The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-02

routine, he made few cautious inquiries the
manager. All the older knew Cary, and had
good word to say about him. Hoppers questions
awoke flood of old anecdotes and "reminiscences In
the midst of them the chief clerk went back to his
Office and compiled his data, making neat report to
lay before the superintendent While he worked his
mind revolved busily about the matter 1t not
what he would have selected with which to make his
effect. He would greatly have preferred something
spectacnlar-the discovery of shortage in
ones accounts, for instance.
His assurance melted somewhat he confronted the
superintendent and began to talk The discomfort he
always felt in the other mans presence chilled the
words his lips. The sensation of founderng be-
yond his depth returned. 1t the thing he had
been unprepared for. Sudden doubt gripped him and
left him weakened After all, he might have been
better off to have let the matter alone.
.eWell?"
The monosylIable fell upon him like cold STEEL and
he realized that he had paused in the carefully re-
hearsed recital that had said itself mechanically.
Panc-strcken in the face of impending crisis he
realized that it was too late draw back. Pulling
himself together with effort he proceeded with dry
lips and moist forehead:
s"He has this eight hundred to live on now and It
seems to me unnecessary for the company to keep
paying his pension of seventy-fve dollars MONTH
the figures danced grotesquey up and down the
paper before him-"until it's gone. OF course I'm
sorry for the old fellow and all that but business is
business, you know and felt it my duty to call
attention to this
A silence, heavy and fraught with meaning, en-
dured Conscious of the other mans eyes upon him,
the chief clerk raised his The superintendent
had risen, and before his Hopper covered; his
ambitious and high hopes fell from him by one,
nothing remaining but the cold, hard contempt in
the other mans eyes that shriveing him.
It was impossible that the simple little proposition
he had made could the superintendent to such
quiet fury. 1t preposterous, unwarranted The
officials sense of proportion seemed completely gone
yet he lacked the power to, put in word in his
defence; utter misery of mind held him mute.
He became conscious that the other speak
ing-had been speaking for time
However, realize my mistake Never while
you in my Office, matter in what position, pre-
sumo to interfere in affairs which nature has de-
prived you of the insight and sympathy to under
stand" His voice changed. Il am sorry for you
for your sake and that of your ultimate success
The fnality of the words rang in Hoppers A
sudden mist blinded him through which he groped for
the door. He understood from the mans manner that
the official was done with him. and his mind strove
vainly to adjust itself to the superintendent view
point Huddled against the wall outside, the neatly
figured report in his hand, he struggled for composre
In his own Office he saw through the half-opened
door, that only Sommers and the Office boy remained
the latter whstling syncopated melody he picked
at his desk in utter desolation. Minutes passed;
some one touched him the shoulder. 1t Som
mers, who spoke quietly, avoiding the others eye
he superintendent says he is able to relieve Of
the extra work now and you go back to your old
desk in the morning"
With snarl Hopper rose and faced him. This man
was superior.
81 suppose you take this oneT he sneered, finally,
his face twisted. The younger man turned away.
There was no click of typewriters to drown Hopper's
He walked unsteadily to the outer Office for his hat
and coat plying himself passionatey like i'll
used and thwarted by a perverse fate.
His wife met him at the door as he tramped up the
stairs He heard the rustic of silk as she started
toward him. and stared duly. She wearing
old gown that had been in her meager trousseaa.
Even in the sem-dusk of the hall he noticed that her
hair was fuffed becomingly about her flushed face,
bringing back a sembIance of youth.
Erred, have you got anything to tell me? I
in an old paper that he was dead"
The shining, near-sighted eyes searching his face
stabbed him like knife; he could have struck her
in the sudden fury which maddened him. Don't look
at me that way--I can't stand itr' he muttered,
through set teeth.
The glow faded ptifully from her face at his words
as if devastating hand had passed her features
leaving them pnched and old "Who-got it? she
whispered.
He pushed by her, roughly, and she drew away,
frightened at his bitterness. "Sommers, of course
You surely didn't think was the lucky dog?"
Copyright 1910 By Metroporstan Newspaper syn6scet<