good will 1t do me to find it
out?"
ut will be money in your pocket
You find out the combination, and tell
me what 1t is-that's all you have to
do. I'll attend to the rest, and you
shall have your share of whatever
T."
"You don't mean to say you're
thinking of robbing the safe?" ex-
claimed Ebert, in horror.
'Hushi didn't say SO, did 1? just
find out the combination for me,
and
II will not do it," said the boy, APP
palled at the idea his companions
words suggested.
"All right said Brown; then let
us change the subject. / thought per-
haps you'd like to make some money,
for l know you're getting deeper into
debt every day; but I suppose you
know your own business best"
1t was true that Ebert was in debt.
He had for some time been living be-
yond his means, and now owed more
money than it was likely he would be
able to pay for some time to come"
at isn't worth while pursuing the
subject any further" concluded
Brown. with an air of indifference.
Besides, here comes my friend Jack
Hammond, and suppose he wants me
to play game of billiards with him."
Jack Hammond was a fiashily-
dressed man of about 80, whose ac-
quaintance Brown had made in some
barroom scarcely week before. He
now came up and entered into conver-
sation with the two young men.
Elbcrt took his departure few
minutes AHtcfs lSdNlug Drown ana
Hammond to play their game of bill
lizards.
Angry with the whole world, him
self included, Ebert returned to the
room which he and Frank Bentley oc-
cupied in common. Here he found
Frank awaiting him.
Congratulate me. Ebert" was his
friends cordial greeting. "I've had