The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-27


ly. "That'll be dirty trick, Jimmy"
"How so, Fred?" Carew replied, sur
prised at his friends words. you'll
go back into your old place, Of course" 4"
mot much l won't" retored Brown,
with bitter laugh. II filled your place
all right and I'll quit the bank if
have to give it up"
I'm sorry, old man, that you feel
that way about it," said Carew, grave
ly, but you know that l went away
with the understanding that I was to
come back here"
WELL l won't argue it with you,"
said Brown, land l won't give it up
without fight"
Carew made his way quickly to the
presidents office. What official did not
appear to recognize him, so Carew in
troduced himself.
"Carew? Um-ah, yes, let me see
what did you do?" he asked, lingering
his watch chain.
II was bookkeeper, sir" answered
Carew, shortly.
Yes. yes. to be sure. Stupid of me
to forget That was some time ago,
believe"
"A year and a half ago."
"Yes, yes; and why did you leave?"
Carew's pale face flushed crimson.
II enlisted for the war;" he answered
brusquely.
80 you did so you did," said the
president, serenely. Il remember. HIM
very creditable-very.
II would like to resume my duties
in the bank" said Carew, coming to
! III f,,r
The president leaned back in his
chair and studied his russet shoes as
If they were financial charts. He
rubbed the palms of his hands together
softly.
"Ah, yes: quite natural, quite nat
ural," he said, blandly.
Carew waited in silence.
Let me see," murmured the presi-
dent, "who is filling your old place."
"Mr. Brown"
''Brown, yes, so he is believe that
he fills 1t acceptably, very acceptably.
He does alone what it used to take two
men to accomplish
81 can do the work alone."'
mo doubt, no doubt; but l do not
think it would be just fair to Brown
to remove him. He has done his work
faithfully, and"
Under the circumstances l can see
no unfairness In it," Carew interrupted.
And what are the circumstances,
may | ask" The presidents express
sion implied nervous annoyance under
a thin veil of polite Indifference. -
"The promise that / should have my
old position when l came back"
hn
slightly
"Ah, indeed" he said. coldly. "And
did | promise you that"
"YOu did" Carew's face was ahame.
REALLY, ! have no recollection of any
such matter" continued the president,
with the faintcst suggestion of sneer,
and raising his eyes till they met Ca
rew's like leveled lances.
II have distinct recollection of 1t,
sir" replied carew.
The banker shrugged his shoulders.
quite likely-it would be to your in
terest to have" he said with sarcastic
emphasis.
What do you mean by that?" de-
manded Carew, clinching his hands,
and resisting a surging inclination to
strike the man before him.
You may make your own inference,
Mr. Carew," was the cool rejoinder, as
the president resumed his writing.
But l don't understand" began Ca
rev, hut the president cut him short.
There is nothing more to say on the |
subject" he said, tartly, my time Is |
valuable. Good morning"
After a month of tramping about the |
witty IL. search of work Carew came Ia |
the conclusion that he was not needed |
in the world except as they need SUI |
pers In big producton-just to till in. |
He had learned in this short time that |
the earth's big brown breast is not al |
ways kind to the children who cling to |
ii for sustenance.
1t had been a long day and a dis
agreeable one, the cold autumn rain
having fallen since daylight. He had |
spent his last money for a roll and a |
cup of coffee, early In the day, and |
now il was late in the afternoon. His
pace slackened, his shoulders began
steadily to droop, and his arms hung
listlessly beside him, and every move
ment betokened WEAKNESS great |
WEAKNESS. His clothes were wet |
through and heavy, and he was faint |
from hunger. AS he shufiled along the
slippery pavements, there was In his |