Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-12-31

Il should jedge It would Go right
along" sam filed vigorously.
Might / ask-are you Mr.. Graham p
Yes, sir; that's me-"
The filing continued stridently.
Tim 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. I declarer' he said rising.
You must be the stranger the whole
towns been talking about"
III at any time" Duncan pursued
hastily, you should have an opening
here that you can oner me I shall en-
deavor TO give satisfaction Good day.
sir" And be made for the door.
"Eh, just a minute" said Graham.
"Are you in hurryY
Duncan paused. smiling nervously.
''Oh. uo-only ] mustn't press "a. you
kn0w-just say &c and get right
mean / don't want 90 take up your
valuable time, sir"
Graham chuckled. Guess the folks
haven't been talking much 70 you
about me-" he suggested You seem
70 have a higher opinion Of the value
OF my time than anybody else IN Rad
VILE"
Yes, but-that is 90 say
But II you're really looking FOR
JOB I'd like 20 give you one FIRST rate
Duncan started toward him in
breathless haste. ''You-y0u'd like tot
You don't mean itr'
Yes" Graham nodded, smiling with
enjoyment OF his little Joke II was
harmless. He didn't FOR a moment be-
lieve that Duncan really needed en-
ployment. and. on the other hand IL
tickied him immensely 20 think that
any one should apply 20 him for work.
We'll" said Duncan. staring. you
are the first man I ever met that felt
that way about g."
Sans amusement dwindled. The
trouble Is" he confcSSed-"the trouble
is. my boy, my business IS so small
/ don't need any help. There isn't
much OF anything 20 do here"
That's just the sort OF place I'd
y
he laughed a little uueasily. Il mean
I'm willing 20 take any position. no
matter how insignificant mean Il.
honestly"
This might suit you. then
81 wish you'd let nae Try 60. sir"
"But YOU don't understand" Ora
ham was serious enough now. There
wasn't any joke On what he had 20 say.
Ito tell you the ,rrth. ] can't afford
g. when your pay was due I'm afraid
] shouldn't have any money 10 give
you"
Duncan dismissed this paltry CON
sideradon with a princely gesture. Il
don't mind that part" be insisted.
MIR. Graham. II youll teach me the
drug business III work for YOU for
nothing"
he said IL earnestly. for he meant II
Just a bit more seriously than he him
self realized at the moment and I'm
glad 90 think II was because Sans
serene and gentle. guileless nature had
appealed TO the young man.
Between You and me-" he hurried
on, its this way-Ive been here Tor
two weeks with nothing 10 do but look
at book, and it's got me crazy enough
10 want 20 work"
As FOR Sam. as soon as he recovered
he shook his head IN thoughtful dep
recation. wei, ! swami! he said. Il
guess you must find It pretty slow
down here. But" Frightening. "if you
feel that WY about Il I'd better take
you over to Sothern & Lees They'd
be glad 70 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 hereY'
'WelL. I'm just a little bit afraid You
wouldn't learn much. my boy. / don't
do business enough 10 give you a good
idea OF it"
Duncan brushed this impatiently
aside. How much business are YOU
doing here nowg"
Some days"-Graham reckoned Il
on his fngers-"I take in a dollar or
two anc some days nothing. There's
my sody fountain" he said. with a
Jerk OF thumb toward it-"got that
liked up a little while ago, and it's
bringing in a little-not much. You
see. l need more sirups. I've only got
vanity now"
Soda water" Duncan jumped at
the idea. Hold on All the girls
round here drink soda. don't theyy'
"Oh. yes" said Graham abstractedIy.