Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-11-29
BURTON'S SHAVE.
ny II. $. c.AswELL.


he felt taa. t. tseg args extent Ae lad
become q pa; ana afeai tana no unim-
portant portlonf "a 1856 vast financial in
stitusion commonly kn0~a as the street"
He ooked up0n tie s6treasufy, guard
ed nigat abd cay hy ne STATUE 81 WASH
ingt9n, VITA an air ID pfopmetorship, and
uptown lie l8rael II eyer all the boys il
bis block Ills pride vas not without
soundatiou, fos youngster who obtains
position ii Wai street must be well
reconulv led, and sucA situations are
more difficult % obtain tAan work in
other lines.
Jimmie ran etranas just like Fred Hem
derson, but he bad to run faster and get
back more promptly, for a delay Of ten
secouds might mean the loss 81 as many
thousands, and surely this Is enough re-
sponsibiity for l6.year-old.
II was his duty to run to the other Of.
foes with stocks and memoranda, and at
times be handled large sums in negotiable
securities.
He was a bright, self.reliant youngster,
and his quiekness and good nature not
only made lin many friends, but won him
early promotion, a. before long he was put
in charge Of the other messengers. Then
the duty fell on nm 81 escorting the junior
partner to the safety deposit vaults
Only in the largest offices DO The brok-
ers keep their stocks over night Instead,
at the close Of each alay's business all the
papers and securities are deposited 10 a
strong box and taken to the safety deposit
vaults by the cashier or some member Of
the frn, to be brought back the next
morning.
There is small danger Of robbery, Tor the
police are plentiful; but the responsible
messenger is always escorted by some one
in case OF accident, and Jimmie, who was
strapping lad for his age, went along
to "see that Mr.. Burton didn't drop
dead, as he explained it.
He and Henry Burton, son OF the Sc
NOR partner, and only recently admitted
TO the firm, were great friends. Burton
was a genial young fellow and the pos
sessor of most OF Jimmie's secrets, in
Guiding his longing for an automobile and
bis ambition to become telephone clerk
for the firm.
Burton had promised to use his infu-
ence toward the furtherance OF this latter
ambition, but the telephone clerk, who
works on the floor of the exchange and
carries the orders to the floor operator,
to counsel patience.
They were discussing the age question
as they made their way back from the
vaults Of the safety deposit company along
the narrow, crowded street.
I'm be as young looking as you to-mor-
row." Burton said, laughngly, I'm going
to have my mustache cut off in the morn
ing, and when / get down TO the office |
1AIlr "a l. Il
mic"
Huh" ietorted Jimmie, as he eyed the
Junior partners well-covered upper lip en-
viously, u only wisht' / had it. I'd get
that job at the telephone Anyhow, l
man Gorham than you do now They say
that when they see your back they can't
tell you apart. | can, though"
Gorham was Jimmes pet aversion. lie
was a questionable Spectator, who, be-
cause he handled big accounts for friends,
was made welcome at the office. Jimmie
bad never participated in this welcome
since the day Gorham had cursed him for
not getting out OF his way
Burton laughed. Il guess you won't be
bothered by Gorham much longer, jim
ME-" he said He's pretty close to the
wan, | hear, and unless he makes good
certain losses within two days he win not
be permitted to trade"
He can't get out any too quick for
me- Jimmie muttered, as he went up the
steps into the office, and then he forgot
the subject in an effort to arbitrate be-
tween two Of the messengers, who had
taken advantage of his absence to settle
a. difference in the hallway
7 But it came back to him the next morn
ing as he sat at his desk reading in the
Commercial Journal a hint that a certain
operator might be diseredited because Of
his failure to pay up his losses He threw
down the paper as the senior Burton came
in, and sprang to the gate to admit him
behind the railing.
Hasn't Mr.. Burton come in?" he de-
manded, as he cast a quick glance at lis
sons empty seat.
Jimmie shook his head
We'll, if he isn't here in ten minutes
get the cashier 10 go over to the safe
deposit vault with you. | want that c. &
X. scrip al once My boy should have
been here early. lie knew that there was
more negotiable paper in that box than
usual, and that | wanted some OF it early.
So! Here you are!" he broke off. II
want that box, and l want il right away"
Come on, Jimmie" said the younger
man, but Jimmie made no move
Come" sand the senior sharply, as he
saw that the boy made NO move Get
your hat and hurry up"
Jimmie went to the messenger call and
pulled the hook all the way over Then
he came back to the gate II amt going
with him. he said ungrammatically, but
determinedly.
What's the matter with your" demand.
ed the elder Burton impatiently. Have
you taken leave of your scnsesE"
You amt seen Mr. Harry before this
morning, have you" asked Jimmie irrele-
vanity
What difference does that make?"
Numbered the head OF the firm you get
your hat and 90 with Mr. Henry or go
homel But get out of herel"
1T makes this difference" retorted
Jimmie lefiantly MIR Henry told me
last night be was going to shave of his
mustache. Mr.. Gorham needs money and