The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-04-25
Mr.. MethuSelah
-. By.
RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyright, 1909. by r. b. Shelton

| the Ln1rQ uIne Billy ReynOlQS, l0ung1ng
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-
cling heads of the group announced
their ignorance. It 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 a 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
a hearse." said Paine grimly.
Rilly rose from the window. "It's
ten minutes of o." said he. where In
creation is MethuselahT He folded
the paper and put 1t 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'll have
to take the paying teller's window for
couple of weeks or 80. Mr.~er-Mr.
charlottesville 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-
lab, by GeorgeF'
Don't believe he remembers his
NAME" said Paine. Generally gets
over 1t with a 'Mr.-er-er' something
like that"
"What is his real name anyway
said Hardy.
Zones, isn't itr' said Billy Reynolds
doubtfully.
Zones 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
81, nlt Nv
man in the bank, that something was
lacking. 1t must be admitted that the
paying teller was not a popular man.
He never went to the ball games: he
never joked; he never bought chances
In the rallies. Yet, for all that he was
considered a fixture ut the Twentieth
National, as much Of fixture as the
arithmometers or the brass screens.
One would have as soon expected the
vaults to take a vacation as Mr.. Me
thuselah. AS to where that name orig
mated 1t 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
fur beyond forty, his beard was very
gray.
At closing time that afternoon Paine
went over to Frost's desk. Going to
the game" 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 codgerT Frost asked as they
boarded car half hour later. when
he begins to take vacation, l feel all
broken up myself"
Paine laughed. "Say." said he. "im-
agine old Methuselah trying to enjoy
himself. 1t would take about three fu
nerals day to keep him In his normal
condition"
"We'll probe him when he gets back"
said Frost. eff he tells US anything.
it'll be the truth"
Eyes, If he tells us anything" Paine
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 II l know what 1t is.
but something has happened"
Several days went past, and other
changes were noted in the paying tell
er. His reserve had disappeared. Once
even he essayed a ponderous witticism.
Then came the most startling develop
ment of all.
The boys were washing up one after
noon when they heard an apologetic
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 bargain
with you," he began nervously. ~
hope 1t won't appear foolish. you know,
but l want to ask you to drop that
Methuselah. Never minded 1t before,
you know, but now somehow l do. If
| call me Mr.. James instead" He paus-
ed and brushed imaginary specks from
the hat. eff you will. We'll all go to
the ball game this afternoon on me-"
"We'll-whatF said Sam Paine,
dropping the soap on the floor.
"AII go to the ball game on me-" Mr..
Methuselah repeated.
Say 1t again. will your" said Billy
Reynolds, with his hand behind his
ear.
"All go to the ball game on me-" Mr..
Methuselah reiterated. 81 hope it's a
bargain" he added eagerly.
"snre thing" said Ed Frost. Never
meant any offense, you know. Names
are all one to us. Quite as soon call
you Mr.. James as the other, Mr..
Meth-er-Mr. james, mean"
"Thanks," with evident relief. "And
you'll join me ut the game" Mr..
Methuselah made his exit amid a va
ricd chorus of Certainly" "Of COURSE"
"With Dleasure."