Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-05-12

ment his eyes twinkled and q wintry
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 en-
deavor to give satisfaction. Good day,
sir" And he made for the door.
''Eh, just a minute" said Graham.
Are you in hurry?"
Duncan paused. smiling nervously.
"Oh, no-ouly 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-" he suggested. You seem
to have a 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-youd like to!
You don't mean it,
Yes" Graham nodded. smiling with
enjoyment of his little joke. 1t vas
harmless. He didn't for Il moment be-
| lieve that Duncan really needed en-
| ployment. aud. on the other hand. it
Id i,>,,, RI thInl. that
any one Shuud ai;i,!y TO him for work.
Well" said duncan. staring. you
are the first man | ever met that felt
that way about it"
Snnl'S 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
mue b OF anything to do here"
"That's JUST the sort Of place I'd
like" said Duncan impulsively. Then
he laughed little uneaSily. Il mean
I'm willing TO take any position. no
| matter how insignificant. l mean it.
honestly"
| Tbs might suit yea, them
~ wish You'd let me try it. sir"
Put yon cent understand" Ora
',ar. .vas Snr;ous enough now. There
WASN'T any joke in what he had to say.
To tell you the truth, can't afford
Il. when vnur pay was due I'm afraid
shouldn't have any money to give
YOU"
duncan dismissed this paltry con-
s'deradon with a princely gesture. IT
don't mind that part" he insisted
MIR. Graham. If you'll teach me the
drug business I'll work for you for
nothing"
He said it earnestly. for he meant II
just bit more seriously than he him
self realized at the moment, and I'm
glad to think it was because Sans
serene and gentle. guleless nature had
appealed to the young man.
Between you aud me-" he hurried
on. Its this way-Ive been here fol
two weeks with nothing to do but loob
at book. and It's got Inc crazy enough
to want to work.
| AS TOT sam. as SOOu dS he IeCOFeIet
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 I'd better take
you over to Sothern & Lees. They'd
be glad to get you at the price"
"And in week they'd think they
were overpaying me-" Duncan argued
mo; I've been there. Why not try me
on here?"
"Well. I'm just little bit afraid you
wouldn't learn much, my boy. DOM
do business enough to give you good
idea Of It."
Duncan brushed this impatiently
aside. How much business are you
doing here noww
Some days'-Graham reckoned II
on his fngers-''I take In a dollar OF
two and some days nothing. There's
my sody fountain" he said, with 9
jerk of thumb toward it-"got tha
fixed up a little while ago, and it's
bringing in a Lttle-not much. Yor
see. need more sirups. I've only got
vanilly now"
Soda water" Duncan jumped al
the idea Hold on! All the girls
round here drink soda, don't they"
"Oh. yes" said Graham abstractedly