Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-06-03

ing at O." He paused, and then
smiled. ASK for Mr.. Freyne," he
added, and send in that sign az your
card"
Hugh tried to thank him. but q
chauffeur had cranked the engine and
was climbing into the car as the other
finished, and the banker turned to him
with a direction
A moment later the car had disap-
peared aud the boy stood alone on the
curb, taking the card from his breast
and whispering excitedly over to him
self the name of his new acquaint-
ance, while he folded the bristol
board carefully.
der is now" he thought, as he walked
home to the hired room. Perhaps
he'd try my scheme. too
But a surprise awaited Hugh the
next morning, when he arrived at the
bank. He was ushered into a dimly
lighted w~aiting-room, where a score OF
men and boys were waiting: n that
their errand was similar to his was
quickly evident from conversation
overheard. Somewhat taken aback,
ne still told the story OF his appoint
ment with Mr.. Freyne to the young
man who had shown him in, and Of
fered the folded cardboard as his ere
dentials. He was treasured when the
other seemed promptly to understand.
"Oh. you're the one, are you?" he
asked. Just wait a minute"
The young man disappeared through
a glass door. and Hugh's spirits rose
%joyously. He looked around at the 9TH
eTs with a natural sense of advantage
fairly won over them by his little
scheme Of the day before. He did not
know certainly that they were after
the place that would be offered to him,
but it seemed probable. They were
seeking work. He felt a little twinge
of regret at the thought hat what
was his good fortune would be their
loss. And then all at once he found
himself looking at a tall figure near
the door. a figure Of an old man with
white hair and grizzled military
goatee, who stood, hat in hand, wait
ing with the rest.
1t was his friend Of yesterday-his
old soldier, as he had thought Of him.
He had not seen Hugh, or else had
failed to recognize him. But the light
from a hall window shone in strongly
enough to bring out plainly his fine,
patient, brave old face. And Hugh
stood and stared at it with a sudden
loss of his satisfaction Of a moment
before. Was his old soldier after his
place, too?
The door at his side opened, and the
young man who had taken his odd
ard to Mr.. Freyne was reckoning him
inside. With his mind full of con-
fused speculations, he stepped into the
presence of the banker.
The nan laid down his papers as
Hugh walked toward him. Tell me
about yourself" he said, briefly, with
out Introduction.
The boy, conscious that brief re-
spouse would please HIM, did so IN a
few words. When he finished his
short narrative, the dark-eyed man
seemed satisfied.
"All right" he said. The young
mar who has sense enough to use
such an idea as you did yesterday will
use his brains wherever he is. You'll
do"
The banker paused for an instant,
and then went on:
THE only place we have open now
is an usher's job in the banking-room.
1t pay twelve dollars a week, and
will lead to better. We advertised
yesterday for a man, but I saw your
card and made up my mind you de-
served a chance. Go into the next
room and tell Mr.. Chase I've hired you
and that he may dismiss the Others"
The fine dark eyes went back to the
letters on the bankers desk. But
Hugh still could not rejoice in his for
tune. The bankers words had made
the situation clear to him, and as that
gentleman ended, the face of the grey
old man out there in the waiting-room
who was presently to be sent away
disappointed-rose before him and
blotted out other things.
The banker noted his pause and
looked up. "Well?" he said, a little
sharply. And Hugh's mind was made
up.
"Mr. Freyne," he said, quickly, you
are very kind, and 1 appreciate your
offering me this place. But I have a
friend-who needs it more than
do. It seems to be a place hat re-
quires no special training, and he can
fill it. In fact, I'm quite sure he'll be
a better man than I for it. Won't you
give 1t to him."
The banker was surprised, but his
eyes turned suddenly curious as he
looked at Hugh. Well" he said.
And then he laughed. who is your
friend? What's his name?'
The boy started to answer the first
question eagerly, but he stopped short
at the second. His name? He did not
know it, Of course. And what would
the banker think? He hesitated. And
then suddenly realizing hat he was
spelling it all by sheer stupidity, he
burst out abruptly with the uncolored
truth.
Il don't know his name,'' he said.
never saw him till yesterday. But
he needs this job" And then, his
brain firing with his feeling, he told
the story in swift words that his gen.
uine emotion made vivid, even to the
description of the old mans appear
and bearing.