Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-06
! Mr.. MetlluSelah
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
80. By.
RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyright, 1902, by X. Ii. Shelton

sporting page OF the morning paper
looked up at the clock and then at tn
little group perched on Il nearby tabl
and said, "Where in time is Mr.. Me
thuselah?" For the third time the wag
ging heads Of the group announces
their ignorance. 1t was twenty min
utes Of 0, and, according to all prece
dent, the paying teller was already 1
half hour late. Ed Frost slipped dow
from his perch on the table.
Don't suppose old Methuselah's get
ting dissipated, do you" he asked
with grave anxiety.
Perhaps he bought ticket to thu
ball game yesterday and hasn't recov
cred from the SHOCK" Sam Paine ven
tured.
More likely he heard joke and sal
up all night trying to figure it out,
put in George Hardy.
Maybe SICK" suggested Billy from
behind the paper.
He'd come to work in anything but
n hearse," said Paine grimly.
Billy rose from the window. "Its
ten minutes Of o." said he. "Where In
creation is Methuselah?" He folded
the paper and put it in his pocket. Go
you three to one, George. he comes In
late"
Hardy was considering this PROPOSE
ton when Mr. Greer. the cashier. came
in.
CLARK" he said briskly. you'll have
to take the paying tellcr'S window for
couple Of weeks or So Mr-Cr-Mr.
-er-Methuselah"- word came
grudgingly-"is to be away for
awhile" He went into the back 70 IN,
and the group about the table looked
at one another in amaZement.
"Must be SICK" Billy Reynolds as
serted.
"Did you hear the old man, tn oughY'
said Frost. Called him Mr.. Methuse
lah, by George~
Don't believe he remembers his
NAME" said Paine. "Gcnerally gets
over it with Il 'Mr.-er-cr' something
like that"
"What is his real name anyway"
said Hardy.
"Jones isn't it?' said Billy Reynolds
doubtfully.
Zones or something similar" Hardy
prompted.
81 guess Methuselah's surer one"
said Frost.
All that morning through the routine
work Of the Twentieth National, there
was a feeling, shared alike by every
man in the bank, that something was
lacking. 1t must be admitted that the
paying teller was not a popular man.
He never went to the ball games; he
never joked; he never bought chances
in the raffles. Yet, for all that, he was
considered fixture at the Twentieth
National, as much Of fixture as the
arithmometers or the brass screens.
One would have as soon expected the
vaults to take vacation as Mr.. Me-
thuselah. AS to where that name orig
mated ii would be difficult to deter
Of a fit, for the paying teller was little
and stOOp shouldered and baldheaded.
His face was wizened and wrinkled,
and, although it is probable he was not
far beyond forty, his beard was very
gray.
At closing time that afternoon Paine
went over to Frost's desk "GOing to
the game" said he.
"Wait q minute or two, will your
Frost answered. "Seef can find this
shortage. Somehow I'm ratified with
out old Methuselah around"
what do you suppose has got into
the old codger?" Frost asked as they
boarded a car half hour later. when
he begins to take a vacation. feel all
broken up myself"
Paine laughed Say" said he. 'im-
agine old Methuselah trying to enjoy
himself. 1t would take about three fu-
nerals day to keep him in his normal
condition"
well probe him when he gets back"
said Frost. 'Tf he tells us anything.
It'll be the truth"
eyes, If he tells us anything" Paine
assented.
The wonder occasioned by Mr.. Me-
thuselah's departure had not subsidized
when at the expiration Of the two
weeks he returned. the same stoop
baldheaded Methuselah,
yet with an air of sprightliness and de-
cision about him which was at once
new and perplexing AS Ed Frost put
1t, 'T'm hanged If | know what it Is.
but something has happened"
Several days went past, and other
changes were noted in the paying tell
er. His reserve had disappeared. Once
even he essayed a ponderous witticism.
Then came the most startling develop
ment Of all.
The boys were washing up one after
noon when they heard an apologize
cough behind them and. turning, saw
Mr.. Methuselah twirling his hat and
looking decidedly i'll at ease. 1t took
several moments Of preliminary hem
ming and having before he found the
courage to address them.
"Boys, II want to make bargain
with you" he began nervously. Il
hope it won't appear foolish. you know,
but | want to ask you to drop that
Methuselah. Never minded it before,
you know, but now somehow | do. II
it's all the same to you. wish you'd
call me Mr.. James instead" He paus- !
ed and brushed imaginary specks from
the hat IF you will, well all 30 to