Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-29
:G. SHARPE
AND A FLAT
BY DOUGLAS z. DoTY
Copyright, 1909,
BIZ the S. S. Mcclure Company
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Copyright, 1905, &
X BIZ the S. S. Mcclure Company .
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Gregory Sharpe. president Of the
Consolidated Gas company. sat in his
private office debating letters to his
stenOgrnpller.
Outside n long line Of people waited
their turn t, pay their gas bills at a
small window in the wire partition, for
It was the first of the month.
To the young clerks. who managed
to dress right smartly on ten or twelve
dollars n week. Sharpe was a constant
source Of wonderment. Careless, not
to say unkempt at times in his attire,
from early TO late he toiled at his office,
and his employees thought what a
great pity it was that this man. who
knew so little how to enjoy life, should
be the one to possess Aladdin's lamp.
As a young chap-he was now about
thirty eight or forty-he had had his
unfortunate love affair. Then after a
few black weeks he had set his teeth
and thrown himself heart and soul in
to his business.
THAT'S all. Miss Hagen" said Sharpe
as. with hands In his trousers pocke :,
he paced the floor Of his sanctum. T. /,
sunlight streaming in through q tall
window beyond the cashier bothered
him every time he made the turn Of
his office He might have called to a
dozen fellows to pull up the shade. but
it was like the man to go and attend
to 1t himself 1t was also characteris-
tic that he should open the front door
for a slip of a woman With a big bun.
die in her arms
THANK your said a sweet, low
voice. Thank you" said pair of big
violet eyes Looking up into his face.
"Pretty little thing" was Gregorys
passing thought.
The girl readjusted the bundle and
In doing so dropped familiar green
Slip Gregory knew by heart the print
ed matter OH it. The statement was
terse, businesslike and rather grim,
Tf the nclosed bill is not paid by the
1st, we shall be obliged to cut off your
gas supply OH that date"
The girl thanked him again as he
picked it up for her. wave Of scarlet
slowly spreading over her face.
"Do they-do they-ca you get an
extension of time about paying If you
promise to pay in a weekT' she asked
nervogsly.
well" said the president, I'VE have
found that an extension Of time gen.
orally makes matters worse. Let's
see your bill. HIN. I'll see the cash.
fer about this" he muttered and strobe
off.
The girls eyes followed him. He
looked less prosperous than many OF
the we'll groomed young fellows on
high stools behind the wire netting.
Perhaps he had something to do with
the mechanical department. She was
q little surprised to note with what
alacrity the naughty looking cashier
left his place at the window and the
long line of waiting people. Gregory
seemed to do all the talking, the cash
Ter simply nodding at frequent inter-
valS
The girls heart throbbed hopefully.
She had always regarded that cashier
as q most unapproachable individual.
In a moment Gregory was back.
"You may have another fortnight In
which to meet this bill," he announced
kindly.
"Oh. thank your cried the girl JOY
fully. ut was so good Of you to take
the trouble. And the cashier-please
tell him how grateful l am for doing
rs you asked"
II WILL" said Gregory heartily. and
bis mouth twitched suspiciously as he
bowed her out the door.
"Send Fielder to me-" he said on
reaching bis room. The cashier ap'
peared on the Instant
Eyes, sir"
'Thet young lady l Just spoke 70
you about, Miss"-
"Miss Josephine Locke, SIR"
Eyes. Well, she wished me to thank
you for being so kind as to grant her
two weeks extension Of time"
Gregory shook with laughter, and
Fielder grlnned appreciatively.
Two weeks later Fielder appeared
before his chief.
about that case you interested your.
self in awhile ago. sir. Locke was the
name. Time was up yesterday, and
the bill isn't paid. I'm afraid it's the
same old story. That soft kind, with
big eyes and whining voice, are most
generally fakes"
Gregory pondered.
'T was fooled once before. Perhaps
/ am again. Oh, these women" Then
aloud: Leave the papers with me-
Fielder. I'm just curious enough to
order a special inquiry. II we've been
fooled, never again will l show any
leniency."
1t was half past before he was
ready to leave the Office. he looked
rather guiltily at Fielder plunging into