The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-10-27

that particular brand. got 50 week
and earned every cent of II inhaling
the atmosphere My board cost me
So and the other SO afforded me
chance TO demonstrate myself cap
tuin Of finance. paying laundry bills
and clothing myself. besides buying
lun, hes and such like small matters.
did the whole thing. you know. one
schUnpr of beer day and made my
own cigarettes Never could make up
NV mind which was the worst. The
hours were easy. too: didn't have to
get to work until In the morning.
| lasted ave weeks at that job before
I was taken sick Shows what great
constitution I've got"
And then
"Ob"- Duncan reused. why.
then fell in with Kellogg again: he
found me trying the open air cure on
a bench lin Washington square. Since
then he's been finding me one berth
after another He's sure enough op-
timist."
Spaulding shifted uneasily in his
chair. stirred by an impulse whose
unwisdom he could not doubt Dun
can had assuredly done his case no
good by painting his shortcomings In
colors 40 vivid: yet somehow. strange
ly. Spaulding liked him the better for
his open hearted confession.
"well"- Spauldlng stumbled awk.
wardly.
'Yes: of course" said Duncan
promptly. rising. Sorry If ! tired
you"
what do you mean by Yes. of
courseT"
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
sadding me on you. You see, he be-
lieved I'd make good. and so | did
In a way; at least I hoped to-"
"Oh. that's all right" said Spaulding
uncomfortably. THE trouble Is. you
see. we've nothing else open just now.
but II you'd really like another chance
on the road I'm be glad to speak
to Mr. AtwatPr about IT,"
Don't you do it, Duncan counsel
ed him sharply, aghast HE might
say yes. And simply couldn't ac-
cept: II 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 Mol! he
concluded with determination and
picked up his hat.
Just a minute" Spauding held him
with gesture You're forgetting
something-at least | am. There's q
months pay coming to you. The cash
ier 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. II
you didn't know It."
"Of course knew 1t. But we never
let our men go without a months no.
tice or its equivalent. and
NO" Duncan interrupted firmly
mo; but thank you just the same. |
couldn't-l really couldn't It's good
Of you. but Now" he broke of
abruptly. 1--WE left my accounts. what
there is Of them. with the bookkeep-
|
my sample trunks. There'll 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 liberation Of me and all that,
but we can't do anything better now
than call 1t all off, Goodby, Mr..
Spauldlng"
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, so he offered
his hand-an unusual condescension.
you'll make good somewhere yet"
he asserted.
''I wish | could believe It," Duncan's
grasp was firm since he felt more as
sured of some humanity latent In his
late employer. However. goodby."
"Good luck to you." rang in his ears
as the door put period to the inter
view he stopped and took up the
battered suit case and rusty overcoat
which he had left outside the junior
partners office. then went on. shaking
his head much obliged" he said
huskily to himself. but what's the
good of that There's no room any,
where for a professional failure. and
, that's what ! am-just a ne'er-do- well
] never realized what that meant
really before. and it's certainly taker
me a damn long time to find out
But | know now, all right"
1 Despondently he went down to the
| sidewalk and merged himself with the
, crowd moving with 1t, though thou
sand miles apart from 1t, and, present.!
I diverging, struck across town towart
the Worth street subway station.
"And the worst of II is he's tot
/. sharp not to find II outfit he hasn'
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