Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-14

! newcomers were IN waiting. Not Jew very
handsome compliments were thrown at him.
The promise of the Senior Partner that the
brst degree, whatever this might be, would
be conferred at the next meeting. had deep
ened the interest to positive enthusiasm
When es the founder of the order added that
the officers who had served so far were mere
y the committee, and it would be necessary
to elect new ones that evening, SO that they
could practice the work of the first degree,
half dozen members sprang to their feet.
"Rsght Worthy Senior Partner" said Bush,
grayely, for he, was one of them, 81 hope
nothing more than formal election will be
had. hive been greatly pleased with the work
of the temporary officers, and l hope they
will be continued in their several places for
one term"
This suggestion was heartily applauded. As
no constitution or bylaws had yet been adopt
ed, there was no difficulty in the way, and
Brother Bush's motion to this effect was car
ried Unanimously. The acting officers were
delighted with this vote, and the lodge was
closed with work similar to that Of the open
! ing.
The first meeting was regarded as a great
success. Bryan invited the officers to meet
the work of the first degree. which he had al
ready invented, though he had not vet written
1t out. The boys separated after they had
put their embems under their coat-collars.
OF course, the head of the professors son
was filed with the details of his great scheme,
as he walked toward home; but, as he passed
a liquor saloon on Washington street, all these
ideas were driven out of his mind, as he saw
young man in the employ of Dolmar, Long
wood q Company come out Of its parti-covered
front-door.
AT the store the young man was called
Peach Hunter, though he signed his name as
L. reach Hunter. He was a very gentleman
ly fellow, and, so far as one could see in bust
ness hours, was person of good habits. He
was not more than eighteen years old. and
he
With him, as he came out of the saloon,
were two men, dressed in fashy style, and
rather loaded with jewelry. The trio were
talking very earnestly when Bryan first saw
them, and they did not notice him. He could
not make out any of their conversation, but
both of the men used great deal of profane
language.
They, were going his way, and Bryan could
not well avoid following them. At the corner
of Roger street they entered another saloon.
Bryan stopped at the window, in which the
law permits no obstruction to the view to be
placed, until he saw Peach drink schooner
of beer" He did not wait to see any more.
Young Braslock was greatly troubled at what
he had seen. He was confident that Mr.. Long
wood was not aware of the habits of Peach
Hunter, for he had heard him say that he
would not employ man who frequented bar
rooms; Such a person was sure to associate
him in charge of the valuable goods his store
contained. But the idea of being tel-tale
was as repugnant to Bryan as it is to most
boys OF character. 1t was none of his busi-
ness, and why need he disturb himself about
the matter?
AS is the custom in most large jewelry
houses, one or more of the clerks in the
store were required to sleep there, in order
to prevent the establishment from being rob
bed at night, Mr.. Longwood was very con-
| siderate employer, and prided himself upon
looking closely after the moral standing and
social advantages of his young men,. He in
yited them all to his house at times. provided
home, and procured privileges for them in the
libraries and readingrooms.
He required that two of them should sleep
in the store every night, and this duty was
divided among the whole force employed, with
the single exception of Mr.. Brill; but there
were so many of them that the turn of each
couple came but once in fortnight A list
of the fourteen pairs, with the dates of their
service, hung in the back store.
There was sort of berth under the coun-
ter near the front door, and another near the
entrance from side street. In pairing off
the employees, one of the older clerks was
mated with one of the last comers Peach
Hunter was considered an old hand, and Bry-
an Brasock had been assigned for duty at
night with him. He had already served one
night with him.
Peach slept in the back store as was re-
uuired of the senior clerk, because that mart
was more exposed to the operations of burg
lars.
Bryan had tried to be sociable with him
but his companion went to bed as soon as the
store was closed, though it was only seven
o'clock, and would not have anything to saw
to him. On the night of the next dav ths
turn of this couple came around again.
| The more Bryan tried to satisfy himself
with Peach's conduct, the more suspicious he