Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-09
How Eben Struck His Gait
By JOHN H. BATTERY.
Ia n oAcH & Luflin, Attorneys at

EDGn 1uIklu, QlQU dllOQllJ IO lQuCA either in the affairs of the office, as lawyer or as an individual. He was older than Judge Roach, simmer, slower, more silent, an old-fashioned. bachelor. As matter of fact his posi- tion in the firm was more that of chief clerk than partner. He wrote most of the letters "by hand," a small, beau- fifu1, legible hand, of which he was proud. Judge Roach made allow snces" for 'Eben,'' as he called him. They had been classmates at college, and the judge remembered that Lufkin had been his guide. counselor and friend at school. In business, though, things were different. aach was as eertive, confident, pusi He had up to-date methods and up-to-date clothes. Lufkin had | scholarship without any ability to get there" Roach was one of those men who would have succeeded from section hand to superintendency. He got "next" to everything. After ten years of profit able law practice he began to regard Eben more as one of the office fixtures than as friend and equal.
 Being wealthy by inheritance, the division of profits with Lufkin didn't matter to Judge Roach, but his part ner's cautious, hesitating, methodical ways began to seem irksome Lufkin imagined that he was the safety" of, the partnershiIs Roach began to think he was hindrance, a dead weight. He no longer felt the need of an adviser, and he resented criticism. Eben sell 7om ventured to interfere with affairs, but Roach felt that his acts were es- ti1nated, his words weighed his man ners considered, his behavior criticised by the silent. watchfuI, gentle old fel- low behind the desk. Even Lufkin's rusty black alpaca coat looked like tacit remonstrance against Roach's smart blue serge military"
 sRe's too slow" thought the judge.
 ssHe's boy yet" said Luflsin to him. self.
 'sWonder if Eben1l stand it, ; thought Roach. when he made up his mind to employ young woman stenographer.
 ''A good wife would make man of him,'' unused Lufkin, who didn't know anything about the impending innova lion.
 The new stenographer was the 1aughte. of one of the firms deceased clients. She was a southern girl, with n brune, serious face, much wavy black hair wistful gray-blue eyes and a dis tant manner. MT. Lufkin looked at her as Be might have looked at strange, beas1tiful insect when his partner stam- mered an introduction, but he took the large, white hand she held out to him, and said:
 ''f'hanlS you, Miss Gfldersleeve.'
 He was always polite like that, even to clerks. servants, and beggars, and Judge Roach had an idea that it was one of the qualities that helped to keep Eben down. When Miss Gildersleeve had been duly installed in her little correr Lufkin seemed to forget her presence altogether except when he entered and left the office. Then it was Good morning, Miss Glider sleeve,' or Good evening. Miss Glider * sleeve" but no more. She had been in the office two months before he ven- tured to dictate letter. But he didn't keep it up. He seemed to prefer writ ing his own letters with pen. Judge Roach, on the contrary. never had writ ten so many letters. In fact, Eben, who naturally overheard everything, had never known that his partner belonged to 90 many clubs, went to so many places, knew so many fashionable la dies. was in correspondence with so many prominent men.
 Btu when the judge bought brand new oak, drop-top typewriting desk for Miss Gildersleeve, and had it placed in his own private office, where neither the prying clerks nor the re- ceptive Lufkin could overhear him die tating letters, old Eben got out the Iit- tie oilstone from his bottom drawer and, as he sharpened his penknife, whistled: "The Campbells Are Com ing" in weird and dreary discord A few days afterward he noticed that Judge Roach wore very brilliant rose in his buttonhole as he strode into the office in the morning. And in the even- ing, after she had gone and the old bachelor went into the private Ice to get the morning paper ou . waste basket, he saw the same Iv.se iIl a bottle of water on Miss Gildersleeve's desk.
 After that he began to notice a lot of unusual things in Judge Roach's dress and demeanor, and he whistled: ssThe Campbell's Are Coming" all the time, to all kinds of measure, and never in tune. Roach was unmistak- ably irritated when Eben suddenly re- sumed the dictation of letters. To do this It was necessary for the old fel- low either to call Miss Gildersleeve into the main office or to intrude upon the privacy of Roach's sanctum. The judge began to conceive deeprooted but unreasonable hatred for his old part ner. Lufkin's correspondence began to surpass all reason. The amiable Miss Gildersleeye was forever taking notes. But now it was Eben who monopolized her time.
 The judge tried coming down early. He arrived one morning at seven o'clock. But Lufl<in was already at work. Then he tried loitering in the evening, but Eben insisted on Hooking up"
 Af believe the old fool thinks Miss Gildersleeve has ensnared me-" re- f1ected Roach rnatViT1o his rnusfacI,e.