The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-28

" important manufacturing
town Of Tormont He was
proud Of his wealth. but he was still
more proud of the fact that he had
made it all himself, and his pride was
greatest because 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 ia
vorite clerk. "Sharp's the motto. if
you wish to rise. don't mean you
should cheat; that, of course. is both
wrong and ungentlemanly." (Mr.
Sheldon prided himself, also, on being
what he called "a gentleman" and
above all little meannesses) "But
always be wlde-awake, and never let
anybody cheat you. I've noticed. by
the bye, that you've seemed rather
downhearted lately. If it's because
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 1 shall be sorry to lose you,
yet I'll give you up, if it's for your
interest"
''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. 1 suppose 1 shall get
along somehow"
what is it, my dear boy. then?
really take an interest in you, as you
know"-and he did. so far as words
were concerned. Perhaps I can give
you some advice"
well" said Harry. with some hest
tatiqp, "I'm in love, and
"In lover exclaimed the rich merch-
ant. 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-"unlesS. indeed, the
girl is rich"
'She is rich, or will be, l suppose" 7"
answered Harry. "for her father is a
wealthy man. But that's just the diff
ficulty. Her father would never let
her marry 4 poor man. and she won't
marry without his consent"
what miserable tyrant." said
Mr.. Sheldon. IF 1 was the lover,
Harry, I'd run off with her. I'd
checkmate the old curmudgeon in
that way" and he chuckled 1t the i'm
aginary triumph he would achieve.
"Pon my soul. 1 would I never, as
I told you, let anybody take q rise
out of me-"
But would that be honorable?"
Honorable? Isn't everything fair
in love and war? I thought you had
some pluck, Harry. How l should
like to see the stingy old hulk rave
and stamp about on his gouty toes
for he must be gouty-when he heard
of your elopement!
And he laughed till his portly sides
shook ct the picture he had conjured
up.
He'd probably never forgive me"
said Harry. dejectedly. "And then
what could I 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 10 forgive. They
can't help it. Besides with con-
fdential wink. 81 think I know your
man. It's that sklnflint Meadows.
I've heard Of your being sweet on his
daughter. She's 4 pretty mink,
though she is his child. Oh. you
needn't deny it. saw how you hung
about her ut our party the other
night; and when joked about it with
my daughter the next morning she as
good as admitted that it was true,
saying it would be very good match.
for you. Now, owe old Meadows q
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. I mustn't ask,
mind you, who the girl is. Mum must
be the word. I mustn't, Of course. be
known in the affair; but I'll give leave
of absence for month and a checl
for ESQ to pay for your wedding trll
if you'll make runaway match. Is
it agreed? Well. there's my hand or
it. Here's the check. Egad. Won
the old rascal howl when he hears
how we've done him.
Harry seemed to hesitate, however
and it was not till Mr. Sheldon. eager
to see his old commercial rival pu
at a disadvantage, had urged hin
again and again, and promised tc
stand by him, that he finally consent
ed, and took the check which his EN-
ployer persisted in forcing upon him
The next morning Mr.. Sheldon came
down to breakfast in high glee, fol
q note had reached him just as he
was shaving, which ran as follows:
"Dear Sir have. with much diff
Guilty. persuaded her to elope. 1t wa
not, however, till showed her you
a..,. sh.I ,ho .1orld cnnoant fn 10 IN