Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-03

1 want the men that run the bank"
'Humph,' grunted the president, smil-
frown at the teller who had suddenly
ducked out Of sight behind the counter
'rHumph. Well, you shall have them,
young lady. Well see what all this Is
meeting today. Come with me- And he
led the way into a small room where were
several men seated about a long table.
Now, what can we do for your" he fin
ished, with his most business-like air.
For a moment Marjories courage failed
her. Turn where she would, she saw moth
ing but amazed. questioning eyes. She
choked, and tried to swallow the lump in
her throat Then two pictures flashed into
her mind-one of Tom Donovan, happy and
whistiing; the other of her grandfather,
silently watching 4ie bare tree brancn.
She cutched the paper in her hand and
forced her feet to advance to the table.
Il have come to application for job,
she painted, and spread the crumpled sheet
before the man at the end.
you have-what?" he demanded; then
his eyes fell on the paper and he read this
Il ann writing this application for my
grandfather. 1t is him that wants the job
MARJORIE MATHEW.
at am a piece of dead wood that has
laid in one place fifty years. 1 have a
good common school education, and am
not afraid to work. I have no bad habits
except that / do not do only my own bust
ness. 1 can put money into other peoples
pockets and l am a good machine until
get rusty then 1 can be easily removed.
I would like very much to have the job.
Very respectfully yours,
JOHN GREGORY.
Signed by me, Marjorie Haehew.
well, by Jove!" said the man. weakly,
and passed the paper to the president
Great Scott!'' muttered the president
minute later, and handed it to the man on
his right.
From him, accompanied ever by those
crisp calculations, the paper passed down
~ hoo 70 ha al
Marjorie, her heart beating almost to suf-
location, stood silently by and watched.
AS the last reader laid the paper down,
there came an embarrassed pause.
"Can he-may l. began Marjorie.
"Ahem!' interrupted the president. In
some confusion. You are Marjorie /
take it,
Yes. SIR
Hmm: did your NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
that you wrote this?'
ooh. no, sir"
There was stir and an audible sigh of
relief around the table.
We'll, but" resumed the president,
there are some things in here that-that
he might-well, that sound as though he
might have said them" The president was
plainly embarrassed.
Yes. sir, he did say them, nodded Mar
jorie.
"wha-atr'
We'll you see, sir, II asked him one
day what he would say II he was going to
application for job, and he told me: SO
I put 'em in as we'll as l could remember.
His part was the dead WOOD, and the
machine and"
"Er-yes, yes, my dear" interrupted the
president, feverishly. we've understand;
but-how did you happen to do this your
self?'
"Oh, found Tom Donovan's application
for job. and Tom got 1.-The works In our
store, you know" explained Marjorie,
airily land so l just tried to make one for
grandfather like his. SO as he could have
a job: then he wouldn't have to sit all still
and lonesome in his room every day"
"Hm-m!' said the president, suddenly
pulling his handkerchief from his pocket
and blowing his nose.
"And may I tell grandpa that" began
Marjorie again.
Not for the world. my dear interrupt
ed the president, stuffing the handkerchief
into his pocket with unnecessary vigor.
'You see, it is customary to leave applica-
tons to be considered, my dear-to be con-
sidered,' he repeated impressively. Now
come, let me put you on your car, and
you'll soon be home. Not a word to your
grandfather. remember he finished as he
led the way from the room.
When he came back a little later his
handkerchief was out and to his forehead.
well, by George" he exclaimed, that
was a tough prOpositionr'
well, it was.' agreed two or three
votes.
''Of course, It's absurd" chimed in an
other voice.
Utterly chorused several.
Hes an old man."
about played out, too. according to my
way of thinking"
"Faithful-faithful as a dog, but-good
I.nrdr'
The president. who had spoken only once,
dropped into chair and picked up Mar
jorie's crumpled sheet OF paper
by Georgei tit took grit to face
US like that" he said, musingly.
Yes" said one of the men.
There was long pause.
I'm sorry for Gregory" began the
president again. Back seats can't be
pleasant"
There was another long pause. To each
haired, eager-faced old man. with wistful
eyes and not-to-be- mistaken appeal in
word and tone and manner.
still. he-I-we-" began the man at
the end Of the table, and stopped
Wen, of course, we-well, we don't run
this bank as philanthropy" interrupted
his left-hand neighbor, aggressively.
Why, of course not" agreed the other.
II don't see but that he'll have to make
the best OF 1t and take his medicine" de-
clared third. There's no other way"
OF course said the president. Wen
all have to take our medicine-some day"
Again there came pause-so long a pause
that the man at the end Of the table jerked
himself to his feet
Hang 1t all! What are we supposed to
do?" he snapped: We can't make Greg
Poor Gregory" murmured the presi-
dent. with faint smile.
"Humph!' jeered the other turning on
him Ike a Hash. Maybe you'll resign. Jor-
dan, and let him be PRESIDENT"
Maybe 1 will returned tho president.
quietly
Wha-a-tH' gasped half a dozen voices.
The president got to his feet and went
over to the window. After a moment he
turned and walked back to the table
Gentlemen. he began slowly II saw
Dr. Kelsey last night. He told me tina,
John Gregory had not six months to live
He has heart trouble-a bad case"
We'll, by Jove!' muttered the man at
the end of the table. and dropped Imply
into his chair.
Yes" Mrs. Mathew was saying to a
friend week later. Father has accepted
the presidency of the Consolidated Mr..
Jordan. the former president resigned last
week. We tried to make father think he
had done business enough, and that It was
time he dropped out of the running But
these old warhorses of business-theres no
stopping themi And, really, he looked SO
happy when he went into town to the bank
this morning that was rather glad after
all, that he was back in the harness"