The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-16
fsaAOn1aAAAseA4A1AteAe'A 2 One of the City's Own , G GAva~e~-AxtexAxAxAye5


 received more or less well-deserved "wigging," and there was a general feeling of worse to follow
 At last a small office boy entered the clerks office and sald in a shrill voice:
 ~Mr. Redbolt is to go to the gov ernor at once"
 There was mischievous grin on the young gentlemen's face, as if he knew what was coming, and most of the others, delighted at their own escape, chuckled, like many people do when some one else is in trouble.
 Joe Redbolt turned just shade paler when his name was called out, as if he, too, anticipated serious trouble, but he set his lips and stiff fened his back, like 6 man who is go- ing to make the best of bad job.
 ''Good~by, Reddie, dear!" said some body, with an unpleasant sheer "If the governor gives you a rise, don't forget to stand drinks
 "Reddfe looks worriedl" murmured the cashier
 Perhaps she has refused him after all" remarked another.
 A moment later he was in the pri- vate office
 Young Nr. Dewhurst, who had man. aged the business since the death of bis father, gave him furtive look as he entered, and then turned hurriediy 10 a bundle of correspondence by his side and selected letter with an air of malicious satisfaction.
 The two men formed an odd con- trast. They were of about the same age-2s or perhaps 30-but it re- quired no great insight to perceive the difference ln their characters Redbolt was tall, straight-built and frank-loOlGng; his principal was small. insignificant and obviously one of natures sneaks.
 One could imagine Redbolt being foolish, but never cowardly; one could imagine Mir. Dewhurst being sly. but never generous.
 The interview was unusual; there seemed to be something in the back ground about which neither man
 
 master of the situation, and resolved to use his power; his managing clerk looked self-reliant, but perfectly re- spectful and polite.
 The ball was opened by Mir. Dew hurst unfolding 6 cantankerous com plaiHt from an unimportant customer. It 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-hnding, and he knew by instinct that the climax had been reached.
 How do you account for this blun- der?" said Mir. DewhurSt suspi- ciously.
 His clerk gave simple, straightfor- ward explanation, which, to reason able man, would have been sufficient But Mir. Dewhurst was not in req sonable humor.
 1t appears to me, then, that you are not in any way to blame, Mir. Red- bolt?" he said cynically.
 ''1 think not"
 "You never make mistaken"
 "Not very often."
 "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. q acted under your in- structions.2 This appeared to give the un- worthy little tyrant his opportunity. You are more than half imperti- nentl" he said roughly.
 "I 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" Mir. Redbolt colored rather pain fully, and his principal continued, with a smile of spiteful triumph: You understand what allude to?" The clerk bowed slightly.
 Then l think you hau better look about for another situation
  last MondayP" inquired Joe Redbolt, in a perfectly even, matter-of-fact voice.
 "Eh. yes," said Mir. Dewhurst. But Iwon't ask you to continue your work here"
 With that he pushed across the ta ble little pile of coins, which had OlA oylx showing that he intended from the first to make use of the opportunity. For the first time Joe Redbolt looked angry. It was adding insult to in- jury to send him away adrift at moments notice, as if he had dis graced himself. It was the more outrageous because he was a distant connection of the Dewhursts by blood. The two young men had been for short time at school together. They had entered the firm together, and Redbolt had worked his way up by sheer ability, under old NIT. Dewhurstis eye, to responsible position.
 Naturally, they knew the same peo- pie, and to some extent visited the same houses, and it was in this way that Dewhurst's inherent jealousy had ripened into positive rancor-for that there was a member of the fair sex at the bottom of it is almost obvious. The innocent cause of the trouble, little dreaming of the mischief she was creating. had thoroughly enjoyed the rivalry of the two men, as every daughter of Eve is bound to do, and she had not made it quite clear which