The Democratic advocate., 1909-12-10

lie IS designer himself, and an
inventor, too, think. F."
The man nodded.
THAT s right. They spoke to
me about him. He has done some
useful things. They called him a
valuable lad. Characteristics,
please ?"
''He is rather quiet, and shy,
and has very little to say about
himself. F."
The man looked up.
Somewhat the opposite of No.
l, eh 2"
Yes.
cone thing more. Are the two
young men on good terms ~
"Oh, yes. They come here to-
gether quite often. y
THAT s a little strange, ism t
it ?"
The girl laughed.
" | fancy that No. thinks he
has no opposition worth consider.
ing and that No. 2 feels that it re-
pays him to come here, whether he
wins or loses. She merrily laugh
ed. 81 IN almost sure that No. !
thinks No. , an admirable foil for
his own mastcrful brilliancy and
perhaps No. 2 is willing to play the
role in order TO come here oftcner. :"
The man nodded.
I" But you haven told me about
this Osborn 5 family. Is he ma
tive of the town ?"
" Yes. His father was the first
foreman of the factory. After
John graduated from "a scientific
school he entered the factory and
has been climbing ever since. |
think ii must be because he works
50 hard. -
"l'm going down to the factory
dear. Perhaps I'll make the ac.
quaintancc of these interesting
young men "
Shall ! take you down dad
dy :"
"No. I'm going unaccompm-
led and unannomccd. "
Then. I'll come after You with
the electric -
Very well dear. Give me pier.
ty of time. Goodby" "
Twenty minutes later gray
haired man, plainly dressed tired
appearing man STOPPING shoulders
was ushcrcd into the anteroom Of
the office of the assistant supcrin-
trndent of the great Acme mill.
"Therc's lot Of 'cm ahead Of
you this morning - said the boy
who guarded the inner door IN
cali you when he's ready to see
you
The man nodded and took "A seat
IN a dusky corner. There were
twenty or more persons waiting.
twenty persons seemingly repre-
santing as many grades in life. and
hc newcomer found himself busy
studying them From time TO time
the inner door opened and one oi
tn" waiting group was admitted
The man might nave been there
twenty minutes when the outer
door opened and . slender young
man entered lie was barchcadrd
and carried a package al loose pa.
prrs IN his hand
As the man passed along hc chm
crd TO notice the man in the corner.
lie slackcncd his pace and came >
little nearer. And the gray haired
man looked up at him and smiled
" You are waiting to snc Mr.
Treat 20
Yes"
"lIc is busy this morning You
may have 10 wait some time Come
over here by the window. This is
an easier chair. "
The grayhaired man took the
proffered seat with word of
thanks, and the young man passed
into the inner room.
When he came back he was close.
ly studying one of the papers from
his bundle. But he looked down
as he passed the grayhaired man
and stopped. His eyes took in the
plain attire, the gray hair, the pa
tient face.
Pardon me-, he softly said,
but may ] presume that you are
looking for employment ~
The man nodded.
Yes" he answered.
" You are a stranger here 20
81 am now" the gray haired
man replied, When ! was quite
young | worked in the old factory
building. That is why hoped to
find employment here. "
The young man S face looked
grave.
"We have many applications for
work. " he said. His face tighten
ed. And you were a boy in the
old factory I'd like to hear about
those old times. We think we have
made great advances since the
Acme 5 early days. "
No doubt of that said the old
er man. I'm only afraid you
have advanced beyond me" !"
The young man moved toward
the door. Then he turned and,
coming back, bent over.
Any immediate necessities ?"