The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-15

DuN-Oul, Sir Summoned the cnleI
clerk, Il thought you held a high opin-
Ion of Miss Simpsons ability as
stenographer."
so L did-until recently"
Wh-what has happened to alter
your opinion, sir?''
''She is getting careless in her
work"
You must be mistaken, sir. Miss
! Simpson is q very careful worker"
lis she, indeed? Perhaps you con-
slider this an evidence of it," sneered
Mr.. Payne, as he produced a type
written letter which had been placed
on his desk for his signature.
This is letter making q quotation
on gray iron castings to the CoIdren-
Speyer company. What do we read +?
Gentlemen: We are pleased TO quote
you on gray-eyed castings" The
presidents ponderous Indignation
caused him TO stop.
"Gray-eyed castings!" he exploded
presently. There's a sample of the
work OF your careful worker. Why.
this letter would have made a laugh
ing-stock Of this company had it
slipped by me; and that isn't the
worst part OF it. Look at this at the
bottom: Yours affectionately.' Two
fool mistakes in one letter, both due
! to carelessness, or what is worse-in-
competence.
Il tell you, sir, I'll have no slipshod
workers around me. And might add.
Cartwright, that you'll find II to YOUR
interests to scrutiniZe more carefully
the correspondence you place on nv
desk for my signature. You should
have caught both of these errors If
you had been attending properly to
the work for which this company paws
YOU"
Perhaps If 1 should warn Miss
Simpson" ventured Cartwright, there
would be no further cause for COM
| plant"
1T would be wasted effort. This
| isn't the first offence. Her letters of
late have been full Of misspelled
words and erasions-far too many of
them. l have been long suffering in
this matter, but this letter passes the
limits OF my patience. She'll have to
co.
But, sir"
Kindly do not obtrude your opin-
ions upon me until requested, Cart
wright" broke in Mr.. Payne testify.
Efnciency is the watchword of this
plant. Miss Simpson is inefficient, and
Is therefore stumbling block in the
path OF our progress. She must be
removed. This is final"
For a moment Cartwright's gray
eyes glinted unpleasantly behind his
thlck glasses, but his resolution died
within him as the steely glance of
the president bored through him.
very we'll, SIR" he answered meek
ly, as he turned to go.
Inc foundry business was an open
| book tc Cartwright; woman was the
reverse. Like the average human be-
ing, he feared what he did not COM
prehend He was in a panic as he
raced the dreadful prospect of telling
woman that the company no longer
required her services.
And such womani Not one of the
buffy, frivolous beings who kept one
eye on the male clerks and the other
on the office clock; but a sweet. Sc
rious girl who had the interests of
the company at heart.
Rufus Cartwright liked Miss Simp-
son. Had he not been so timid where
femininity was concerned he might
have confessed to himself that liked
was far too mild a term. And now
he must discharge her. 1t was mon
strous.
Cartwright procrastinated as long
as he dared. He realized that Mr..
Payne would soon want to know if
his wishes had been carried out. Sud
denly his chin squared and he entered
the little room in which Miss Simp-
son toiled
The chief clerk was very red and
uncomfortable as Miss Simpson look
ed up from her work.
Er-Miss Simpson," he began, and
then halted.
The stenographer looked at him in
/ amazement
We'll. Mr.. Cartwright" she answer
ed gently.
Rufus swallowed hard.
viii you be my wife?" he burst
out nearly fainting at his own auda-
| city.
Miss Simpson blushed rosy red. She
smiled nevertheless.
why, Mr.. Cartwright" she ex-
| claimed after a pause IF it did not
sound so dreadfuny trite, l would saw.
| This is so sudden"
lin in earnest I love Won IS
/ gasped Cartwright.
Isn't your method of telling me- so
| somewhat unusual?"
Il don't know. This is my first ex-
perience," Cartwright managed to
| blurt out.
Mr.. Cartwright" she said gently.
Something tells me that there is a
reason behind your sudden surprising
behavior. Tell me what it is"
Cartwright was in an agony of sus-
pense. Now that he had declared his
love, he realized how greatly he want
ed this sweet, sensible woman
Please answer my question first"
lie begged.
No; you must tell me first"
Mr.. Payne ordered me to discharge
you," said Cartwright, coming to the
point with sudden resolution.