Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-26


cine. The recessed door bore IN IN
scription in gold letters, tarashed and
half ohlitcrated.
AM GRAHAM
RUGS e. CHEM c Is
Inscription CAREF LIZ c POUNDED
Looks like the very place for one
Of my acknowledged Abilities said
Duncan. He turned the knob and en-
tered, advancing to the middle Of tie
dingy room
\ slight grating noise behind him
brought Duncan round with start.
AT workbench near the window sat
Il white haired man CARRIED baggily
III an old crash coat and trousers His
head was bowed over something
clamped in wise. at which he was
tinkerng busily with file. lie did
not look up. but as his caller moved
inquired amiably, Weir
Good morning" stammered Dun
can-"er-l should say afternoon"
80 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
momentY
II should jedge it would. Go right
along" Sam filed vigorously.
Might l ask--are you Mr. Graham:'
Yes, sir; that's me-"
The filing continued stridcntly
lin looking for employment"
said Duncan hastily. Of
employment
clatter and faced round. For mo-
ment his eyes twinkled and wintiy
smile lightened his fine old features.
well, l 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
! leavor to give satisfaction. Good day,
sir" And he made for the door.
Eth, just minute" said Graham.
Are you in Il hurry
Duncan paused. smiling nervously.
"Oh. no-only | mustn't press it, you
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-" be 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 a
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. lie didn't for a moment be-
lieve that Duncan really needed em-
ployment. and. on the other hand. it
tickled him Immensely to think that
thy one should apply to him FOR work.
We'll" said Duncan, staring. you
IRE the first man I 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
l don't need any help. There isn't
much of anything to do here
That's just the sort of place Id
like" said Duncan impulsively. Then
he laughed little uneasily, Il mean
I'm willing to take any position, nc
matter how insignificant. | mean it,
honestly"
This might suit you. then"
II 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 afforG
L. When your pay was due I'm afrac
I shouldn't have any money to give
you"
Duncan dismissed this paltry con
sideration with prlncely gesture. a..
don't mind that part he insisted
mir, Graham, If you'll teach me thu
drug business I'll work for you fol
nothing"
lie sGid 1t earnestly, for he meant /
lust bit more seriously than he him
self realized at the moment, and In
glad TO think it was because Sam,
serene and gentle, guileless nature hae
appealed to the young man.
''Bctween you and me-" he hurried
on, its this way-I've been here fo
two weeks with nothing to do but lool
at 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, swan" he said. :"
guess you must find It pretty SLOW
down here. But" Frightening ''if 70,
feel that way about it I'd better tax,
you over to Sothern & Lees. They,
be glad to get you at the price"
And in Il week they'd think the,
were overpaying me-" Duncan argued
mo; I've been there. why not try m
on hereT''
, well I'm just little bit afraid yol
wouldn't learn much, my boy. | don
do business enough to give you q GOO
idea of It,"
Duncan brushed this inpatient
aside. How much business are 20
doing here now"
"Some days"-(iraham reckoned
on his fpgers-'I take in a dollar o
two and some days nothing, There
my sody fountain" he said. with
jerk Of thumb toward it-"got tina