The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-10-17

windows, with wooden shutters that
were put up every night were taken
away, ana i'm their place was a fine
show. window where John could make
AN attractive display Of new goods.
IL never see anythin like IT," said
Uncle Josiah in great establishment.
'The women just nOcked into the store
after the fine things that John fixed
up so scrsanptlOus in the new winder.
And what do you spOsc he did when
he was like TO run out Of the goods
Just rushed up to the depot and ordered
n hull carload by telegraph. Yes, sir,
! he did / dunno what he viii do next"
But the noticeable thing that John
did next was not In connection with
the store. 1t was nearly year later,
when the Judge Oakburn place was
offered for sale
The house stood back some distance
from the village street In a little grove
Of naples, and there were several acres
Of land connected with il. 1t was one
OF the oldest houses in town but II was
"A large house, solldly built, and II had
a long portlco In front, with tall pillars
TO support it.
"Mr Rice" said John. "the Oakburn
place Is offered for sale at what call
a very low figure, and should like
TO buy it. / have saved some money
from my salary. Would you be willing
to lend me $500 and take n mortgage
on the place"
Certainly, John" said Mr.. Rice.
THAT will be good investment for
you. | have no doubt In few years
you can sell IL to one Of the summer
people al big advance"
John did not look as If that were
what he had In view but he said earn.
cstly, "Thank you very much, Mr.. Rlcc!.
But ! fear that you will not get very
rich out of the interest that ! shall pay
you, for ! mean to make a payment
on the mortgage every month"
That's right. John, stick to it and
I'll be satisfied"
Meanwhile. Mr. Oliver Rush and
John had become good friends, and
John had given him increasingly large
ofucfs Tor goods.
One afternoon the salesman came
into the store and asked for "A private
! interview with the proprietor.
II haven't come TO sell goods today
| Mr.. Rice" he began. IL have come
to talk with you about John Arming.
ton. You know what he has done In
! this store better than | do, but have
you thought what his future Is going
TO bcf OF course he isn't going TO stay
here In Riyerdalc always He's too
smart and too ambitious for that.
i've been around this country
good deal" he continued, "and I've
| seen n good many smart young men
| and honest young men that will surely
| succeed In business, but | never saw
one that had his eyes front quite so
steadily as John Armington. No. Mr.
Rice, John has already learned about
all he can here, and he will soon strike
out for Il bigger place. | am In a 90
sition TO give him good start in the
city, with n good salary at once. be
cause | know he will more than give
satisfaction. | know that it will he
hard for you TO give him up. but he
has got these other clerks trained now
SO that they Will do first-ratc work,
and when John is at the head of trc.
mcndous business, and known all over
the country, rs he will he, you Will
be proud TO remember that you gave
him his first start here I'm Rivcrdale."
Enoch Rice did not answer nj once
when Oliver finished speaking Rice
is really getting TO be an old man."
thought Rush. 81 never noticed il be
fore"
Enoch drew his fingers along the
desk few times. and looked carefully
to see whether they gathered any dust
"Well," he sighed. IL suppose this
had 20 come some time. Have you
spoken 10 John about it,
mo. | thought | ought to speak TO
YOU first. | am going to invite him
TO come over To my room at the hotel"
II wish you would he kind enough
TO ask John TO step here to the desk
before he goes" But Enoch's heart
sank as he saw John coming brlskly
| toward him.
john he began. IL understand that
Mr.. Rush has very attractive ofrer
TO make TO you to-day. am not try
ing to forestall him or TO compete
with him. but | thought that | would
| just tell you what II was in my mind
TO do. | have been looking over the
sales and considering the territory we
have To work in. | think | am justified
in Offering you salary of $500 year
| did think of saying something to you
about partnership but somehow to-day
| feel as If was getting too old for
that. but | could make IL easy for you
10 take over the whole business I'm a
few years"
There was wistful look In the old
mans eyes as he laid his wrinklcd
hand on Johns shoulder. and mis- voice
was broken as nc continued:
You have been like an own son to
me. John. and IL is hard to think of
having you leave me. hut know there
is n grand future before you. and |
don't want 10 stand In the way OF your
highest ambitions"
mir. Rice" said John. eagerly. you
cannot realize how grateful am ia
your generous offer! I-I-there Is
something else that | want TO say ia
you. but will talk with Mr.. Rush
first
Il In about IN hour Ar pusb ond Iob,,