Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-21

Il
We are in a position to undersel
the trade, Mr.. Bruce" he observed n
a low tone to the young man, heat
of one of the principal departments o
the large wholesale firm.
Il congratulate YOU" The speaker
hammer in hand, turned. He was {
young fellow, tall, athletic, with ligh
brown hair, fine, immovable features
enigmatic mouth, and eyes which seem
ed at once ironically humorous and i'm
penetrable. His dress was simple
but immaculate. Bought cheap,
lsuppose," he added in a quiet voice.
Yes, and" Mr.. Goldberg paused
half f-questioningly, half-tentatively re-
garded his employee. He liked the
young man whose social position ant
little eccentricities daZzled as well as
sometimes bewildered him. There
were moments even, as now, when the
employer would have liked to "get
nearer" the other, but Mr.. Bruce gave
him not the slightest preteXt for con-
fidences, apart from the regular rou-
tine of business; his manner was re-
spectful, but distant. Somehow any
desire on Mr.. Goldberg's part to Gre
ate a closer, more personal relation
ship with his clerk slowly vanished;
the keen, sharp eyes Of the business
man met the well-contained gray ones
of his employee. Got the goods al
the lowest figure" said Mr.. Goldberg
"Our buyer was unusually fortunate
The impersonal gaze of Chatfield
Bruce fell; he began to work on the
box. Game through all right at the
customs, then" he remarked in d
matter -of-fact tone.
Mr.. Goldberg's glance shifted. Ma
turally." Our firm always deals square
with the government, and so we never
have any trouble. Honesty's the best
policy; that's my maxim: eh, Mr.
Bruce?"
A faint trace Of some emotion pass
ed around the corner of the young
mans lips he pounded at nail. You
may be sure I know that. Mr.. Gold
berg. or"
You wouldn't work for me! That's
what you mean?" jocosely.
Mr.. Bruce made a deprecatory gest-
ure; continued his task. Mr.. Goldberg
watched the supple movements of his
figure; the hands, thin, long, muscu-
lar: well-kept. Those hands rather
fascinated Mr.. Goldberg.
See here, Bruce!" He liked occa-
sionally to call the young fellow by his
last name, the way the latter's swell
friends did. You ought not to be
doing that sort of thing, you know"
Opening boxes?" Bruce laughed
Yes; I'm aware my salary demands
a higher kind of labor, but"-straight-
ening-"things were for the moment
slack upstairs, and-well, 1t seemed
as If I wanted the exercise. But shan't
be at it long; l promise shortly to
return to my more important duties"
/ "Oh, l was only thinking it wasn't
the kind of job for a man with hands
like Yours. You've got the swagger
society thing in hands. Now look at
mine," extending a stubby pair. Not
much alike, are they? But if you find
things slack, take a half day off, not
forgetting" jocularly, Ito tell your
friends that the retailers will soon be
supplied with Goldbergs-" Here he
mentioned several brands Of articles
that masqueraded under the firm
name.
Bruce's smile was enigmatic. 'Nev-
er forget that" he remarked. And
Goldberg though slightly puzzled,
knew he told the truth. He lived in
a big house himself; the prestige OF
employing a man like Bruce counted
for something. Besides, oddly, the
young fellow really earned his salary
Not that he needed it; Chatfield
Bruce Mr.. Goldberg knew, kept two
sets of books.
i One dealt with his inheritance which
this eccentric young man for some in
explicable reason never touched, save
for charitable purposes; the other
comprised a journal and ledger of his
actual personal earnings and eXpen-
ditures. He made a good salary, lived
modestly and was a careful spender
although moving in the most exclusive
sets. His habits. which were order
ly, made it possih' for one of his
limited earning capacity to keep alive
a large circle of friends; he could
waive certain eXtravagances with good
grace: Not for me, thank you! You
know my salary? Wait" with mimi
table imitation of his employers ac-
cents, until l am a member of the
firm of Goldberg and Company
Protests of this character were in
diligently received; he was humored
as an original"
BY the way, Bruce" the elder man
continued, We're going to open our
new country home at Comscot with a
grand house party. Will it he swell
enough for you to Gomez" A little
earnestness mingled with the face
tiousness of his tone.
why not?" said the young man
evenly. when is it?"
In August; your vacation time"
All, had made other plans. Still
it may be possible" Mr.. Goldberg re-
garded him suspiciously. Shall we
say for the first day or two, if l car
make it,"
"All right. There's going to he q
big band (Mr. Goldberg said pig
pandD and all kinds of such nonsense
and the women will wear their bigges,
diamonds-in fact. l promised my wife
the real bang-up thing. l can afford
it," His glance shifted moment tc
the boxes. Business looks very goot
just now"
Il shall do my best to accept, Mr.
Goldberg. and on second thought
really think 1 can arrange it--manI
thanks"
Don't mention it." A moment ye
the employer fingered. You haven