Smyrna times., 1901-09-04

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chant in the 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 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. l 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 |
gentleman and above all little mean I
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 male,
don't despair, but follow my advice.
An opening will come at some time
for something better than a clerkship,
md, 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
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 l suppose shall get along some
how"
"What Is it, my dear boy, then? l
really take an interest in you, as you
know" And he did so far as words
were concerned. perhaps 1 can give
you some advice"
''Well," said Harry, with some hesi-
tation, I'm in love, and"-
In lovev' exclaimed the rich mer-
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 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 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 miserable tyrant" said Mr.
Sheldon. "If l was the lover. Harry
I'd run off with her. I'd checkmate the
old curmudgeon in that way" And hC
chuckled at the imaginary triumph ht
would achieve. "'Pon my soul.
would | never. as l told you. let any
body take a rise out of me-"
But would that be honorable?'
Honorable? Isn't everything fair il
love and war? l thought you had sOm'
pluck, Harry. How l should like to SCI
the stingy old hulk rave and stuml
about on his gouty toes-for he must b'
gouty-when he heard of your elOpe
mentw
And he laughed till his portly side
shook at the picture he had cOnjure
up.
He'd probably never forgive me,
said Harry dc ejectedly. "And then wha
could do. with a wife brought up
every luxury and only a poor clerk
salary to support her On!"
Never forgive you? Trash and mol
sense! They always do forgive. The
can't help it. Besides" with a conf
Dental wink, 81 think l know you
man. It's that skinfiint. Meadows. Nv
heard of your being sweet on hi
daughter. She's pretty mink, thong
she is his child. Oh. you needn't den
it. l saw how you hung about her ;
our party the other night, and when
joked about it with my daughter IL
next morning she as good as admitte
that it was true, saying it would be
very good match for you. Now, oW
old Meadows grudge. He tried to
me in those railway shares last winte
and 1 mean to pay him for it somehoN
tell you what I'll do. l must not as
mind you, who the girl is. Mum mu
be the word. l must not of course
known in the affair, but I'll give "
leave of absence for a month and
check for $3.50 to pay for your weddil
trip if you'll make runaway mate
Is it agreed? Well, there's my hand
it. Here's the check. Egad! Wol
the old man howl when he hears he
we've done himv'
Harry seemed to hesitate, howev'
and it was not until Mr. Sheldon, Gag
TO see his old commercial rival put at
disadvantage, had urged him again a
again and promised to stand by b
that he finally consented and took
check which his employer persisted
forcing upon him.
The next morning Mr.. Sheldon cal
down to breakfast in high glee, fol-
note had reached him just as ne W
shaving which ran as follows:
Dear sr-I have with much difficulty, persv
ed her to elope. It was not, however, til
showed her your check that she would consent
90 So She said that she was sure you would
recommend anything that was wrong; that
would advise her as II you were her fat
and she hopas you will stand by US. We shall