St. Tammany farmer., 1906-05-05
A SILK COUNTER
COMEDY
"a Department Store 4toxy)
b H. BARRETT SMITH
lAuthor of Bat O'connor's Helper. - ''The
Mercenary Artist. 1.-THE Buyers
Assistant." Ste.
:, tcopyr.ghs, lsoA By ge.aoh B. Bovlea,

was tndustriously sharpening pencil.
The Oldest clerk detested> the young
recruit" Alec had bumptious spirits,
q ready answer-and Butler wanted no
back talk"
West, who came within the year from
. distant country store, had uncon-
sciously acquired the habit of looking to
Alec for direction. To West this typical
city boy was q wonder-a talking die
tionary, directory, an inexhaustible
source Of information
Butler was putting his soap-box under
the counter. The soap-box was used for
a seat when Butler felt tired. Although
clerks were forbidden to sit during sell
ing hours, Buffers superiors pretended
not to see the soap-box. They saw only
Butler getting old and fat.
'tMr. Butler, can see you a moment?''
Butler glanced warily over his shoul-
der. His fat-incased eye almost closed
as he regarded West.
II won't keep you. just want to let
you know that the boys are getting up
collection for Desher-we're each CIV
ing dollar and we thought you might
like to join US
"Hey?"
West was struck dumb for moment,
but he remembered that he would have
made a complete failure the first day
he stood behind this counter If It had
not been for Desher: and now Desher
was in need Of cheer and help. Again
West put his audacious thought into
words,
'Tut, tut" Butler said, when was
young man got no such help. Me and
my wife saved enough to buy the house
we live in; we brought up large family,
and we never got no assistance from
anybody"
'Then you won't give anything?"
"I'm taxed SO cents month for the
Benevolent society," continued Butler,
hotly. II give it all the year round and
that's enough!" Butler lifted the
opening in the counter and passed out.
Alec, who had been watching the
scene, rushed up and asked West
eagerly:
11OW HULL
mot a red cent" said West, briefly.
Just then down the aisle came dap
per young man. He was newly attired in
q spring suit, fedora hat and low cut
shoes. He wore cravat of marvellous
hue, and his socks made Alec turn quite
green with envy.
"Alec, what would you take that fol.
low for?" asked West.
"A SPORT" cried Alec, impetuously.
"A dead game sport!"
The stranger looked around unex-
pectedly. His sharp, deep-set eyes grew
ing him. He gazed at them second,
then he smiled in friendly manner. It
was such a winning smile that both
clerks found themselves smiling back
The young man, thus encouraged,
strolled over, and said with engaging
frankness:
"Good morning" The greeting was
hardly the salutati0n Of the average
shopper.
Good morning." responded the clerks
simultaneously.
"By George! envy you two fellows
working for your living-it becomes
devilishly tiresome having nothing to
do all day but amuse oneself"
"You should go to work." said Alec,
gayly, while West WINGED in response
to kick There's the superintend-
ent's ONCE there-I see he advertised
for help this morning"
what lark" cried the young man.
''I'm almost tempted to do IT."
He felt for his card case. and instantly
a strange expression came over his face.
He rummaged hastily in all his pockets.
.How awfully awkward! Gentlemen,
have cab waiting outside and, can
didly, can't pay the cabby. wonder
IL could borrow the money from you?"
He stripped OF his glove, "I'll let you
have my ring. II one Of you fellows will
let me have Ave dollars you can keep
the ring as security and I'll come back
for 1t this afternoon"
IF only had five dollars!" lamented
Alec, with a grin. Now, II Butler was
here. There's the boy that always
has the dough-"
who's Butler?"
.'Psst!" cried Alec. in terse under
tone, Buffers millionaire!"
did yon say millionaire?"
"Don't talk SO loud" cautioned Alec.
Butler doesn't like to have it known
that he's a rich mamie works here
with us as II he hadn't a cent in the
world"
.'Where's Butler now?" interrupted
the stranger, looking about.
"out to lunch. Come round in q |
couple Of hours and we'll give you an In |
PRODUCTION" said Alec, pleasantly.
"That's awfully good of you," the
young man meditated deeply as he drew
ON his glove. Then he turned quickly
and walked away. The two clerks, in
very different states Of mind, watched |
him in fascinated silence. But they |
both gave cry of astonishment Y hen |
they saw him disappear, not through the |
street door, but by way of the superin-
tendent's Office.
Ear1y one morning, Butler, who was
always first behind the counter, had |
lust taken out his soap-box when he felt
q friendly hand on his shoulder. Butler
suffered q distinct shock. No mere
clerk ever attempted such familiarity.
He turned around violently and was
confronted with boyish, smiling face.
'Ts this Mr.. Butler?" Butler felt he
was not being addressed by q mere
clerk" SO he answered mildly:
Huh? p