The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-03-06
On His Dignity


RE you going up to town to-day,
IA papa ?" asked Muriel Kennard,
addressing her father as they sat at
the breakfast table on this crisp and
sunny September morning.
NO. dear. | 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 on?" she inquired, after a short
pause.
Hes not fool, but he seems TO
have somewhat inflated opinion Of
his own Importance"
Nr. Keunard was a tall. masterful-
looking man. with keen dark eyes and
! hard and severe type of face. Fifty
i've years of age. the banker. for that
vas Mr.. Remarks profession. stin pre-
served the hale and vigorous appear
anee Of 4 comparatively young man.
rs his manner Objectionable, then.
papa?" she asked, as she rose from
the table.
Yes. it's Objectionable in the sense
that he is rather off-hand and trihe
too se!f-assertive for a person of his
position. After all. secretary is only
clerk. ard clerks must be kept III
their proper place"
In few minutes the banker left the
breakfast room and went to the IL
brary, where his secretary, Mr.. Hope.
a frank and refned-looking young man
with keen. blue eyes and dark. curly
hair. was hard at work.
Have you finished that statement
relative to the rental ayerages?" he
asked in a snappish tone, as he seated
himself at his table and proceeded TO
glance at sundry documents which the
secretary had placed before him.
mot yet, Mr. Kennard. You only gave
it to me last night. you know, and it
will take several hours TO finish"
"Nonsensel a junior clerk in my
bank would get through it in an hour.
You really must bestir yourself little
il you wish to remain here. Get on
with that settlement at once. Do you
understand? At oncel-
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 tn
desist from treating me in this fash
ion. am DESTROYS Of doing my duty,
but"
go on with your work, sir! How
dare YOU attempt to handy words with
me?"
II really cannot put up with this sort
of treatment any longer" replied the
secretary, alphabetically. Il have beer
here q month. and have patiently sub
mitted to your bullying and bIowbeat
ing airs, but"
But" angrily interrupted the bank
er, as he started to his feet. you shall
not have the satisfaction Of giving mS
notice, young man. You shall go, sir
and at once. The idea OF paitry
fellow such as you, man in receipt
of two pounds week. and not worth
even that. daring to
At that instant Muriel Kennard en-
tered the room and an expression o.
main aud regret elouded her face al
her eyes fell upon the two men.
This precious seeretery of mine
Nuriel." continued the banker. turning
to his daughter. wishes TO reverse ou
positions. He thinks he knows the du
ties Of an employer better than do, ST
l have"
II merely resented. aud now resent
Mr.. Kenuard. your gratuitously insult
ing treatment of me- said the secre
tary. in a tone of firm and manly pro
test
Miss Kennard hurriedly retreate'
from the room. evidently much dis
tressed by the painful scene.
"You quite understand that after to
day your services will not be needle
here?" continued the banker. address
ing Gerald Hope. who had quietly rs
sumed his work at table al the oppo
site side Of the room.
The secretary bowed. and with
snort Of petulauce and Impotence hi
irritable and overbearing employe
quilted the room.
GsTs'd Hope blamed himself 70
what had occurred. feeling that If h
had taken an earlier opportunity Q
protesting against Mr.. Remarks offer
sive bearing, he might have sueceede