Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-08-08
TAKING
HIS ADVICE.
80
How q Man Applied Rule He
Intended For His Neigh
Dor to Himself


Mr.. Sheldon was the principal nSr-
chant in the important manufacturing
town of Tormont. He was proud OF his
wealth, but he was still more proud OF
the fact that he had made 1t 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 favorita
clerk. "Sharp's the motto If you wish
to rise. don't mean you should cheat.
That Of course is both wrong and IN
| gentlemanly." Mr.. Sheldon prided him
self also on being what he called a
! gentleman and above all little mean
nesses. But always be wide 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 Jet to make,
don't despair, but follow my advice.
An opening will come at some time
! for something better than q clerkship,
and, though I shall be sorry to lose you.
yet I'll givo you up II it's fOr your In
terest."
THANK you." said Harry, apparent
ly not bit cheered up by this cool way
of being told be had nothing to expect
from Mr.. Sheldon, but it's not exactly
that suppose shall get along some
how"
"What IL 1t, my dear boy, then? I
really take an interest in you, as you
know" And he did So far as words
were concerned. Perhaps can give
you some advice"
"Well," said Harry, with some hesi-
tation, I'm in love, and
"In love!" exclaimed the rich mer-
chant. "In love and with only a clerks
salary to marry on. 1t will never do
never do, Harry. Marriage for one like
you Is fastening a milestone round your
neck unless indeed"-and he stopped,
as II bright thought had struck him
unless indeed the girl II rich"
| "She is rich, or will be, I suppose"
answered Harry, "for her father is a
| wealthy man. But that's Just the diff
Guilty. Her father would never let her
| marry n poor man, and she won't mar
ry without his consent.
What a miserable tyrantw said Mr.
Sheldon. IF I was the lover, Harry,
I'd run of with her. I'd checkmate the
| old curmrdgeon In that way" And he
chuckled <; the imaginary triumph he
would achieve. "'Pon my soul. 1
would ! rever, as told you. let any
| body take rise out Of me-"
"But wculd that be honorable~
"Honora BILE? Isn't everything fair In
love and war7 1 thought you had some
| pluck, Harry. How should like to see
the stingy old hulk rave and stump
| about on Lis gouty toes-for he must be
| gouty-when he heard of your elope-
| mentv'
And he laughed till his portly sides
| shook at the picture he had conjured
up.
He'd probably never forgive me-"
raid Harry dejectedly. "And then what
could I do. with wife brought up to
every luxury and only poor clerks
salary to support her onT
Never forgive you? Trash and nom
sense! They always do forgive. They
! can't help 1t. Besides" with conf
| Dental wink, II think 1 know your
man. It's that skinfint, Meadows. I've
| heard Of your being sweet on his
daughter. She's pretty mink, though
| she Is his child. Oh, you needn't deny
It. / saw how you hung about her at
our party the other night, and when l
| joked about 1t with my daughter the
| next morning she as good as admitted
that 1t was true, saying 1t would be
very good match for you. Now, I owe
old Meadows a grudge. He tried to do
me in those railway shares last winter,
and mean to pay him for 1t somehow.
! I tell you what I'll do. I must not ask,
/ mind you, who the girl is. Mum must
be the word. I must not Of course be
known in the affair, but I'll give you
leave Of absence for month and
check for $3.50 to pay for your wedding
! trip Il you'll make a runaway match.
Is 1t agreed7 Well, there's my hand on
1t. Here's the check. Egad! Won't
the old man howl when he hears how
we've done himr
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 him again and
again and promised TO 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
note had reached him Just as he was
shaving which ran as follows:
Dear sfr-I have, with much difficulty, persuad-
ed her to elope- 1t was not. however, till l
| showed her your check that she would consent to
| DO SO. She said that she you would not
| recommend anything that wrong; that you
| would advise her as II you were her own father,
and she hopes YOU will stand by uA We shall bs
married tomorrow. before Mr.. Meadows Is up.
Very thankfully, HARRY CONRAD.
The old gentleman brought the note
with him to the table. opened it out be-
fore him, adjusted his spectacles and
| read it over and over again.
| I'D give S10O." he said, chuckling,
"to see the old fellows face when he
hears how Harry has done him"
| Il custom Of Mr.. Sheldon to
, ..e@.- aper at breakfast while
| .,--, I... $ only child and daugh-
ter, w., = ..,Ie spoiled by overindul-
gence, was generally late.
| But this morning Matty was later
| than ever.
| The banker had read all the foreign
rs we'll as the home news and even pc
| rused Havry's note, and still she had
not made = appearance.
'The lazy puss!' he said at last. Then
he looked up at the clock. Half an
hour late! Now. this is really too bad.
John" he cried. addressing the man
| servant at the sideboard, "send and see
| why Miss Sheldon doesn't come down.
| Tell her" with a severe air, I'm tired
| Of waiting"
| John came back In about five min
| utes, looking very much flustered.
'If you please, sir" he stammered,
| "A1iss Sheldon's not in her room, and
/ the maid says that the bed looks as If