The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-03-19

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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 Mt the
little group perched on nearby table
and said, where in time IL Mr.. Me
thuselahw 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 u
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 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
n hearse." said Paine grimIy.
Billy rose from the window. Its
| ten minutes OF o." said he where In
| creation is Methuselah?' 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
tion when Mr.. Greer, the cashier, came
in.
| CLARK" he said briskiy, you'll have
TO take the paying teller's window for
d couple of weeks or so. Mr.-Ier-Mr
r-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 Amusement
Must be SICK" Billy Reynolds as
serted.
Ibid you hear the old man, thought"
said Frost Called him Mr.. Methuse-
lab. by Georgep'
Don't believe he remembers his
name," said Paine. Generally gets
over 1t with 'Mr-er-er' something
like that"
"What is his real name anyway
said Hardy.
Zones, isn't IT." said Billy Reynolds
donbtfully.
Jones or something similar" Hardy
prompted
II guess Methuselah's n surer one,
said Frost.
!, All that morning, through the routin
work of the Twentieth National, ther
was feeling, shared alike by ever,
man in the bank, that something wa
lacking. 1t must be admitted that tn
paying teller was not q popular maj
He never went to the ball games h
. never Joked; he never bought chance
, In the raffles. Yet. for all that, he wa
considered fixture at the Twentieth
National, as much Of n fixture as TIN
arithmometers or the brass screens
Ono would have as soon expected tho
vaults to take n vacation rs 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 1t is probable be 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 gamer said hc
wait q 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 a half hour later. when
he begins to take vacation, 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 bis normal
condition"
well probe him when be gets back"
said Frost. "If no tells us anything,
it'll be the truth"
eyes, II he tells us anything" Paine
assented.
The wonder oceasloned by Mr.. Me-
thuselah's departure had not subsidized
when at the expiration Of the two
weeks he returned, the same stoop
shouldered, baldheaded Nethnselnh,
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 IL / know what 1t Is.
but something has happened"
Several days went past, and other
changes were noted in the paying tell
err. 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 apologize
cough behind them and. turning, saw
Mr.. Methuselah twirling his hat and
looking decidedly Ill at ease. 1t took
several moments of preliminary hem
ming and having before he found the
courage to address them.
Boys, II want to make bargain
with you," he began nervously. ~
hope 1t won't appear foolish, you know,
but I want to ask you to drop that
Methuselah. Never minded 1t before
you know, but now somehow do. II
it's all the same to you, | wish you'd
call me Mr. James instead lie paus-
ed and brushed imaginary specks from
the hat. { you will, we'll all so to
the ball game this afternoon on me-"
"We'll-whatT' said Sam Paine,
dropping the soap on the floor.
"All go to the ball game on me- Mr.
Methuselah repeated.
Say it again, will your" said Billy
Reynolds, with his hand behind his
ear.
"All go to the ball game on me-" Mr..
Methuselah reiterated. II hope it's n
bargain" he added eagerly.
Sure thing" said Ed Frost. "Neyer
meant any offense, you know. Names
are all one to US. Quite as soon call