Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-12-08

tensive wardrobe. expensive tastes. an
impractical education-and not so
much of that that you'd notice ir-and
not a cent. | was too proud to look to
my friends for help III those days-lnd
perhaps that was as well: ] sought
Jobs on my own. Did you ever keep
books in a fish niarket?"
NO" Spaulding's eyes twinkled be-
hind his large. shiny glasses.
But what's the use of my boring
you?' Duncan made MS If to rise. sud
denly remembering himself.
You're not. Go on"
II didn't mean to. Mostly. | pre-
sumo. I've been laundering round an
explanation of Kellogg's kindness to
me. in my usual Intellectual way. but
| felt an explanation was due YOU. as
the latest to suffer through his mis-
placed interest in me-
"Perhaps." said Spaulding, II am be-
ginning to understand. Go on. I'm
Interested About the fish market?"
"Oh. | just happened to think Of it as
a sample experience. and the last of
that particular brand. l got 50 q week
and earned every cent of it inhaling
the atmosphere. My board cost me
SO and the other So afforded me a
chance to demonstrate myself a cap
tain of finance. paying laundry bills
and clothing myself. besides buying
lunches and such like small matters.
/ did the whole thing. you know, one
schooner of beer a day and made my
own cigarettes, Never could make up
my mind which was the worst. The
hours were easy. too: didn't have tc
get to work until 5 in the morning.
l lasted five weeks at that job before
was taken sick. Shows what a great
constitution I've got"
"And then
"Oh"- Duncan reused. why.
then | fell in with Kellogg again; he
found me trying the open air cure on
a bench in 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 | 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
saddling he on you. You see, he be-
lieyed 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 you'd really like another chance
on the road I'm be glad to speak
to Mr.. Atwater about it."
Don't you do it," Duncan counsel
ed him sharply. aghast. HE might
say yes. And l simply couldn't ac-
cent; it wouldn't be fair to you KEEL
logg or myself. It'd be charity. for
I've proved l can't earn my wages, and
l haven't come to that yet. Nor he
concluded with determination and
picked up his hat.
"Just a minute" S%paulding held him
with a gesture. You're forgetting
something-at least l am. There's a
months pay coming to you. The cash
Ter will hand you the check as you go
out"
"A months payY" Duncan said
blankly. Flows that? I've drawn up
to the end Of this week already. If
you didn't know it."
"Of course | knew it. 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 really couldn't. It's good
of you. but Now" he broke off
abruptly, "I've left my accounts. what
there is of them. with the bookkeep-
ing department. and the checks for
my sample trunks. There'n be a few
dollars coming to me on my expense
{ account, inc I'll send you my address
as 500 as | get one"
But. look here S%paulding got to
his feet. %frowning.
No reiterated Duncan positively,
1 there's no use. I'm. grateful to you
[ for your liberation OF me and an tn@~
but we cant do anything better now
than call it all off. Goodby, Mr.
I Spaulding."
S%paulding nodded. accepting defeat
with the better grace because of an
5 innate conviction that it was just as
well after all. And. Furthermore. he
, admired Duncan's stand, so he offered
; his hand-an unusual condescension