The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-01
The Firm Of GirdleStOne
A. CONAN DOYLE
~ BY u

''Yes, sir the senior clerk answered
meekly. He was an elderly man with
large family, and the lost ten shil-
lings would make a difference to the
Sunday dinner. There was nothing
for 1t but to bow to the inevitable,
and his little pinched face assumed
an expression of gentle resignation.
How he was to keep his ten young
subordiates in order, however, was
problem which vexed him sorely.
The Junior partner was silent, and
the remaining clerks were working
uneasily, not exactly knowing wheth-
er they might not presently be includ-
ed in the indictment. Their fears
we're terminated, however, by the
sharp sound of a table gong and the
appearance Of boy with the an
nouncement that Mr.. Girdlestone would
Hike a moments conversation with
Mr.. Ezra. The latter gave keen
glance at his subjects and with
drew into the back office, disappear
ance which was hailed by ten pens
being thrown into the air and deftly
caught again, while as many derisive
and triumphant young men mocked
at the imploring efforts of old Gilray
in the interests OF law and order.
! The sanctum of Mr.. John Girdle-
stone was approached by two doors,
one of oak with groundless panels,
and the other covered with green
baize. The room itself was small,
but lofty, and the walls were orns-
mented by numerous sections of ships
stuck upon long fat boards, very much
as the remains Of fossil fish are exhib-
tied in museums. There were also
several photographs Of the various
vessels belonging to the firm, togeth-
er with maps, charts, and lists of sail
ings innum cradle. Above the fireplace
was a large water-color painting of
the bRrque Belinda as she appeared
when on q reef to the north of Cape
Palmas An inscription beneath this
work of art announced that 1t had
been painted by the second officer and
presented by him to the head of the
firm. 1t was generally rumored that
the merchants had lost heavily over
this disaster, and there was some who
quoted 1t as an instance of Girdle-
stones habitual strength of mind that
he should decorate his wall with 30
melancholy a souvenir. This view
of the matter did not appear to COM
mand itself to a fiippant member Of
Lloyds agency, who contrived to
intimate by dexterous use OF his
left eyelid and right forefinger, that
the vessel may not have been SO
much under-insured nor the loss to
the firm SO enormous as was COM
monty reported.
John Girdelstone, as he sat at his
square Office table waiting for his
son, was undeniably a remarkable
no weak character lay beneath that
hard angular face, with the strongly
marked features and deep set eyes.
He was clean shaven, save for an iron
grey fringe of ragged whisker under
each ear, which blended with the
grizzled hair above. SO self-contained
hard set, and immutable was his ex-
preston that 1t was impossible to
read anything from 1t except stern
ness and resolution, qualities which
are as likely to be associated with
the highest natures as with the most
dangerous. 1t may have been on ae-
count OF this ambiguity of expression
that the worlds estimate of the cid
merchant was a very varying one.
He was known to be fanatic In re-
ligien, a purist In morals, and man
of the strictest commercial integrity.
Yet there were some few who locked
askance at him, and none, save one,
who could apply the word friend to
him.
He rose and stood with his back to
the fire as his son entered. He was
so tall that he lowered above the
younger man, but the latters square
and compact frame made him, apart
from the difference of age, the siren
ger man.
The young man had dropped the
air of sarcasm which he found was
most effective with the clerks, and
had resumed his natural manner
which was harsh and brusque.
Whats upH" he asked, dropping
back into a chair, and jingling thu
loose coins in his trouser pockets.
; There's news of the Black Eagle,
his father answered. "She Ia report.
ed from Madeira"
"Ahl" cried the Junior partner Gag.
erly. What luck2"
jw.6ndy1 B-tJi
"She is full. or nearly so, according
TO Captain Hamilton Miggs' report"
II wonder Miggs was able to sent
q report at ALL and wonder still
more that you should put any faith IL
IT," his son said impatienty. ''Th'
fellow is never sober"
''Miggs is a good seaman, and pop
ilar on the coast. He may indulge al
times, but we all have our failings
Here Is the list vouched for by ou
agent. Six hundred barrels OF palm
! oil"
; "oil is down today" the other In
: teTrupted.
l 'It will rise before the Black Eagle
arrives" the merchant rejoined con
| fidentally. Then he has palm NUTS
: In bulk, gum, ebony, skins, cochineal