The Washington times., 1909-02-18

hush OF which he seemed totally IN
aware, placidly examined the fresh
pens before him, glanced earnestly at
a blank page with several dozen kinds
Of ruling, tapped the pile of slips at
his right with a white, gentle fore
finger, and turned inquiring}y to the
somewhat elderly man at his left.
The latter was rather breathless-
AS matter Of fact, he would have
given a weeks salary TO have been
released from the task OF initiating
the too eminent Cluett Peters into the
somber mysteries of bookkeeping
Cluett might become offended at some
thing and tell his papa. and his papa
might tell Hungerford.
AS concerned the rest Of the office
force, that first day, a different frame
OF mind prevailed BY noon the force
had set Cluett down as about the most
| amusing trihe that had blown into the
! Mechanical in some years.
The dainty manner in which he poised
upon his stool and tilted his new pen
! holder, tie humble and attentive fash
| ion in which ne gave ear to old Carter
remarks and instructions, hardly har-
monized with the manner that should
have belonged to the only son Of one
OF the richest men in the country.
| The air was all put on; Cluett was
pretty little sissy-boy. who would last
about one week and then return to his
| automobiles and his country place;
| CIuett was a puerile combination OF
milk and water, with the water pre-
| dominating-an that was the end Of IL
! Or was that the end OF it? By the
time two weeks were out, Marshfeld,
! the cashier, had conceived a vague sus-
picion. which he communicated quietly
/ TO Blair, the paying teller. They, too.
1 and few more, knew very. very pri-
vately that the Mechanical wasn't in
| quite the financial shape that people
fancied. Of course, II would pun out all
| right in a matter Of days. or possibly
week or two; but just at this secretly
| critical juncture it did seem a trifie pc
clliar that Cluett, the son OF man
deeply interested in the bank. the youth
who need never work II he lived thou
sand lives In succession, should be
uerched upon stool devouring banking
details.
Marshheld thought It over for another
two weeks, and he was almost on the
point Of quizzing Carter. he compro-
missed with careless:
"How's the millionaire KID getting on,
Carter?'
The ancient bookkeeper showed back
his shade and beamed.
Getting on, Mr.. Marshfleld! That
boys made more progress in month
than any other youngster here's done in
six Hes got half the business at his
finger tips already. Give him year,
J and he'll know every last detail, from
! j -, rTr.as
| the board Of directorsr'
Make many mistakes?" Marshfield
| rubbed his chin.
Man dear, he doesn't know what a
} mistake isr' cried Carter. He's never
slipped up one cent since the day he
took that stool He's doing work now
: that l wouldn't trust with more than
half a dozen others in the place.
And it's the interest he takes in every
thing. too! Why, he's got books on ac-
: counting slowed away in his desk that
have given me tips by the dozen. He's
got financial reports from God only
! knows where. He's got blue prints OF
all the newest safes and locks" The
enthusiastic head shook again. you
give that kid six months. and then seer
Mast field obligingly gave him six
rnontlis-and saw, And. incidentally
. during the six months, the condition
of the Mechanical, thanks to an incon-
sideray p;rnic. had not improved
Your Bir. Peters, on the other hand
lad improved markedly ID uncsten-
tatiousIy to the unuttered displeasure
of every other youth in the place. They
ccuid 1Srudge him his wealth, they could
: sheer al his progress and know theiI
sneers unjustified; but one good Ole
human count still remained palpable-
thee was not a man in the place that
couldn't floor Cluett with a single blow
: Of the fist, and without the slightest
fear of phi Jsical retaliation.
! And then, one fine morning, Marsh
field was sick and did not appear
NfarsbfeId, BIZ the way was the onl!
man in the establishment who coul'
q drag open, single handed, the tremen
l dous, chronicaIly-out-of-or door o
: the lower vault, when the time loci
!, released Il.
There was excitement There was
request upon Kenniford. the assistan
secretary, for the combination. Kenni
ford was away at a funeral There wa
a spasm Of telephoning TO Mr.. Hunger
= ford, who was due TO arrive late tina
c morning Mr.. Hungerford cursed an
announced that he would be down, an
d one or two athletes removed coats an
prepared for labor.
At which choice moment Cluett ar
rived. Cluett thought he could get {
e Mr.. Kerniford's memorandum. TIL
temporary und!sciplined band gigglcd-
Cluett walked downstairs and tinkere
II for a little He tucked up his cuff an
: his white hHnds gripped the handle O
the door There was a soft sigh, rip
q pie CT strength welled into his arm, an
the door carle slowly openi
The offc', force Of the Mechanics
&c faded sadIy away Even contemplate
" of one good jab at Peters pretty fac
= was dangerous after that
g