Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-08-31
TAKING
HIS ADVICE.
-s0e-
How a Man Applied a Rule He
Intended For His Neigh
Dor to Himself.

Mr.. Sheldon was the principal @exs
chant in the important manufa ctUrt1G
town of Tormont. 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. | don't mean you should cheat.
That Of course is both wrong and un-
gentlcmanly." 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 yet to make,
don't despair, but follow my advice.
An opening will come at some time
for something better than a clprkship,
and, though shall be sorry to lose you.
yet III give you up IL it's for your in
tereSt"
THANK 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. l suppose shall get along some
how"
What is it, my dear boy. then? l
really take an interest in YOU as you
An hn 60
were concerned. Perhaps l can give
you some advice
well" said Harry, with some hest
tation, I'm in love, and"-
"In love" exclaimed the rich mcr-
chant. I'm 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 if bright thought had struck him
"unlcss indeed the girl is rich"
"Shc is rich, or will be, l suppose"
answered Harry, "for her father is a
wealthy man. But that's just the diff
Guilty. Her father would never let her
marry poor man, and she won't mar
ry without his consent"
What a misera BILE tyrant!" said Mr..
Sheldon. "If l was the lover. Harry,
I'd run off with her. I'd checkmatc the
old curmud"eOn in that way" And he
chucllcd at the imaginary triumph he
wOul,i achieve "'Pon my soul, |
would! | never, as l told you, let any
body take rise out of me-"
"But would that be hOnOrable?'
Honorable? Isn't everything fair in
love and WARP l thought you had some
pluck, Harry. How l should like to see
the stingy old hulk rave and stump
about on his gouty toes-for he must be
gouty-when he heard Of your elope-
mcnt?'
And he laughed till his portly sides
shook at the picture he had conjured
up.
He'd probably never forgive me-"
said Harry de1ectedly. "And then what
could l do. with wife brought up to
every luxury and only poor clerks
salary to support her on?'
"Never forgive you? Trash and nom
sense! They always do forgive. They
can't help it. Besides" with a conf
Dental wink. Il think know your
man. It's that skintllnt, 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. I saw how you hung about her at
our party the other night. and when
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. l owe
old Meadows grudge. He tried to do
me in those railway shares last winter,
and mean to pay him for it somehow.
tell you what I'll do. l 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 month and
check for $3.50 to pay for your VI edding
trip If you'll make 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 him!'
Harry seemed to hesitate, however,
and it was not until Mr.. Sheldon, eager
to see his old commercial rival put at
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 a
note had reached him just as he was
shaving which ran as follows:
Dear Sir-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 was wrong; that YOU
would advise her as If you her own father,
Uil nd Inv Wo hall n.