Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-02-01
ONE PAY DAY.
BY FRANK HARRINGTON.

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Bob Newell loved Matte Hendry.
She was brisk little stenographer
and bookkeeper employed by the
cycle company of which the senior
Newell was president. Bob was
well dressed fellow whose mission in
life seemed to be the comprising of
his own amusement. When he asked
Matte to marry him she said
Bob, you know 1 love you-no,
wait Listen to what have to say.
You've never done thing toward
supporting yourself, and while your
father may be willing to share his in
come with you to an extent which
would permit you to marry, you would
not desire that, nor should ]. Even
if our pride did not prevent such a
course our Judgment would, for if he
should lose his money you wouldn't
have thu faintest notion of how to
earn enough to keep us. I am going
to make this condition: when you
have secured paying position and
saved $500 of your own earnings, then
we will be married. Do not thing me
hard and mercenary, dear. I truly
love you, but want to start right"
A long and rather businesslike
speech for young woman to make
in answer to a declaration of love from
a man whow she loved; but Matte
Hendry had cool head, and her heart
was under it's control.
Of course Bob acknowledged the
wisdom Of her words, for he was really
sensible fellow, and he left her with
a resolve that on the next day ne
would search for position and begin
to save money.
The following morning he surprised
his father by asking him where he
coSSld find work. Mr.. Newell, after
assuring himself that his son was in
earnest, asked
'Well, Robert. what can you do?"
'.Not thing, father, that any one
would pay me for"
''Do you want to learn a profess
sion?"
''No, no-that takes too long, I
cannot spare the time"
''Well, then," said the older man,
''are you willing to begin at the
bottom of some trade, or would you
rather have cerkship somewhere ?"
81 believe" replied Bob. that I
shall have to learn trade \ should
like that of machinist. If I have
any natural talent it is in that direc-
ton"
So Bob decided to go into the ma
chine shop of the cycle company, and
gin at the foot OF the ladder. He
did SO we'll there that he began climb
ing upward even in the first year; at
the end of the second he had saved
$500 and hoped for promotion, as the
assistant foreman of his department
had been advanced and his position
was to be filled from the shop; but
man younger than Bob, though of
greater experience, was considered
more suitable for the place.
This other man was James Dant, a
SNOWY looking fellow who lived next
door to the Hendrys, circumstance
which enabled him to frequently walk
to and from the factory with Miss
Hendry, o privilege of which he
seemed glad to avail himself, much to
the annoyance of Newell. He was
not jealous of Dant; but he felt that
despite his fair outside appearance he
was untrustworthy, and not fit COM
panion for good woman. He told
Matte so, but of course she only
laughed at him, girl fashion.
"James is all right" she said con-
6dently. 1--WE have been neighbors
ever since we were children"
lis that sufficient to prove him of
good character?" said Newell, sarcas-
tically.
Don't be hateful, Bob. And don't
be imaginative. 1 won't let Dant
walk home with me if you object.
But I'm sure there is no harm in
him."
Bob wasn't; so he watched the
smooth spoken young man, and found
that he had steady acquaintances, kept
late hours, aud gambled.
81 guess shall get that vacancy, "
mused Bob; and he worked harder
than ever.
The factory hands were paid every
two weeks, in cash in envelopes, and
rs there were some 500 of them, the
pay roll amounted to over $500. One
Saturday afternoon Mr.. Hamley, the
manager. brought up to the Office the
money, leaving Miss Hendry to put it
into the envelopes. Hc had no sooner
left her when the door re-opened and
Q man entered. He was we'll dressed,
. stranger, and smilingly bade Matte
''Good afternoon as he advanced.
When near her he suddenly drew Q
revolver and said in low voice
''Hand over that currency, miss
and those filed envelopes, too-you
heard me-! Be quick"