Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-07-23

every DAY. You must excuse my say
ing so, but-er--you are getting a
little too old for us. We want yolng-I
er men,"
eyes, that is what I thought. But |
all the same, sir, I don't admit the |
justice of it. can do everything that |
a younger person can do and perhaps
do it better. AS to salary, I'm only |
getting hundred a year, and / doubt
if even man half my age would
take much less" ~
Skinner shuffled his feet impa-
tiently.
"My good fellow he said, 81
really can't waste time arguing with
you about the ethics of commercial
efficiency. I suppose / have a right
to do as I choose in my own Office.
Now be sensible and take your cruel
like man. Otherwise may change
my mind about furnishing testimon-
ials when you want them!"
Kimber realized that the hour had
struck for action. He pulled himself
together and approached his en-
ployer.
''Mr. Skinner he said, 'you are
an ambitious man. I know that you
have just been elected to a city COM
pany, and believe that you contem-
plate standing for Parliament at the
next by-election.'
Skinner stared at him as though he
believed his clerk had suddenly gone
mad.
What the mischief has all that
got to do with you and your dismis-
sal?" he asked, abruptly.
More than you think" replied
Kimber, as he fixed his eyes upon the
other man with a very acute glance,
much more. For you must remem-
ber, Mr.. Skinner, that have been in
your Office twenty years and that dur
| ing that time have kept my eyes and
ears open."
"Well?"
There was just touch of uneasi-
ness in the exclamation. Skinner
again shuffled his feets but this time
anxiety and not impatience impelled
| the mechanical action.
| "Well, an observant man can learn
many things in twenty years. He
can learn other things besides mat.
tiers which concern the Office. You
understand?
| "What do you mean?"
SINNERS hands were now engaged
with his watch chain. He was twirl
ing it nervously. A shade of pallo1
| ;,1 7, 80 70
''I think said the other man
coolly, "you can guess what I mean
I don't want to hurt your feelings
and to go into needless details. Bu
I daresay you will call to mind tha
there is a certain circumstance which
you would not like to be brought tt
light, either now or in the future
This is very censorious country, Mr.
Skinner, and people insist on thei
Parliamentary representatives havin!
unspotted records, or, at least. rec
ords where the spots are decentl.
covered up. Need I say more?''
Skinner did not reply for a mo
ment. Then, with a sudden anger
he burst out:
$50 you're going in for blackmai]
are you?'
pardon me, but I'm doing nothin
of the sort. I'm not asking TO
money. I'm asking for mere justice
All these years I've kept silent. whe
it / had liked, I could easily hav
wrung money from you by limiting t
you of the exposure which fe1
words of mine would bring about"
"And had you done SO shoul
have sent for policeman" muttere
Skinner. ~ ':'-~:,,~s~, ..-.---e~
Hardly, for if so why don't yo
ring that bell now and call in cor
J stable?" observed Kimber, triun
} phantly. '.I can promise you that
i shan't try to escape. But, really, M
Skinner, I doubt if you would hav
| been foolish enough to ask for polio
l assistance. There are cases whe1
: compromise is the best plan and th
: safest. This case is one of Them
The two men eyed each other, {
> though they were measuring the
S relative strengths. Kimber stood tt
e gaze of his employer unfinchingl
e Until that hour he had never dreame
that he possessed so much courag
;, The hour had called it forth, and |
d it had come.
t s'Now, look here" said Skinner, a
ter a pause. "All this may be me-
h bluff. Where are your proofs of yol
absurd statements?"
t. 1.-THE proofs" replied Kimbe
calmly, t'lie in the mouth of the pc
- son who confided to me the story
n Skinner swayed back, a slight foa
k on his lips.
e "Great heavens!" he gasped, 4th'
She