The Irish standard., 1911-02-04


slider the worth of money or how hard
It Is to earn. My father saw to all
that. He seemed not to- want me to
work; not that hold that against him.
He'd an idea I'd turn out genius of
some sort or other, ! believe. Well,
he failed and died all in week.
and I found myself left with an en-
tensive wardrobe, expensive tastes, an
impractical edncation-and not so
much Of that that you'd notice it--and
not cent. was too proud to look to
my friends for help in those days-and
perhaps that was as we'll; l sought
Jobs on my own. Did you ever keep
books in a fish marketY"
"No." Standings eyes twinkled be-
hind his large, shiny glasses.
But what's the use of my boring
you" Duncan made as if to rise, sud-
denly remembering himself.
you're not. Go on"
II didn't mean to. Mostly, I pre-
sumo, I've been laundering round an
explanation of Kelloggs kindness to
me, in my usual Intellectual way, but
felt an eXplar .Iien was due you. as
the latest to suffer through his mis-.
placed interest in me-
Perhaps" said Spauldlng, II am be-
ginning to understand. Go on, Pm
Interested. About the, fish markct?"
"Oh, just happened to think of it as
sample experience, and the last Of
that particular brand. got SO a week
and earned every cent Of it inhaling
the atmosphere My board cost me
Sc and the other SIS afforded me
chance to demonstrate myself a cap.
tain of finance. paying laundry bills
and clothing myself, besides buying
lunches and such like small matters
I did the whole thing, you know, one
schooner Of beer Il day and made my
own cigarettes. Never could make up
my mind which was the worst The
hours We're easy. too: didn't have to
get to work until 5 in the morning
I lasted five weeks at that job before
1 was taken sick. Shows what great
constitution I've got"
"And then"
Job Duncan reused "Why.
then fell in with Kellogg again; he
found me trying the open air cure on
bench in Washington square Since
then he's been finding me one bertl,
after another He's sure enough or.
timist"
Spaulding shifted uneasily in his
oh in CT Inv inn, ,1c>o
unwisdom he could not doubt Dun
can had assuredly done his case no
good by painting his shortcomings in
colors so vivid; vet somehow, strange.
ly, spaulding liked him the better for
his open hearted confession
"Wel"- Spauldine stumbled awk.
wardly
Eyes; OF COURSE" said Duncan
promptly. rising. "Sorry if tired
you"
"what do you mean by Yes, Of
course?'"
"That you called me in to fire me-
and so that's over with. Only I'd be
sorry to have YOU sore on Kellogg for
saddling me on you. You see. he be-
lieved I'd make good and so l did
In way; at least l hoped to-
"Oh, that's all right" said Spaulding
uncomfortably. 1.-THE trouble is, you
see. we've nothing else open just now.
but if you'd really like another chance
on the road I'm be glad to speak
to Mr.. Atwater about it,"
Don't you do it," Duncan counsel.
ed him sharply. aShast. "He might
say yes. And I simply couldn't ac-
cept; it wouldn't be fair to you. Nel-
logg or myself. It'd be charity, for
I've proved l can't earn my wages, and
I haven't come to that yet. Mo-" he
concluded with determination and
picked up his hat.
Gust minute" Spaulding held him
with a gesture. You're forgetting
something-at least I am. There's a
months pay coming to you. The cash
Ter will hand you the check as you 20
out"
"A months payY Duncan said
blankly. "How's that? I've drawn up
to the end of this week already, If
you didn't know it"
"Of course knew it. But we never
let our men go without a months no.
tice or it's equivalent, and"-
"No," Duncan interrupted firmly
mo; but thank you just the same.
Couldn't really couldn't. It's good
Of you. but Now" he broke off
abruptly, give left my accounts, what
there is Of them. with the bookkeep-
ing department, and the checks for
my sample trunks. There'll be a few
dollars coming to me on my expense
account, and III send you my address
as soon as get one"
But, look here"- spaulding got to
his feet, frowning.
mo" reiterated Duncan positively.
there's no use. Pm grateful to you
for your liberation Of me and all that,
but we can't do anything better now
than call 1t all off. Goodby, Mr..
Spaulding."