The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-12-01

you are not going 70 SUIT, u" haiu
I'VE will defer that subject until the
week is up she quickly replied DO you
use a card systoms
IIe smiled contemptuonsly, +,
"No be sharply replied. I'm an old
fashioned man and do business IN. the
good Old fashioned way the way my faith
az did ii. and my grandfather.
AT the same time said the ur, re-
lectiyelv. that wouldn't really argue that
the cards are not helpful. OF course your
father and grandfather knew nothing
He opcned his mouth 10 make an angry
retort-then thought better Of u and turn
ed back 10 the desk,
The girl gathered the letters and papers
in the wire basket and was soon busy
with them,
once the man looked at her. The brown
head was bent over the letters, the long
white fingers were folding and asserting,
tb, absorbed face wore a quantity serious
expression. The hard look on the face OF
the watcher softcned a little.
Presently the telephone bell rang. The
phone was IN the inner room close 10 the
partition, The girl quickly arose and an
swercd the call.
In "A moment she was back,
Robert is al the phone, SIR
The man softly growled as he arose. The
girl heard him growing IN the next room
He came back with his grim look unchang
ed.
'Was that your son, sirE'
lie stared at her 90,
what made you think it was my son!
when went 20 the phone he said' Is
hat you, father!
yes. il was my son.
rs he connected with the business"
"No. lie doesn't approve Of his old
father Hes one Of you card system KIND.
We don't agree.
That's a pity" said the girl.
He turned quickly
"Why do You say it's a Pity he snap |
ped.
he papers.
Il was brought up in the oldflshioncd
yay,' the girl replied.
The business OF the office wore along
through the morning in the usual fashion.
There was the mail. the phone and the call
rs. and an occasional inquiry from the EN-
iloyee. and two or three times the man
vas called into the little factory
And through it all this petty car was
erous unyielding and unsociable. lie
made no attempt TO be agreeable to his
ustomers. He was a business machine,
erious. neNorable, exacting.
At noon the girl arose and took her hat
Luncheon. sir" she said, and went out.
The man waited a moment or two. Then
e went over and looked at the girls work.
I was well done-there was no question
bout that She was neat and quick and
rote a fine, bold hand.
The man nodded.
Smart enough, he growled, but too
luch assurance
In half an hour the girl returned and
uietly resumed her work D
Presently she asked if he had any let
ms TO dictate
1T is only fair for you to give me
rance to show what | can do, she added
Il write my own letters he told her
his abrupt way. Then he looked
'ound. Have YOU finished there" c
"Ncs"
I'm give You notes for a letter or two"
, said. 1T will help to keep you busy.
ut you'll find I'm a very difficult man to |
ease
She brought forward pencil and pad and 4
ated herself beside his desk He gave
r the notes in a quick almost explosive {
shion and when he had finished he nod. s.
d at the girl in a queer way.
Are you sure you've got the points,
demanded. e
YES"
you didn't ask me to repeat anything n
ell, let's see what you make Of them" G
What She made of them was apparently
tisfactory. Al least, the man at the Il
SIX received them without comment n
Il was an hour later when he arose and al
me to her.
III you are to work here perhaps it
,uld be Just as well to let me know your h,
me" pl
The girl looked up.
i think it's customary" she said "Of
lrse I'm not yet familiar with your sys-
n. My name is Morris, Ellen Morris"
He hesitated a moment
And where did you gain your familiarity d.
tn business usage" %
In my fathers office. lie was an in =
i'd for several years and many details -
re placed in my hands was there 10
til 1t became necessary for me to go -
ay with him" She suddenly paused w
The, man looked at her black gown and III
Mt back to his desk.
1t $50 the girl arose and cleared her az
lie, and took her hat. pa
Good night" she said. U
he man whirled about. a.
TIL try You for week" he snapped, Ie'
I'd your pay will be $40" Ol
The girl paused on her way to the door. tri
Thank you" she said. 81 expect to ia
Ike myself worth more than that"
lie stared after her. Then he gave a low tn
wi and turned back to his work.
When he came down the next morning co
tramped into his office, he found the ch
seated at her table, her brown head pr
It over her work He was lust little lee
prised to find her there Persons he ca
aged had way of promising to come clf
k and failing to do so. He knew that PHI
was to blame for this, and he rather Pa
led in the thought But here was this Sp
'nge girl at her place and looking as ed
'he meant to stay there. She was ers
t looking girl. Her hair was tidy and
re was a bit of white about her neck spt
softened the effect of the black frock. lee
In little vase in front of her was WI
lower, red flower of some kinda ha
'er he told himself that looked strange. tol
nut of place in the dingy room. col
nd then the man suddenly stared about ito
Both the windows were open, and Ella
Y were clean, and the sunshine was
aiming in. And there was general
of freshness about the place that was
e, amazing and the odor of cleanliness
fairly pungent. mia
food morning" said the girl sweetlv. ALI
e groWled something indistinctlv and am
t to his desk His key turned in the riv
as Il he were entering prison, and the
n he opened and shut his private wo
yer the report sounded like pistol tai
5. =, tim
ny SlIl was gong altogether too far. str
u DID she, mean by taking such liher- two
lie would show her that he was not Sta