The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-08-30
TAKING
HIS ADVICE.
!, How O Man Applied a Rule He
Intended For His Neigh
i. Dor to Himself

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Mr.. Sheldon was the principal mer.
chant in the Important manufacturing
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 IL you wish
to rise. | don't mean you should cheat.
That of course is both wrong and un.
gentlemanly." Mr.. Sheldon prided him.
self also on being what he called q
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. 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 a clerkship
and. though shall be sorry to lose you,
yet I'll 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?
really take an interest In you. as yoG
know" And he did 80 far as words
were concerned. Perhaps 1 can give
you some advice"
Well" said Harry. with some hest
tation, I'm in love. and"-
In love" exclaimed the rich mer
chaut. I'm love and with only clerks
salary to marry on. 1t will never do
never do. Harry. Marriage for one Nike
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 q
wealthy man. But that's just the diff
Guilty. Her father would never let heI
marry a poor man, and she won't mar
~ without his consent"
What a miserable tyrant" said Mr..
Sheldon. IF ! was the lover. Harry,
I'd run of with her. I'd checkmate the
old curmudgeon In that way" And he
chuckled at the imaginary triumph h,
would achieve. "'Pon my soul, ]
would! 1 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 / 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.
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 what
could do. with a wife brought up tc
every luxury and only a 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 a conf.
Dental wink. Il think l know youl
man. It's that skinfiint. 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. / 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 it would be a
very good match for you. Now, owe
old Meadows a grudge. He tried to do
me in those railway shares last winter,
and i 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
be the word. | must not of course be
known in the affair. but I'll give you
leave Of absence for a month and a
check for $3.50 to pay for your wedding
trip II you'll make a 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 himr'
Harry seemed to hesitate, however,
and it 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 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 q
note had reached him just as he was
shaving which ran as follows:
Dear sir-I have. with much difhculty, persuad
ed her to elope. II was not. however, till
showed her your check that she would consent to
do So She said that she was sure you would no.
recommend anything that was wrong; that you
would advise her II you were her own father.
and she hopes you will stand by We shall be
married tomorrow. bsfcrs Mr.. MeadoSs h up.
Very thankfully. HARzr coxAAo.
The old gentleman brought the note
with him to the table. opened 1t out BE-
fore him, adjusted his spectacies and
read 1t over and over again.
I'D give $780," he said. chuckling
ito see the old fellows face when h
hears how Harry has done him"
1t was the custom of Mr.. Sheldon Il
read his newspaper at breakfast while
waiting for his only child and daugh
ter. who, little spoiled by overhaul
genee, was generally late.
But this morning Matty was late
than ever.
The bunker had read all the fore!gl