The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-12-15
Copyright 1910 BY Winehell Smith
and LOUIS Joseph Vance

Good morning" stammered Dun
can-"er-l should say afternoon"
80 you should" Sam admitted, still
fussing with his work Anything you
wantT
Duncan swallowed hard and master
ed his confusion. Would 1t be posi-.
be for me to speak to the proprietor a
momentT'
Il should jedge II would Go right
along" sam filed vigorously.
Might ask are you Mr.. GrahamT
"Yes. sir: that's me-"
The filing continued strdently.
'I-Im looking for employment"
said Duncan hastily. IF
- Employment
Graham dropped his tools with
'clatter and faced round. For a mo-
,ment his eyes twinkled and a wintry
smile lightened his fine old features.
well. decare!' he said. rising.
''You must be the stranger the whole
towns been talking about"
''If at any time," Duncan pursued
hastily, you should have an opening
here that you can offer me | shall en-
sir" And he made for the door.
'Eh. just a minute" said Graham
"Are you in hurryT
Duncan paused. smiling nervously.
"Oh. no-only | mustn't press II. you
know-just say II and get right
mean | don't want to take up your
valuable time, sir"
Graham chuckled. "Guess the folks
haven't been talking much to you
about me-" he suggested. You seem
TO have higher opinion of the value
OF my time than anybody else in Rad
Vile"
Yes. but-that Is to say
But II you're really looking for
Job I'd like to give you one first rate"
Duncan started toward him in
breathless haste. "You-you'd like tol
You don't mean it,
Yes" Graham nodded. smiling with
enjoyment of his little joke. 1t was
harmless. He didn't for a moment be-
lieve that Duncan really needed en-
ployment, and. on the other hand, 1t
tickled him immensely TO think that
any one should apply to him for work.
We'll" said Duncan. staring, you
are the first man ever met that felt
that way about IT,"
Sans amusement dwindled. THE
trouble is" he confessed-"the trouble
is. my boy. my business is so small
] don't need any help. There isn't
much OF anything to do here"
That's just the sort Of place I'd
like" said Duncan impulsively. Then
ne laughed a little uneasily. 81 mean
I'm willing to take any position. no
matter how Insignificant ! mean it.
honestly"
This might suit you, them
~ wish you'd let me try 1t. sir"
but y0u don't understand" Gra-
ham was serious enough now. There
wasn't any joke in what he had to say,
"To tell you the truth. can't afford
II. When your pay was due I'm afraid
shouldn't have any money to give
you"
Duncan dismissed this paltry con-
sideration with princely gesture. 81
don't mind that part" he insisted
"Mr. Graham. II you'll teach me the
drug business I'll work for you for
nothing"
lie said II earnestly, for he meant ii
just bit more seriously than he him
self realized at the moment, and I'm
glad to think 1t was because Sans
serene and gentle guileless nature had
appealed to the young man.
Between you and me-" he hurried
on. Its this way-I've been here for
1wo weeks with nothing to do but look
at a book, and it's got me crazy enough
TO want TO work"
AS for Sam, as Soon as he recovered
he shook his head in thoughtful dep
recation. well, swan" he said. 81
guess you must find 1t pretty slow
down here. But" Frightening, "if you
feel that way about it I'd better take
you over to Sothern & Lees. They'd
be glad to get you at the price"
"And in a week they'd think they
were overpaying me-" Duncan argued.
"No; I've been there. Why not try me
on hereT'
"Well, Pm just little bit afraid you
wouldn't learn much, my boy. don't
do business enough to give you good
idea Of It."
Duncan brushed this lmpatienty
aside How much business are you
doing here nOw"
"Some days"-Graham reckoned 1t
on his fingers-"I take In a dollar or
two and some days nothing. There's
my sody fountain" he said, with a
Jerk of thumb toward it-"got that
fixed up a little while ago and it's
bringing In a little-not much You
see, | need more sirups. I've only got
vanilly now"
SODA waterw Duncan jumped at
the idea. Hold on! All the girls
round here drink soda, don't theyT
"oh.. yes" said Graham abstractedly
ITO be continued.)