The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-08-05
81 TAKING
HIS ADVICE.
"rr -~&~-
How a Man Applied Rule He
Intended For His Neigh
Dor to Himself.

Mr.. Sheldon was the principal mer.
chant in the important manufacturing
town Of Tormont. He was proud Of his
wealth, but he was still more proud of
the fact that be had made it all him
self, and his pride was greatest be-
rause he had made it 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 I'M
gentlemanly." Mr.. Sheldon prided him.
self also OH being what he called
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 downllcarted lately. II 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 clerkship,
and, though shall be sorry to lose you,
yet III give you up If it's for your in
terest."
"rhank you," said Harry, apparent
ly not 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? l
really take an interest In you, as :ou
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 mcr-
chant. "In love and with only clerks
salary to marry on. 1t will never do
never do. Harry. Marriage for one like
you is fastening milestone round your
neck unless indeed"-and he stopped.
as If bright thought had struck him
"unlcss indeed the girl is rich.'
'She Is rich, or will be- suppose"
answered Harry, "for her father is a
wealthy man. But that's just the dill.
Guilty. Her father would never let her
marry poor man, and she won't mar.
w without his consent"
"Wllat a miserable tyrant" said Mr..
Sheldon. "If was the lover, Harry,
I'd run off with her. I'd checkmate the
old curmudgeon in that way" And he
chuckled at the imaginary triumph he
would achieve. "'Pon my soul,
would! never, as told you. let any
body take rise out Of me-"
"But would that be honorable?"
Honorable? Isn't everything fair In
love and war? thought you had some
pluck, Harry. How Eshould like to see
the stingy old hulk rave and stump
about OH his gouty toes-for he must be
gouty-when he heard of your elope-
ment" % ~
And he laughed till his portly sides
shook at the picture he had conjured
up.
He'd probably never forgive me-
said Harry dejectedly. "And then whnt
could do. with wife brought up to
every luxury and only poor clerks
salary to support her on?''
"Never forgive you? Trash and non.
sense! They always do forgive. They
can't help 1t. Besides" with conf.
dental wink, II think l know your
man. It's that skintiint, Meadows. I've
heard Of your being sweet OH his
daughter. She's pretty mink, though
she is his child. Oh, you needn't deny
it. l saw how you hung about her at
our party the other night, and when l
toked about 1t with my daughter the
next morning she as good as admitted
that 1t was true, saying it would be a
very good match for you. Now, owe
old Meadows grudge. He tried to do
me In those railway shares last winter,
and mean to pay him for 1t somehow.
l tell you what I'll do. must not ask,
mind you. who the girl Is. Mum must
b. the word. l must not Of course be
known In the affair, but I'll give you
leave of absence for a month and o
check for $3.50 to pay for your wedding
trip II you'll make runaway match.
Is it agreed! Well, there's my hand on
It. Here's ,ttha check. Egad! Won't
The old maj u he hears how
we've done N,.-
Harry seemed to hesitate, however,
and 1t 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 be finally consented and took the
check which bis employer persisted In
forcing upon him.
The next morning Mr.. Sheldon came
down to breakfast In high glee, for
note had reached him just us he was
shaving which ran 90 follows: ''At
Dear sir--1 have, with much dimculty, persusd.
ed her to elope. 1t was not, however, till !
showed her your check that she would consent to
do 20. She nid that she was sure you would not
recommend anything that was wrong; that you
would advise her - II YOU were her own father.
and he hopes you will stand hy ". We khsl b