The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-01-06

Graham dropped his tools with a
clatter aud faced round. For a mo-
ment his eyes twinkled and a wintry
smile lightened his fine old features.
"Well. ! declare!' he said. rising.
You must he the stranger the whole
towns been talking about"
IF at any time" Duncan pursued
hastily. you should have an opening
here that you can offer me | shall en-
'leavor to give satisfaction. Good day.
ir." And he made for the door.
Eth. just minute" said Graham
Are you in a hurry?''
Duncan paused. smiling nervously
''Oh. nO-Only mustn't press II. you
know-just say 1t and get right
mean don't want TO take up your
valuable time. sir
Graham chucklod. Guess the folks
haven't been talking much to you
about me-" he suggested. You seem
to have Il higher opinion Of the value
Of my time than anybody else in Rad
Vile"
Yes. but-that is to say
But If you're really looking for
job I'd like to give you one first rate"
Duncan started toward him in
breathless haste. "You-you'd like to!
You don't mean it,
YES" Graham nodded. smiling with
enjoyment of his little joke. 1t was
harmless. He didn't for moment be-
lieve that Duncan really needed en-
ployment. and. on the other hand. 1t
tickled him immensely to think that
any one should apply to him for work.
"Well" said Duncan. staring. you
are the first man l ever met that felt
that way about It,"
Sans amusement dwindled. The
trouble is" he confessed-"the trouble
is. my boy. my business is so small
don't need any help. There isn't
much Of anything to do here"
THAT'S Just the sort of place I'd
like said Duncan impulsively. Then
he laughed little uneasily. 81 mean
I'm willing to take any position. no
matter how insignificant. / mean 1t,
honestly"
"Ths might suit you. then
81 wish you'd let me try It, sir"
But you don't understand" Ora
ham was serious enough now. There
wasn't any Joke in what he had to say.
ITO tell you the truth. l can't afford
1t. When your pay was due I'm afraid
shouldn't have any money to give
you
Duncan dismissed this paltry con-
sidaration with princely gesture. 81
don't mind that part" he insisted.
MI. Graham. if you'll teach me the
drug business I'll work for you for
nothing"
He said 1t earnestly, for he meant it
just Il bit more seriously than he him.
self realized ut the moment. and I'm
glad to think it was because Sans
serene and gentle, guileless nature had
appealed TO the young man.
Between YOU and zee" he hurried
on. Its this way-Ive been here for
two weeks with nothing to do but look
at book, anf it's got me crazy enough
to want to work"
As for sam. as soon as he recovered
he shook his head in thoughtful dep
recation. well. | swami" he said. II
guess you must find it pretty slow
down here. But" Frightening. "if you
feel that way about it Id better take
you over to Sothern e Lees. They'd
be glad to get you at the price"
And in Il week they'd think they
were overlapping me-" Duncan argued.
"No; I've been there. Why not try me
on hereT
well, I'm just little bit afraid you
wouldn't learn much. my boy. l don't
do business enough to give you good
idea of it,
Duncan brushed this impatiently
aside. How much business are you
doing here now"
"Some days''-Graham reckoned Il
on his fingers-"I take In q dollar or
two and some days nothing. There's
my sody fountain" he said, with n
jerk of thumb toward it-"got that
fixed up little while ago, and it's
bringing in a little-not much. You
see. need more sirups. I've only got
vanilly now"
Soda water" Duncan jumped at
the idea. Hold on! All the girls
round here drink soda, don't they?"
"Oh. yes" said Graham abstractedly |