Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-28

"
Georges brain made five hundred
rapid revolutions in his head. Gould
this mean that Hartman had been
told of his dishonesty and would for
give him if he confessed? Probably;
and if he could have found a voice, he
would have begged for mercy.
"Ninety-nine clerks in a hundred,o
Hartman continued, "will always be
clerks. I believe that you are the
hundredth man You've been hand
ling some correspondence with orr
agents--under my direction-and you
have shown a comprehension of the
subject that has made me think we'll
of YOU"
George merely bowed. He could not
speak aloud. All his faculty of Ian
guage was occupied in interior sound
less cursing of himself for his incred-
fble folly. His intellect refused to
credit his memory; it was impossible
that he was the man who, had stolen
$25 for suit of clothes-at the cost
of his whole future
Our man Robbins, in Johnstown,"
Hartman proceeded, "has been hay-
ing trouble, as you know"
He paused, and in the inierval, the
effort of remembering who Robbins
was, cleared Georges mind. The
calmness of despair came upon him,
and he spoke with perfect freedom,
as never before in Harriman's pres
ence.
Robbins is not the man for the
place." he said HE doesn't know
what he is there for"
Hartman slapped the desk gently
with his fat right hand.
Precisely said he, "and that is
why I am going to put You in his
shoes.
The sweat started out suddenly in
the palms of Georges hands, and he
felt at the same time the sensation of
q cold grip on the back of his neck.
TO be put at the head of even the
smallest of the conpany's agencies
a post one-tenth the Importance of
that at Johnstown-was all he would
have asked of Heaven And to think
how he had lost it !! He had sud-
den vision of Williams ait work on
those accounts.
You will leave for Johnstown to-
night, said Hartman. Here is the
order superceding Robbins. You will
draw the same salary and get the same
commissions that he does. No man
gets such chance as this twice in his
lifetime. You must prove yourself
worthy, and do it in a hurry
lie leaned over the desk and looked
earnestly at George who, in that mo-
ment would have given his right. hand
to be an honest man.
II expect you to crush competition
out there" continued Hartman.
"That fellow Wellbrook, who is rum
ming an independent racket, must be
done up. I don't care how you do 1t,
or what it costs. Lay him out. We
want ALL the business wherever we
go. That is what we are on earth for"
IT don't think shall have any
trouble" replied George, speaking
like one in a dream, for he knew that
his ruin would come before he could
start upon this 4 mission. Robbins
Esays that Wellhr6ok is a prominent
imam whose father and grandfather
ssvere insthe business before hing that
he has the whole tify's confde nee, and
is so popular, that merely undersell-
ing him won't dosthe trick; but"
IF he's popular, you will have to
make him less sou said Hartman.
Every mans reputation can be- un-
dermined. If he has never done any
thing, put up a job on him. Only re-
member that if you're caught in it, you
can't look for any support from us.
We have no use for men who get
caught
81 understand that" replied George,
with shudder for his own situation.
IF you. could buy up one or two
trusted men in his employee said Har-
riman. 'you might throw him down
that way Find out whom he owes
money to, and buy up the claims; but
don't make martyr of him in the eyes
of the whole community. Fix 1t SO that
he'll seem to ruin himself. If you can.
You know what we want; now let's
see results. Here is an order on the.
cashier for a few hundred dollars. ]
suppose you'll need some clothes, and
that sort Of thing, as we'll as your trav-
cling expenses. Good luck to you.
rarely make mistake in man, and /
believe you'll have that fellow Well
brook in the poorhonse in six months
He laughed pleasantly. and George
tried to join him, but the thought of
Williams restrained his mirth. 1t was
dreadful to think that at the moment
when he was about to be trusted with
so important mission, the stigma
of dishonesty should be placed upon
him. He could fancy the look of dis
gust in Harriman's eyes when he
should learn that for once he had been
mistaken and that the man in whom
he had reposed such fattering conf
dence was in reality thief. Surely
to no such man would be confided the
weighty and confidential work at
Johnsfown; rather the prisoners
dock and the Jail for him.
''Mr. Williams wishes to see you,
sir" said Old Ben, appearing suddenly
in the middle ofSthe room.
Hartman nodded to George, who
was moving toward the door, and then
said to the messenger: All right; I'll
see him."
George was rooted to the spot. He
knew we'll enough what Williams
wanted. Fate had oFertaken him.
Williams ant arad hIIrripdly and