St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-01-05
Hard Luck
By w. Bert Foster.
SN OW, that's what / call down
1

OW, that's what call down
IN right shame exclaimed MlitoI
Hali.ey, to his feilow-cierk, Ned Steele
s.Old Bowes has more cheek than l gave
him credit for. To think of his asking
YOU to teach that young nephew of hi:
the business, which means your walk
ing ticket sure, as soon as he learns.
wouldn't do it,"
..It is rather hard luck replied Ned
his voice trembling little. He knows
Just how much need the money; and
even if he were going to discharge me
he needn't have asked me to spend q
fortnight or more teaching Charlie
Page all know about the work.
Its taking the bread right out OF
your mouth" said the older clerk, in
dignantly. "Young Page don't need it
either. If were you. Ned. I'D skip. and
let the old man teach his nephew him
self. No one can do your work as you
90 it. anyway"
II shall be on the lookout for another
Job. Works pretty scarce, you know
and it's hard enough living on six dol.
lars week now"
.sYou're right, Ned. I don't see how
you do it. Why, can't live half de-
cent on $50 a month, and I've no one
to look afrer but myself
.sYet mother and Nan and have got
along very well so far, and probably
there'll be a way opened" said Ned.
cheerfully, as he turned to his desk.
well. you're a wonder to me" NUT
tered Milton.
Young Hartley could not. and prob
ably never would, understand the mean
ing of economy. He spent all he had
and found that far from enough, al
though his income was twice that OF
Ned Steele.
Hartley was head clerk when Ned en-
tered the employ of Bowes & Co.. nearly
a wear before. and Ned had taken what
the boys call "a shine to the flashily-
dressed and careless young man of the
world. Not that Ned was led into the
tie certainly questionable company in
which Milton Hartley shone; but he
admired from distance.
Their lives were entirely different,
and always would be, Ned told himself.
lie had mother and little sister 10
help support, and such pleasures as his
fsllow-clerk INDUCED in were not for
him.
Hard luck. that's what it is he
thought. as he leaned over his books.
Only that noon Mr.. Bowes had called
his Youngest clerk into the private OF
flee, and shooting piercing glance
over his gold-bowed spectacles at Ned.
rs was his habit when talking, said.
sternly:
..Mr. Steele. my nephew. Charles
Tage. will be here next Monday morn
irg, and wish you to teach him your
work thoroughly. 1 intend to make
some changes here shortly. That is
all"
That was all; but il meant everything
to Ned more than he had even let Mil
ION know; and now. as he bent low over
Tie page of his ledger. two great tears
sp.ashed down on the neat rows of fig
rres. and he dashed his hand across his
cyes. and bit his lip in vexation at this
little weakness.
Hard luck!" he muttered. as he went
home to supper: and it was very
save Ned Steele that entered the lit
lie house that evening.
When little Nan had been put to bed.
Nd told his mother the bad news, and
received the comfort that kind. Chris
tan mother always has for her boy.
keep up your courage, my son" she
said. as Ned kissed her good night.
.slaybe good will come out of your
sl.ssrd luck +"
Il wish could think SO" replied Ned.
True to promise, Mr.. Bowes intro
Cnce5 Charlie Page into the office the
following Monday morning, and it was
ueu he did, for Milton did not N axe
lis appearance all Cay. and even
s.rreen hand" was scme help.
Mr.. Bowes went about with face
like a thunder-cloud. and it was none
the less dark when Milton came in the
next day, as cool and p.acid as ever. Mr..
lsowes' sharpest reprimand never ruf-
fled the serenity of his head clerk.
Charlie Page and Ned had been schoo!
friends before Ncd's father died; bus
Charlie's warmth of friendship was
considerably chilled by his old schooi-
mates very apparent coldness.
81 wonder what it can be that's
changed Ned So" unused Charlie. en-
1irely innocent Of any such thought -
disp,acing his former school-chum.
But as Ned's stiffness rather in
creased than diminished, Charlie gave
him up entirely. determined that he
would show Ned Steele that his friend
sh;p couldn't be refused twice.
So. under the existing circumstances,
they had anything but q jolly time OF IT
in Bowes e Co.'S Office, with Ned grow
ing more stiff and solemn every day.
Milt's absence becoming more and more
frequent, and the proprietor's face like
81 storm-cloud from one weeks end to
another.
Giving up Ned in disgust. Charlie
turned his attention to Milton Hartley,