Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-20

'n' NoIlu. VI Npul st we Hli
sorts OF inquiries about them prior
to engaging their services. and it is
also needless to say that we keep q
sharp eye on them when they have
entered our employ. Nevertheless, it
is quite possible, all precautions not
withstanding, for an inscriptions
man to take advantage of us. AS n
matter Of fact, this is what has hap
pened, and what has also brought
me to you. For some conxide ra BILE
time past we have had our suspioions
that our manager at the mines has
been in league with a notorious ras-
cal in New York. In proof Of this,
i might say that our returns have
shown a decided falling Oft, while
our manager has, SO we have lately
discovered, within the past year be.
come rich enough to purchase prop
erty to a considera bic extent in the
United States. Unfortunately for us,
owing to lack OF direct evidence,
we are unable to bring his defalca-
tions home to him, though of course
we are as certain of our facts as we
can well De or anVthlnG.
II think understand" said.
"Your business with me Is to endeav-
or to induce me to go out to the
Argentine and make inquiries on
your behalf with the idea Of bring
ing this man to book. Is that not
so?"
That is my GRAND" he replied,
gravely. III you care to undertake
the task, we, on our sidc-and /
speak as the mouthpiece of the COM
pany-will be prepared to pay you
very high terms for your services; in
point OF fact, almost what you may
ask in reason. The matter, as you
may suppose, is a most serious one
for us, and every days delay is add
ing to it. May I ask what your
terms would be. and when would you
be prepared to start?"
"Your offer is most liberal one"
I said. unfortunately, however, I
fear there is considerable difficulty
in the way OF my accepting it,"
"a difficulty!" he exclaimed, rails
ing his eyebrows as II in astonish-
ment. "But surely that obstacle can
be removed. Especially for an offer
Of such magnitude as we are pre-
pared to make you"
Excuse me-" l said, somewhat
tartly, "but, however great the in
ducement may be, 7 never break faith
with my clients. The fact of the
matter is, only yesterday I prom
ised TO undertake another piece of
business which. while not being so
remuncrative. perhaps, as that you
are now putting before me, means a
very great deal to those who are, for
the time being, my employers"
Would it be impertinent on nv
part to ask at what time yesterday
afternoon you arrived at this mo-
mentous decision?"
shortly after four o'clock" an
swered, but not without a little won
derment as to his reason for putting
the question. For my own part I did
not see what it had to do with The
matter in hand.
Dear me, how very vexing, to be
ly another instance of the contrari-
ness of fate"
How SOP" | asked
because it was my intention to
have called upon you shortly after
lunch yesterday on this matter" he
answered. "Unfort unatelv | was pre-
vented at the last moment. Had
been able to get here, | might have
forestalled your more successful
client. Are you quite sure, Mr.. Fair
fax, that it is out of the question
for you to undertake what we
want?"
"lf il is necessary for me 10 20 at
once, l fear it is" ! answered. But
if il would be of any use 10 you, /
could send you a most trustwort h '
subordinate; one who would be quite
capable Of undertaking the work
and who would give you every salts
faction"
81 fear that would not be the sa me
thing" he said. MY firm have such
implicit faith in you that they would
not entertain the idea of anyone
else going. Now think, Mr.. Fairfax
for . moment. If you are prepared
to 60, I, in my turn, on behalf of my
company, am prepared 10 offer you
your expenses and a sum of $4,000
You need not be away more than
three months at longest. so that you
see our offer is at the rate Of eco
600 a year. 1t is princely remunera-
ton"
looked at him closely. 1t wa.
plain that he WAS in earnest-in
deadly earnest, so it seemed. Even
a defaultng manager would scarcely
seem to warrant so much zeal.
II am very much battered by your
offer" / said; "and believe me, /
most truly appreciate the generosity
of your company; hut, as l said be-
fore. If it is necessary for me to go
at once, that is to say, before I have
completed my present case, then
have no option but to most reluc-
family decline"
perhaps you will think il over"
he continued, land let me know, say
tomorrow?"
mo amount of thinking it over
will induce me to alter my decision"
l replied. "Iou must see for your
self that ! have no right to accept a
retainer from one party and then
throw them over in order to favor
another. That would not only be a