Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-10-18
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"wigging," and there was a genera.
feeling of worse to follow.
At last a small Office boy entered
the clerks Office and said in a shriL
voice:
"Mr. Redbolt is to go to the gov
ernor at once"
There was a mischievous grin on the
young gentleman's face, as if he knew
what was coming, and most Of the
Others, delighted at their own escape
chuckled, like many people do wher
some one else is in trouble.
Joe Redbolt turned just a shade
paler when his name was called out
as il he, too, anticipated serious
trouble, but he set his lips and stiff.
fened his back, like man who is go.
ing to make the best of bad job.
"Good-by, Reddie, dear!" said some
body, with an unpleasant sneer. III
the governor gives you rise, don't
forget to stand drinks
freddie looks Worried" murmured
the cashier.
"Perhaps she has refused him after
! ALL" remarked another.
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 all
| Of malicious satisfaction.
/. The two men formed an odd con.
trast They were of about the same
ages or perhaps 30-but IL re-
qulred no great insight 10 perceive
the difference an their characters.
Redbolt was tall. straight-built and
frank-Iooking; his principal was
small. insignificant and obviously one
Of natures sneaks.
One could imagine Bedbolt 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
20 use his power; his managing clerk
looked self-reliant. but perfectly re-
spectful and polite.
The ball was opened by Mr.. Dew
hurst unfolding cantankerous com.
plant from an unimportant customer
II was the merest trife, and quite un'
worthy of the occasion. Nevertheless
Joe Redbolt was by no means sur
prised 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
der?" said Mr.. Dewhurst suspi
ciously.
His clerk gave simple, straightfor'
ward explanation. which. TO a reason
able man, would have oeen sufficient
But Mr. Dewhurst was not in rea'
sonable humor.
cit appears to me, then, that you
are not in any way to blame, Mr.. Red
bolt?n he said cynically.
II think not"
''You never make mistaken"
"Not very often.n
"Who is TO blame, then?"
There was a moments silence, and
the two men looked into one another's
eyes.
you are, sir" said Redbolt, re
spectfully. 81 acted under your in.
structions."
This appeared TO give the I'M
worthy little tyrant his opportunity.
"You are more than half imperti'
nenti" he said roughly.
81 give you my word didn't intend
to be So" said Redbolt, with perfect
good temper.
perhaps not. but I'm tired of it.
You forget your proper position, and
have crossed my will in several ways.
Mr.. Redbolt eolored rather pain
fully, and his principal continued
! with a smile Of spiteful triumph:
"You understand what l allude top
The clerk bowed slightly.
"Then think you had better look
about for another situation"
"Shall we calculate the month from
last Monday?" inquired Joe Redbolt,
in a perfectly even, matter-of-fact
voice.
"Eh, yes" said Mr.. Dewhurst But
! won't ask you to continue your work
here"
With that he pushed across the ia
Bile a little pile of coins, which had
been counted out already, clearly
showing that he intended from the
first to make use of the opportunity.
For the first time Joe Redbolt looked
angry. 1t was adding insult to in
Jury 10 send him away adrift at a
moments notice, as if he had dis
graeed himself.
1t was the more outrageous because
he was a distant connection of the
Dewhursts by blood. The two young
men had been for a short time at school
together. They had entered the firm
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