The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-28

Lawrence Deane WaN-
ed the letter trium-
phantly. His young.
wife. who was sitting
At the breakfast table. looked up with
quick glance.
What berth is II, Lal?' she asked.
Not the confidential clerkship TO Mr..
Carboy. IS it?'
That's just what Il is, Olive, and
his a stroke OF luck Only fancy
!wo hundred and fifty a year to start
With, and a big rise II l do well after
Ghe first year"
1T Is glorious. And now, dear, you
'an buy yourself a new bicycle. and
OTIS Of other things"
On the following Monday morning
Lawrence Deane journeyed to Fen
church street. and was ushered into old
hr. Carboy's private office.
Dear, dear, dear. You're rather late.
Mr. Deane." grumbled the old gentle
nan Didn't I say you were 70 be
lere at miner"
IL Is only one minute past, sir"
only one minute, indeed! One min
lte a day makes six per week, or three
hundred and twelve per year. Three
hundred and twelve minutes constitute
nearly NE hours and a quarter. so
that. assuming you we're a minute late
every day, you would be robbing me
of over five hours labor per Rnnurn. II
won't do. sir, 1t won't do"
Then, perceiving that the new clerks
face showed signs OF unmistakable de-
preston, he added quickly:
There, there. We mustn't be LOO
hard on you at first, and no doubt YOU
will improve"
I'm Try" answered the young man,
with a smile.
Mr.. Carboy then introduced him TO
the other clerks, and he began his new
duties with much satisfaction.
AT o'clock the employees rose 10
quit the onice, but Lawrence fingered
IN order TO make his desk tidy before
going home. Mr.. Carboy. who had en-
Tered the office unpreceived. brought
down his fat on the desk.
Come, come. this won't dor' he
snapped. Don't you know. sir. that
| expect every man to be on the wav
home by one minute past six?"
Then he added. in a milder tone:
You see, Mr.. Deane, l am a man
who tries to be strictly Just. I expect
my people to be rigidly punctual in
arriving at the office, but, to make the
balance equal, I expect them to be lust
as punctual in leaving
On the way home Lawrence smiled
more than once at the recollection of
his employers eccenricity.
Il can't help liking the old chan. a"
ne pondered. L believe he Is as de-
cent a fellow as one would find in
London. in spite of his peculiarities."
Mrs Deane met him at the door with
a look Of inquiry on her small, bird
like face
well, old boy" she exclaimed. what
luck?"
on. I fancy 1 shall do all right
when l get bit more used to the
job, he replied, as he sat down to the
tea table. old Carboy is a bit of a
corker. though"
He then related TO his wife the epi-
sodes which have been recorded pre-
viously, and the girl laughed heartily.
Eccentric people are often the kind
est, after all" she remarked. "And I
feel sure / should like him"
Toward 10 O'Clock that evening
Il tAiShuouo huiiitiioHS SOUNDED at the
door. and Mrs. Deane went pale. A
visitor at that hour was a very IN
usual occurrence, and she began to
wonder whether any terrible incident
had arisen.
Deahe raced to the door ana threw
II opea Then he stepped backwards
with low cry OF amazement. for
standing on the threshold. with a
ferce look IN his eyes. was Mr.. Car
boy.
For bne moment the clerk was too
much overwhelmed with establishment
20 utter wOid. but at length he con
tried 90 gasp out:
MIR Carboy. whatever brings you
here sIrg''
Carboy. without giving him an an
swer. 90 lkpd co0lly into the hall, and
shut the door Then, seizing his clerks
hand. ae felt the young fellows pulse
ard SMILED
Excellent admirable. he muttered.
Err ood evening""
This e. very extraordinary behavior.
sir May I ask for an explanations"
Yes chimed in Olive. who had ar
rived in the hail at that moment.
What does u mean7"
You shall both of you know some
cav. but not yet replied Mr.. Carboy.
with a slight laugh.
He must certainly be insane" rs-
marked Mrs. Dcane after the old gem
- q.