Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-09

selected bill from his slender store.
'win So be enough?"
"Oh yes. but it wouldn't be right for
me to-
But by this time Duncan was press
ing the bill into his hand. 'Nousense!"
he insisted How can we build up
trade without sirup?"
'But-but'-
And how can / learn the business
without trade?" He closed Graham's
unwilling fingers over the money and
skipped away.
Signing Graham gave over the IN
equal argument. well. if you're sat
isfed. my boy. But I'll have to write
to Elmiry for it"
Telegraph"
Telegraph" Graham laughed. THAT
would Kill Lew Parker. guess"
who's he?"
telegraph operator and ticket
agent
We'll, he won't be missed much. Tel
egraph aud tell EN- to send the goods
G. o. D. Please, Mr.. Graham. We
. want to get things moving here. you
know. We've got TO build up The bust
ness. Wen put out some signs and
and. well. we'll get the people in the
habit of coming here somehow. You IL
see"
He raked the poverty stricken shelves
with calculating eye. all his energy
fired by enthusiasm ut the prospect Of
doing something. Graham watched
him with kindling liking and admira-
ton. His old lips Quivered little be-
fore he voiced his thought.
''You-you know. my boy. you've got
/ splendid business ability" he asserted.
with whole souled conviction.
Duncan almost reeled. What he
cried.
Il was just saying you have wonder
full business ability"
You're the first man that ever said
that. wonder if it's So"
I'm sure of it"
Well" said Nat. chuc&!ing, I'm
write that to my chum He'll
oh. can tell" Graham interrupted.
Now. / Well. you see I've been a
failure in business. So far as that
/ goes. I've been Il failure in everything
all my life"
Duncan stared for 4 moment then
offered his hand For luck" he eX-
, planned. meeting Graham's puzzled
/ gaze as his hand was taken.
Wondering Graham shock his head.
! and gratitude made his old voice from
! ulOus He put a hand over Duncan's.
/ patting it gently.
Il want you to know. my boy. that |
! appreciated" His voice broke. It's
/ mighty kind of you to buy the sirup-
very kind
Nothing of the sort. It's just be-
cause I've cot great business ability"
/ Duncan laughed quietly and moved
away. We'll want to clean up bit,
said he Got II broom? III raise the
dust bit while you're out sending
! that wire"
You'll find one in the cellar, l guess.
but-your clothes
oh. that's all right. Where's the
/ cellar?"
} Underneath" Graham told him SIM
ply. taking down a battered hGt from
a hook behind the counter
Il know But how do | get thereT'
by the steps. You go through that
door there into the hall. The steps are
under the stairs TO our rooms. l live
above the store. you see
Yes. Goodby. Mr.. Graham"
"Goodby, my boy"
Duncan watched the old man move
slowly out of sight. then, with groan,
sat down on the counter to think it
over. ''It wouldn't be me If l didn't
make a mess of things somehow" he
told himself bitterly. Now you have
gone and went and done it, Mr.. For
| tune Hunter You stand swell
chance Of getting away with the goods
when you take a wageless job in q
spawned country drug store with no
trade worth mentioning and nothing
to draw 1t with just because that old
DIFFERS the only human being you've
spotted in this burg.
wonder what Harry would say ii