The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-12-02


slider the worth Of money or how hard
t is to earn. My father saw to all
that He seemed not to want me to
work; not that hold that against him.
He'd an idea I'd turn out genius Of
some sort or other, believe. Well,
he failed and died all In a week,
md / found myself left with an ex-
tensive wardrobe. expensive tastes. an
impractical educaion-and not SO
much Of that that you'd notice it-and
not a cent. l was too proud to look to
my friends for help In those days-and
perhaps that was as well; ] sought
jobs on my own. Did you ever keep
books in a fish market?"
mo" Spaulding's eyes twinkled be-
hind his large. shiny glasses.
But what's the use Of my boring
your" Duncan made as II to rise, sud-
denly remembering himself.
You're not. Go on"
81 didn't mean to. Mostly. I pre-
sumo. I've been laundering round an
explanation of Kellogg's kindness to
me, In my usual Intellectual way, but
| felt an explanation was due you. as
the latest to suffer through his mis-
placed interest in me-"
Perhaps" said Spaulding. IL am be-
| ginning to understand. Go on, I'm
interested. About the fish market?
"Oh. just happened to think Of 1t as
sample experience, and the last Of
that particular brand. got 50 week
and earned every cent Of 1t inhaling
the atmosphere. My board cost me
Sc and the other SO afforded me a
chance to demonstrate myself cap
tain of finance. paying laundry bills
and clothing myself, besides buying
lunches and such like small matters.
did the whole thing. you know. one
schooner of beer day and made my
own cigarettes Never could make up
hours were easy. too: didn't have to
get to work until in the morning.
| lasted FIVE weeks at that job before
I was taken sick. Shows what great
constitution I've got"
And them
then l fell in with Kellogg again; he
found me trying the open air cure on
a bench in Washington square. Since
then he's been finding me one berth
after another. He's a sure enough OPP
timist."
Spaulding shifted uneasily in his
chair, stirred by an impulse whose
unwisdom be could not doubt. Dun
can had assuredly done his case no
good by painting his shortcomings in
colors so vivid; yet somehow, strange
~, Spaulding liked him the better for
his open hearted confession.
"Wen"- Spaulding stumbled awk-
wardly.
Eyes; of course" said Duncan
promptly. rising. SORRY if I tired
you"
"what do you mean by Yes. Of
courseY"
"That you called me in to fire me
and so that's over with. Only I'd be
sorry to have you sore on Kellogg for
saddling me on you. You see, he be-
lieved I'd make good. and so l did
in a way; at least hoped to-"
"Oh. that's all right" said Spaulding
uncomfortably. The trouble Is, you
see. we've nothing else open just now.
but If you'd really like another chance
on the road I'LL be glad to speak
to Mr. Atwater about it."
Don't you do it," Duncan counsel
ed him sharply. aghast. HE might
say yes. And l simply couldn't ac-
cept; 1t wouldn't be fair to you, Kel-
logg or myself. It'd be charity. for
I've proved can't earn my wages, and
haven't come to that yet. No"' he
concluded with determination and
picked up his hat.
Just a minute" Spaulding held him
with gesture. You're forgetting
something-at least | am. There's q
months pay coming to you. The cash
Ter will hand you the check as you go
out"
"A months payT Duncan said
blankly. "How's that? I've drawn up
to the end Of this week already, If
you didn't know it,
''Of course l knew 1t. But we never
let our men go without months no.
tice or its equivalent, and
mo-" Duncan interrupted firmly
mo; but thank you just the same. l
Couldn't really couldn't It's good
Of you. but Now" he broke OF
abruptly. i've left my accounts, what
there is Of them, with the bookkeep-
ing department, and the checks for
my sample trunks. There'n be few
dollars coming to me on my expense
account, and I'll send you my address
as soon as ! get one.'
But. look here Spaulding got to
his feet, frowning.
NO" reiterated Duncan positively,
there's no use. I'm grateful to you
for your federation of me and all that,
but we can't do anything better now
than call 1t all off. Goodby, Mr..
Spaulding"
Spaulding nodded, accepting defeat
with the better grace because Of an
innate conviction that 1t was just as
well after ALL And, furthermore, he
admired Duncan's stand, 40 he offered