The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-07-31

Mr. Sheldon was the principal mer-
chant in the important manufacturing
town Of Torment. He was proud of his
wealth, but he was still more proud of
the fact that he had made it all him
self. and his pride was greatest be
cause he had made 1t by never allowing
anybody to get ahead of him.
THAT'S the secret of success In life,
Harry" he said one day to his favorite
clerk. "Sharp's the motto If you wish
to rise. l don't mean you should cheat.
That of course is both wrong and un-
gentlemanly" Mr.. Sheldon prided him
self also ON being what he called
Eent.eman and above all little mean
nesses. But always he vide awake
and never let anybody cheat you. I've
noticed, by the bye that you've seemed
rather downhearted lately. If It's be-
cause you've your fortune yet TO make,
don't despair, but follow my advice
An opening Will come at some time
for something better than II clerkship,
md, though shall be sorry to lose YOU
yet I'll give you up if it's for your in
terest"
"Thank YOU said Harry, apparent
ly not a bit cheered up by this cool way
of being told he had nothing TO expect
from Mr.. Sheldon. but it's not exactly.
that ! suppose | shall get along some
how"
"What is 1t, my dear boy, then? 1
really take an interest in you, as you
know" And lie did SO far as words
We're concerned. perhaps | can give
you some advice
WELL said Harry. With some hest
tation, I'm IN love, and
lin lover exclaimed the rich mer-
chant. an love aud with only "A clerks
salary 10 marry on. 1t will never do
never do, Hurry. Marriage for one like
you is fastening n milestone round your
neck unless indeed" and lac stopped,
as If bright thought had struck him
"unless indeed the girl is rich"
"She Is rich, or viii be, suppose"
answered Harry, for her father Is
wealthy man But that's Just the diff
Guilty Her father would never let her
marry a poor man, and she won't mar
ry without his consent"
what miserable tyrant" said Mr.
Sheldon. If | was the lover, Harry,
ia run off with her. I'd checkmate the
old curmudgeon in that way" And he
chuckled at the imaginary triumph he
would achieve. Pom my soul, l
would! | never as | told you, let any
body take IA rise out Of me-"
But would that be honorablef"
Honorable? Isn't everything fair in
love and war? ! thought you had some
pluck, Harry. How l should like to see
the stingy old hulk rave and stump
about on his equity toes-for lie must be
equity when he heard OF your elope-
mentl"
And he laughed till his portly sides
shook at the picture he had conJured
up.
He'd probably never forgive me-"
eaid Harry dejectedly, "And then what
could l do, with a wife brought up to
every luxury and only Il poor clerks
salary to support her on"
"Never forgive you? Trash and non
sense! They always do forgive, They
cant help it. Besides" with a conf
dental wink, 81 think ! know your
man It's that skinhlnt, Meadows. I've
heard Of your being sweet on his
daughter. She's a pretty mink, though
she is his child. Oh, you needn't dehy
it. / saw how you hung about her at
our party the other night and when 1
joked about 1t with my daughter the
next morning she as good as admitted
that it was true, saying it would be a
very good match for you. Now, | owe
old Meadows a grudge. He tried to do
me In those railway shares last winter,
and | mean to pay him for 1t somehow.
| tell you what I'll do. | must not ask,
mind you, who the girl is. Mum must
be the word. | must not of course be
known In the affair, but I'll give you
leave of absence for a month and a
check for $3.50 To pay for your wedding
trip il you'll make a runaway match.
Is it agreed? Well, there's my hand on
it. Here's the check. Egad! Won't
the old man howl when he hears how
we've done hlmr
Harry seemed to hesitate, however,
and it was not until Mr.. Sheldon, eager
to see his old commercial rival put at a
disadvantage, had urged hin again and
again and promised 10 stand by him
that he finally consented and took the
check which his employer persisted in
forcing upon him
The next morning Mr.. Sheldon came
down to breakfast In high glee, for a
note had reached him just as he was
shaving which ran as follows
Dear Sri have. with much difficulty. persusd,
ed her to elope II not, however, till |
showed her your check that she would consent 10
do 50. She said that she sure you would not
recommend anything that wrong; that you