The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-06-15

Yes" said the head cierk. III looks
that way. But you don't have TO take
my word for it. You can wait till he
comes in, if you like, aud ask hin
yourself"
mo. thank YOU" said BARLEY. 81
don't want to see him. wcnt
knuckle to him that much. OF course
I've got moral and legal right tc
see him and demand an explanation
and two weeks salary besides, but
won't do it, l won't even give him a
chance to fire me formally. Ill re
sign before he gets around to it,
BARLEY wrote his letter of resigna'
| ton that morning on hotel stationery
| When he went home for luncheon he
considerably refrained from appris-
ing his wife of his conversation with
the head clerk and his subsequent
communication to the firm.
No use to worry her" he said
IN make her believe I'm simply
stretching my vacation out a few days
longer"
Mrs. Barley. upon receipt of that
cheering news, effervesced with graft
tude to the tyrannical head of the
house.
20, isn't he just too lovely!" she
said Il always knew you'd ind him
dear il you went at him the right
way.
The next day BARLEY received an
acceptance OF his resignation, to take
effect at once. and Immediately he be-
gan TO look for another position. For
week he answered advertisements
and interviewed prospective employ
ers. but as one attempt after another
proved futile. his step lost ITS wonted
elasticity and his voice its cheerful
ness of tone. Mrs Barley observed
those evidences of physical deteriora-
ton with wifely concern.
I'm afraid, Fred" she said, that
you are not enjoying your vacation as
you should Really. l think you ought
to try and brace up for my sake after
all the trouble | took to get II for
you"
After all the trouble you took?"
repeated BARLEY. "You?'
Yes. me. didn't intend to tell
you, but can't keep it any longer.
got that vacation for you. went
down and saw the manager.
"You-saw-the-manager?" Bart
ley gurgled. helplessly. "When?'
That first day you staid home and
went skating | talked to him quite
plainly. | told him you were working
yourself to death and that Il was all
his fault. He didn't act a bit mean.
] had expected to be scared half TO
death but | wasn't. He only wanted
to know II you had sent me down
there to tell him that OF course, |
told him you hadn't. I said you would
rather die a thousand times over than
ask for a vacation. Mr.. Barley /
said. is a slave to his work. When he
is absent from his desk one day you
may know that he has a mighty good
reason for staying away.
Great heavens" groaned BARLEY
What did he say?"
''He said he had often noticed that
himself o. he was just as nice as
could be all the way through. lie
promised to let you on till the 18th"
THE l5th.' BARLEY put in. Con
found that head clerk"
Eyes. Why, what's the matter?
Isn't that long enough? Also. he
agreed. out Of respect for my wishes
not TO mention M name to a living
soul in connection with the affair.
You see. you are so funny about some
things. and / thought you might not
like-so that is the reason / want you
TO quit moping. You owe II to me TO
brace up. for you cant deny that Il
was who fixed you down at the
office"
20 yes" he said Imply. you fixed
me all right IN. Y. Press.