Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-12-04

can-'er-I should say afternoon"
$50 you should" Sam admitted. still
fussing with his work. Anything you
WANT"
Duncan swallowed hard and master
ed his confusion. Would it be posi-
bic for ME to speak to the proprietor a
momentY
Il should jedge it would. Go right
along" Sam filed vigorously.
Might | ask-are you Mr.. Ora ham?"
Yes. sir; that's me"
The filing continued stridently.
lin looking for employ
said Duncan hastily. If
"Employment!'
Graham dropped his tools with a
chatter and faced round For mo.
ment his eyes twinkled and Il wintry
smile lightened his fine old features.
well. | declare.' he said rising
You must be 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 Ell
deavor to give satisfaction. Good day.
sir" And he made for the door.
"Eh, just minute" said Graham.
Are you in a hurry!"
Duncan paused. smiling nervously.
know-just say it and get right
mean | don't want to take up your
valuable time, sir"
Graham chuckled. Guess the folks
haven't been talking much to you
about me-" he suggested You seem
to have 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
breathess 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.
We'll" said Duncan. staring. you
are the first man | ever met that felt
that way about it."
Sans amusement dwindled. ''rhe
trouble is" he confessed-"thet 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. II mean
I'm willing to take any position. no
matter how insignificant. I mean it.
honestly"
This might suit you. them
~ 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, can't afford
it. When your pay was due I'm afraid
| shouldn't have any money to give
you"
Duncan dismissed this paltry CON
sidera non with a princely gesture. II
don't mind that part" he insisted
MIR. Graham. if you'll teach me the
drug business III work for you for
nothing"
He said it earnestly, for he meant It
just bit more seriously than he him.
self realized at the moment. and I'm
glad to think it was because Sans
nd ilnln tI,r I'D
appealed to the young man.
Between you and me-" he hurried
on, Its this way-Ive been here for
two weeks with nothing to do but look
at Il book, and 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. 81
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 x Lees. They'd
be glad to get you at the price"
And in a week they'd think they
NO; Eve been there Why not try me
on here?"
well, I'm just little bit afraid you
wouldn't learn much, my boy. | 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 ays"-Graham reckoned it
on his fingers-"I take in a 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-uot 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 theyE'
"Ob. yes" said Graham abstractedly
CHAPTER VIII.
EFA HE thought infused new life