Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-01-22


The Frew assignment! His if he
wanted it. He stammered out some
thing, but the manager interrupted
him with gesture of dismissal be-
fore he could even say how thankful
he was.
"That's all right, but take a little
time to think it over; it may have
more than one side to it, you know.
Come back in fifteen minutes. Of
course you would like to consult your
father about it"-Phil WINGED slight
ly at that-"but there isn't time. You
might ask Appleton's advice, though,
IT he happens along"
Phil went out, dizzy with exulta-
tion. The keen triumph of unthought-
of success set his blood to dancing.
Here was his chance to 'get close up
to the band, and that was the first
principle of business, Mark said.
Why should he take fifteen minutes
to think over it?
Then the thought of John Warner
gave his triumph chill. Was it fair
to shoulder faithful John out of his
rightful place in this way? All
Marks glib sayings went babbling
through his brain to answer that, but
somehow they seemed less inspiring
than at first. Consult your fatherr'
Well, wha5 would his father say
about it?
That question was fiashlight, and
fall at once he saw the forks of the
road before him. The way he took
ha would +,o 1.
for worse. Down he went among the
muddy weeds of the swamp, and
cropped for the fallen finger board.
He found it, and he read it; then he
must choose.
1T isn't fair, and I won't do it!'
He had made his choice; he would not
go back from it; but-"It's pretty
hard to give up such chance as that.
Would be harder for the fellow the
chance belongs to, thought" He
sighed, then smiled. 81 know we'll
enough what father would say-'If
you are not quite sure it's right, you
may be pretty sure it's wrong'-I've
heard him say it many time" He
started for Mr.. Blacks office again.
He'll laugh at me for being silly,
but I can't help that"
Hello, Philip!" There was Mark
Appleton, with more advice, no
doubt. "Know what I'm here for?"
Mark asked complacently.
"No."
"To apply for the Drew assign
ment. If you can't reach what you
want, ask for it.
"You won't get it. 1t isn't your
turn, you know"
TITS anybody's turn that can get
1T, my friend. II L can get it by ask
ing, so much the better for me. If
Warmers too green to ask for it, SO
mHch the worse for him."
els that fair? 1t would 90 to
Warner without asking, if nobody
interfered. And you know as well as
L do how much he needs it,"
YOU'RE pretty green yet, little one.
The survival of the fittest, you know.
| That's business"
''Is it? Then I'm all right, for I've
| got that assignment. Mr.. Black gave
it to me not fifteen minutes ago"
Mark gasped, turned pale, then red,
| dud was Will SOHSIpCluUlOn
for the space of half minute.
"Wha-a-a-t" he stammered then.
''1ou-you don't say you've been
mean enough to take It'll What right
have you to it? The last one taken
on, and you go cutting in ahead of all
the men that have been here for years |
Talk about mean things! I didn't
think you'd play such trick on me,
anyhow, after all I've done for you'll"
"Oh, don't know" Phil had q
malicious pleasure in the miserable
logic of the situation. The prize
is there for whoever can take it, you
know. Never mind about the other
fellows. The place ahead of you is
yours if you can get it, After you
get success there won't be any ques-
tions asked IF you can't get close
up to the band
"Oh, shut up! You've played n
mean trick on friend, and that's all
there is of it. I trusted you, and you
went back on me-"
"You? What right had you to it?
But there; it is mean thing to take
another fellow salary-Imean chance
Just because you can; it would be
just as honest to take his pocketbook.
L was just going in to tell Mr.. Black
that [ wouldn't have the job. CONN
on. "
Wondering whether anybody could
be such fool as Phil Everett made
himself out to be, but determined to
make the most of his foolishness,
Mark followed him into the private
office.
"Mr. Black" Phil looked straight
into the managers eyes and spoke out
bravely. GIVE thought it over about