The Press., 1902-05-08
! Mr.. MethuSelab /;
pwtyWWTVHTWTgW Observation-Disclosures
-. By. I
RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyright. 1904, by r. b. shelton

~ RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
2 Copyright, 1902. by r. b. Shelton
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There was an air Of subdued excite
ment In the Twentieth National. For
the third time Billy Reynolds, lounging
In the window as he pored over the
sporting page of the morning paper,
looked up at the clock and then at the
little group perched on a nearby table
and said, Where in time is Mr.. Me-
thuselah" For the third time the wag-
ging heads Of the group announced
their ignorance. 1t was twenty min
utes Of 8, and, according to all prece-
dent, the paying teller was already a
half hour late. Ed Frost slipped down
from his perch on the table.
"Don't suppose old Methuselah's get
ting dissipated, do your he asked,
with grave anxiety.
Perhaps he bought a ticket to the
ball game yesterday and hasn't recov-
cred from the shock" Sam Paine ven
tured.
more likely he heard joke and sat
up all night trying to figure it out"
put in George Hardy.
Maybe SICK" suggested Billy from
behind the paper.
"He'd come to work in anything but
hearse," said Paine grimly.
Billy rose from the window. "It's
ten minutes of g." said he. where in
creation is Methuselah?' He folded
the paper and put it in his pocket. '"Go
you three to one, George, he comes in
late"
Hardy was considering this PROPOSE
ton when Mr.. Greer, the cashier, came
in.
''Clark," he said briskly, "you'l1 have
to take the paying teller's window for
a couple Of weeks or so. Mr.-er-Mr.
-Methuselah"-the word came
grudgingly-"is to be away for
awhile" He went into the back room,
and the group about the table looked
at one another in amazement.
"Must be SICK" Billy Reynolds as
serted.
Ibid you hear the old man, thought"
said Frost. called him Mr.. Methuse-
| lah, by George!'
Don't believe he remembers his
name," said Paine. Generally gets
over it with 'Mr.-er-er' something
like that"
"What is his real name anyway
said Hardy.
"Jones, isn't it?' said Billy Reynolds
doubtfully.
"Jones or something similar" Hardy
prompted.
81 guess Methuselah's a surer one."
said Frost
All that morning, through the routine
work of the Twentieth National. there
was a feeling. shared alike by every
man in the bank. that something was
lacking. 1t must be admitted that the
paying teller was not popular man.
He never went to the ball games; he
never joked: he never bought chances
in the raffies. Yet, for all that. he was
considered a fixture at the Twentieth
| National, as much Of a fixture as the
arithmometers or the brass screens.
One would have as soon expected the
vaults to take vacation as Mr.. Me-
| thuselah. AS to where that name orig
mated it would be difficult to deter
mine, but the name was more or less
of fit, for the paying teller was little
and stoop shouldered and baldheaded.
His face was wizened and wrinkled,
and, although it is probable he was not
far beyond forty, his beard was very
gray. -..
| At closing time that afternoon Paine
| went over to FrOSt's desk "GOing to
the gamer said he.
| "Wait a minute or two, will your
Frost answered. "See'f can find this
shortage. Somehow I'm ratified with
out old Methuselah- around"
"What do you suppose has got into
the old codgerY' Frost asked as they
boarded car half hour later. when
he begins to take vacation. I feel all
broken up myself"
Paine laughed. "Say." said he. Sim
agine old Methuselah trying to enjoy
himself. 1t would take about three fu-
nerals day to keep him in his normal
condition"
| well probe him when he gets back"
said Frost. eff he tells us anything.
it'll be the truth"
assented.
The wonder occasioned by Mr.. Me-
thuselah's departure had not subsidized
when at the expiration of the two
weeks he returned. the same stoop
shouldered. baldheaded Methuselah,
yet with an air Of sprightliness and de-
cision about him which was at once
new and perplexing. AS Ed Frost put
| 1t, "I'm hanged If l know what it is.
but something has happened
Several days went past, and other
changes were noted in the paying tell
er. His reserve had disappeared. Once
Then came the most startling develop
ment of all.
The boys were washing up one after
noon when they heard an apologize
cough behind them and, turning, saw
Mr.. Methuselah twirling his hat and
looking decidedly i'll at ease. 1t took
several moments of preliminary hem
ming and having before he found the
courage to address them.
| Boys. IL want to make q bargain
with you" he began nervously. 81
hope it won't appear foolish. you know,
but l want to ask you to drop that
Methuselah. Never minded it before,
you know, but now somehow do. II
It's all the same to you, wish you'd
call me Mr.. James instead" He paus-
ed and brushed imaginary specks from
the hat. IF you will. Wen all go to
the ball game this afternoon on me-"
| "We'll-whatY said Sam Paine.
dropping the soap on the floor.
"All go to the ball game on me-" Mr..
Methuselah repeated.
"Say it again, will you?" said Billy
Reynolds, with his hand behind his
| ear.
"All go to the ball game on me-" Mr.
Methuselah reiterated. 81 hope it's
bargain" he added eagerly.
III, = TN.l