The Alaska citizen., 1910-09-12
TO MY SON.

| SCribed:
 TO MY SON. | UPON THE FITTING-OUT OF NEW
 OFFICES. i With half-embarrasse smile l Bobby regarded that letter thought l fully and carried it into the luxuri- ous new office He opened it and read it. and still with that queer smile passed it over to Starlett This was old John Burnit's message: 1 l have seen a business work up to | success, and afterWard add velvet rugs and daily flowers on the desk, l but I never saw a successful busi- ness start that way,
 Bobby looked around him with a grin. There was a velvet rug on the | floor. There were no flowers upon the mahogany desk, but there was a vase to receive them. For just one mo ment he was nonplused; then he opened the door leading to the dingy apartment occupied by Messrs. John son and Applerod
 MT. Johnson" said he, will you kindly send out and get two dozen pink carnations for my room?"
 Quiet, big Jack Starlett. having 1 loaded and lit and taken the first long puff, removed his pipe from his lips.
 Bully" said he
 Mr. Johnson had no hair in the centre of his gray head, but. when he was more than usually veXed, he ran his fingers through what was left upon both sides of the center and impatiently pushed it up toward a common point. His hair was in that identical condition when, at this moment, he knocked at the door and poked in his head to announc Mir Silas Trimmer
 Trimmer" unused Bobby. "Oh. yes; he is The John Burnit Stores chief compet'tor; concern backs up against ours, fronting on Market street. Show him in, Johnson"
 Jack got up to go
 Sit down." insisted Bobby. I'm conducting this thing open and above board. You know. I think l shall like business"
 They tell me it is the greatest game out" commented Starlett, and just then MT. Trimmer entered.
 He was a little, wiry man as to legs and arms, but fearfully round as to paunch, and he had a yellow leather face and black eyes which. though gleaming like beads. seemed to have muddy cast. Bobby arose to greet him with a cOrdiality in no degree abashed by his appearance.
 And what can l do for you Mir Trimmer" he asked after the usual inanities of greeting had been ex- | changed
 Take lunch with me-" invited Mir Trimmer, endeavoring to beam. his heavy doWn-drooping gray mustache remaining immovable in front of the deeply chiseled smile that started far above the corners of his nose and curved around a display of vel low teeth. T have just learned that you have taken over the business and wish as quickly as possible to form with the son the same cordial relations which for years I enjoyed with the father"
 Bobby looked him contemplatively in the eye, but had no experience upon which to base picture of his father and MT Trimmer enjoying perpetually cordial relations with a knife down each boot leg.
 Very sorry, MT. Trimmer, but I am engaged for lunch.
 Dinner, then-at the Traders Club insisted MT Trimmer, who never for one moment had remained entirely still, either his feet or his | HstHu was HioNil6, Oi SOlIc pol lllOil of his body twitching almost inces- | sanity.
 Inwardly Bobby drowned, for, so far, he had found no points about his caller to arouse his personal en- thusiasm; and yet it suddenly occur red to him that here was doubtless business, and that it ought to have attention. His father, under similar circumstances, would find out what the man was after. He cast hes itating glance at his friend.
 Don't mind me. Bobby" said Star lett briskly. You know I shall be compelled to take dinner with the folks tonight"
 At about what time, MT. Trim mer?" Bobby asked.
 "Oh, suit yourself. Any time,' re- sponded that gentleman eagerly. Say half-past six"
 The Traders" unused Bobby. q think the governor put me up there four or five years ago" l T seconded you," the other inform