Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-02-03
When Jimsey
Plugged the Game.
BY ". F. BRYAN.



ed, when James Henry Holden got bis
job, but the proceedings were not alto
gether without excitement James
Henry entered the office with de
mand for the position offered in the
morning paper.
We've got a boy" declared Royce,
the gray haired manager. You're too
late"
IT was to ten other places before !
could get here" explained James
Henry. (Which is the kid you put on y
Royce nodded in the direction of a
small boy who was regarding his nice
" polished boots with embarrassed in
terest. James rendered hoarse thanks
for the information and slipped out.
He was back again in an hour or so to
lay package and some change on
Royce's desk.
"Them's the pencils you sent for he
announced "Where1l put my hatY'
AZ told you we had a boy" said
Royce GROSSLY.
"And had amt is" explained
eye fixed, and told him I'd take the
job, SOS he needn't worry"
For a moment Royce hesitated. 1t
was bad policy to employ a boy who
had taken another's job. but Royce
was very tired of boys who lacked
spirit, so at last he nodded his bead
in the direction of the bench where
the boys sat waiting for their turn to
be called.
mo more fighting or out you GO" he
warned, with frown, and James
grinned as he crossed over to the
bench.
In two days he was "Jimsey' to ev-
cry one in the Office with the exception
Of Benson, the senior partner. and
even Benson thought of him as Jimsey
on those infrequent occasions when he
gave the lad any thought at all. He
was alert, intelligent and always ready
to perform services not strictly in his
line.
More than once Jimsey was sent up
town to Benson's home with some
message. and in these commissions he
delighted. Usually he carried mes
sage to Mrs. Benson, and .Timsey grew
adoringly fond of the sweet faced girl
who was the brokers' second wife,
Marion Chesney had married Benson
because her parents had given her no
peace until she had consented to make
the sacrifice that should re-establish
the Chesney fortunes even at the price
of her own unhappiness, and like a
brave little woman she was trying
hard to make the best of 1t. though she
found 1T very difficult at times.
Benson had sought mistress of his
home rather than of his heart He de-
lighted in seeing his wife at the head
of his table when he gave dinners to
his business associates. Like the plate
and the wines, she did credit to his
taste.
Beyond that he gave her little
thought. He was careful to provide
flowers and candy, but merely be-
cause he felt that this was expected,
and Jimsey took far more delight in
the trip than did Benson in the send
ing or Marion in the receiving.
Once it had slipped out at home
that the head clerk had standing
order to remind his employer to send
flowers and things, and after that they
were flowers or candy to Marion
nothing more.
Jimsey's frank admiration and lively
ways meant far more to her because
his boyish alteration was sincere and
his friendliness genuine. She came to
watch for his appearance, and to jim
sey the quarter or half dollar that she
gave him meant far less than the
friendly pressure of the slim, cool fin
gers as she laid the coin in his palm.
So matters stood when Jimsey, max
ing short cut through the park on
the way to the street car line, came
face to face with Marion and man
as he turned curve in the path.
There was no mistaking the mans at
titude He was making determined
love to her, and she seemed at least
tolerant If not receptive.
For an instant Jimsey paused and
then half turned to retrace his steps
and made a detour. When he caught
better glimpse of the mans face he
sauntered forward.
he came to stop before the couple
and his hat was whisked off as he
made sweeping bow to Marion. Then
he turned to the man with a look OF
infinita diScuct