The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1902-11-07

that Mr.. Rush has a very attractive
offer to make to you to-day. l am
not trying to f~orestall him or to
compete with him. but l thought
that I would just tell you what it
was in my mind to do. I have been
looking over the sales, and consider
ing the territory we have to work in.
1 think 1 am justified in offering you
a salary of $500 a year. I did think
j of saying something to you about
partnership, but somehow to-day l
| feel as if I was getting too old for
that, but / could make it easy for
you to take over the whole business
in a few years"
There was a wistful look in the old
mans eyes as he laid his wrinkled
hand on Johns shoulder, and his
voice was broken as he continued:
"You have been like an own son
to me. John. and it is hard to think
of having you leave me, but I know
there is a grand future before you,
and I don't want to stand in the way
of your highest ambitions"
MI. IlCS. Sdl0 OOuA cdSSIlSs
you cannot realize how grateful I
ana to you for your generous offer!
I-I-there is something else I want
to say to you, but I will talk with
Mr.. Rush first"
In about an hour Mr.. Rush and
John came back from the hotel. For
once in his life Mr.. Rush looked de-
jected. but Johns face was glowing.
Rice" said Rush quickly. "this
young man is either a fool or else
he is very wise. In either case you
have my hearty congratulations. The
mail-train is due now. I'll be around
again in six weeks"
As soon as Rush had gone. John
turned to his employer and said very
earnestly:
"Mr. Rice, Lam not going to leave
you. I am going to stay here in
Riverdale. You and Mr.. Rush speak
about my ambitions. I have had
just one ambition since I'entered this
store, and hat was to become SO
successful that I could begin my
home life here in Riverdale with
comfort and respect. Now, by your
generous offer I can realize that
ambition. As soon as the Oakburn
place can be put in order, Alice and
/ intend to be married, and we shall
make u home here among the
scenes and the people that we love
so we'll"
At that moment Uncle Josiah en-
tered the store with a broad grin on
his face and a Boston paper in his
hand.
81 just happened in to Sherman's
when the noon train came in" he
said, ''and thinks I, I'll take Johns
daily to him, and I just happened to
see this piece of news that 1 guess
you're interested in"
Marked by a grimy thumb-print
John found this item:
Bradfeld, May 9th. Last night the
trustees and faculty of Bradfield Acad-
envy voted to appoint Miss Alice Ray
mond as musical director Of the semi
nary. The position carries with it a
large salary. Miss Raymond's success
as a musician and as q teacher is well
known.
John smiled as he said, .'They will
have to find a new director as soon
as Alice gets my letter."
Mr.. Rice had begun to look anx-
ious again. "Wil she-will she be
willing to give up such a chance as
that, John?"
80, Mr.. Rice, don't you understand
1t was Alice who gave me this am
bition for a happy, useful home. She
has kept my eyes fixed upon it when
I was almost discouraged. You ought
to see the plans she has made for
identifying the old Oakburn house,
and she longs to get back to the
church and take the organ again,
and she has plans, too, for doing
something for musical culture here,
and she has even gone SO far as to
pick out the place where she is going
to set the tables in them cur little
maple grove when she invites her
Sunday school class to tea. I don't
know" he continued, musingly. ST
think / will run up to the station
and send her a message. It may
save complications about that APP
pointment."
The old mans loving gaze followed
John as he sped along the street.
IF there were more young people
that had such ambitions he mused,
there wouldn't be so much said
about the decay Of country VII
lages."-Youth's Companion.