The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-10-15
TAKING
HIS ADVICE.
SO
How a Man Applied a Rule He
Intended For His Neigh
Dor to Himself

town of Torment. 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 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. 1 don't mean you should cheat.
That of course is both wrong and IN
gentlemanIy." 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 clerkship,
and, though l shall be sorry to lose you,
yet I'll give you up If it's for your in
terest."
"Thank you," said Harry, apparent
" 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 1 shall get along some
how"
"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 can give
you some advice"
"Well," said Harry, with some hest
tation, I'm in love, and"-
'1n lover 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 If bright thought had struck him
unless indeed the girl Is rich"
"She is rich or will be, suppose"
answered Harry, "for her father is
wealthy man. But that's Just the diff
Guilty. Her father would never let her
marry a poor man, and she won't mar
ry without his consent"
"What a miserable tyrantT said Mr..
Sheldon. eff 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! 1 never, as I told you, let any
body take rise out Of me-"
"But would that be honorableT
Honorable? Isn't everything fair in
love and war? L thought you had some
pluck, Harry. How should like to see
the stingy old hulk rave and stump
about on his equity toes-for he must be
| gouty-when he heard of your elope-
mentp
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 what
could 1 do, with a wife brought up to
every luxury and only a 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 conf
Dental wink, 'T 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. I saw how you hung about her at
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 a grudge. He tried to do
me in those railway shares last winter,
and mean to pay him for it somehow.
I 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 q month and a
check for $3.50 to pay for your wedding
| trip If you'll make a runaway match.
Is it agreed? 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 himw
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
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
! showed her your check that she would consent to
| do so. She said that she was sure you would not
| recommend anything that was wrong; that you
| would advise her as II you were her own father,
and she hopes you will stand by us. We shall be
married tomorrow, before Mr.. Meadows b up.
Very thankfully, HARRY CONRAD
The old gentleman brought the note
with him to the table. opened 1t out be-
fore him. adjusted his spectacles and
read It over and over again.
"I'd give $780," he said, chucklings
ito see the old fellows face when he
hears how Harry has done him"
1t was the custom Of Mr.. Sheldon to
read his newspaper at breakfast while
waiting for his only child and daugh-
ter, who, little spoiled by overindulr
gence, was generally late.
But this morning Matty was later
than ever.
The banker had read all the foreign
as we'll as the home news and even Pc
rused Harry's note, and still she had
not made her appearance.
'OThe lazy pussr' 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
I utes, looking very much fiustered.
"If you please, sir" he stammered,
''Miss Sheldon's not in her room, and
the maid says that the bed looks as II
1t hadn't been slept in all night"
The rich merchants jaw fell.
He started up, with a cry of agony, to
go and see, but he was prevented by
the footman appearing at the door with
a telegram.
"a telegram!' cried the merchant,
unfolding it with trembling hands.
"What can 1t mean2 Has she been
! found dead anywhereT
This was the telegram:
Dear Father-Harry and were married at
o'clock this morning. would not consent TO an
elopement till Harry assured me you had advised
It md had shown me your check as proof. he
says you promised to stand by us, and i know
you pride yourself never breaking promise.
| We wait for your blessing. MATTY.
"WNl, neverw calculated Mr.. Shell
den when he had recovered his breath.
'The impudent, disobe"- 7
But here he stopped-stopped and
...o,,,.od I,ie IMId haod which in hiq