Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-23

HE says you only need the right
opening
And nobody knows where that is,
except my fortunate employers. It's
the back door going out for mine every
time. oh, Harry's been a prince to
me. He's found me four or FIVE jobs
with friends of his, like yourself. But
| don't seem to last. You see, was
brought up to be ornamental and 1r-
regular rather than useful. to blow
about in motorcars and keep valet
busy sixteen hours day, and all that
sort of thing. My fathers failure
you know about that?"
Spaulding nodded. Duncan went on
gloomily, talking a great deal more
freely than he would have talked at
any other time-suffering. in fact from
that species of auto-hypnosis induced
by the sound of his own voice recount
ing his misfortunes which seems espe-
ciallv TO affect a man down on his
luck.
THAT smash came when l was I'VE
years out Of college-Fd never thought
of turning my hand to anything in all
that time I'd always had more coin
than could spend-never had to con-
slider the worth of money or how hard
it 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. 1 believe. Well,
he failed and died all in a week,
and I found myself left with an ex-
tensive wardrobe, expensive tastes. an
impractical education-and not so
much of that that you'd notice it-and
not a cent. 1 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
you?" Duncan made as if to rise sud
denly remembering himself.
You're not. Go on"
al 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
I felt an explanation was due you. as
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
q sample experience. and the last of
that particular brand. l got 50 a week
and earned every cent of it inhaling
the atmosphere. My board cost me
Sc and the other SIS afforded me
chance to demonstrate myself a cap
tain of finance. paying laundry bills
and clothing myself, besides buying
lunches and such like small matters.
I Gid the whole thing. you know. one
schooner of beer a 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.
I lasted FIVE weeks Mt that job before
I was taken sick. Shows what a great
constitution I've got"
And them
OH Duncan reused. "Why.
then fell in with Kellogg again: he
found me trying the open air cure on
a bench IL 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 he could not doubt. Dun
can had assuredly done his case no
good by painting his shortcomings in
colors so vivid; yet somehow, strange
ly, Spaulding liked him the better for
his open hearted confession.
Well Spaulding stumbled awk-
wardly.
Yes; of course" said Duncan
promptly. rising. Sorry if 1 tired
you"
What do you mean by Yes, of
coursep"
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 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%ou'd really like another chance
on the road I-Pl be glad to speak
to Mr.. Atwater about it"
Don't you do tt!'' Duncan counsel
ed him sharply, aghast. He might
say yes. And l simply couldn't &C.
cept: it wouldn't be fair to you. KEEL
logg or myself. It'd be charity. for
I've proved can't earn my wages, and
1 haven't come to that yet. Nor he
concluded with determination and
picked up his hat.
"Just minute" Spaulding held him
with a gesture. You're forgetting
something-at least l am. There's a
months pay coming to you. The cash