The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-16
TIE EVENING STORY
Rich Miss Gladys.

said of Fred Bingham, the rich Wild
ow Bingham's son. And it was often
added that Fred was a singular fell
low.
! His mother was rich and he was
singular. If she had had her way
about it he would have been brought
up as most rich mems sons area
good deal of pampering and dawdling
! "a squeeze through some college,
| fashionable marriage and useless
life. He was started that way, but
he rebelled. What he learned at col
lege was sound; what he observed he
remembered. Nature had given him
bent toward mechanics, and early in
his career he had his tools and his
workshop. Before he had reached his
majority he had invented half a dozen
things the world wanted. Soon after
that came the downfall.
1t was discovered that the lawyer
who was managing the rich widows
business for her had embeZzled a large
sum of money-so large that she was
20 longer even moderately well off.
There must be a great coming down TO
make ends meet on the small sum left.
An estate all tangled up and not t.
be settled up for years was placed in
the hands of a law firm, and Fred
Bingham went forth to make his way
almost 5archa"ded.
At the big machine shops of Whit
ney & Son, Boston, they had need OF
handy man, and their advertisement
brough Fred Bingham as an appn-
cant. He modestly stated his capa-
bilities in the mechanical line and
was taken on. He was pleased in
way, and yet displeased. The elder
Mr.. Whitney liked his looks and mod
est demeanor and was friendly. The
son James, about % years old, had
been taken in as partner and given the
office department to manage, because
because he was his fathers son. Even
the father could furnish no better ex-
cuse unless it was the hope of steady
ing the young man down.
When two young men meet for the
first time it depends almost on the
first glance whether they are to like
each other or not. 1t was not neces-
sary in this case that there should be
friendship between the Office and the
shop. Fred Bingham would be treat
ed as an employee, and he would cheer
fully grant the respect due the office.
but he found within two minutes that
there would be an antagonism with the
son. There was tyranny and domineer-
ing in young Whitney's every look and
attitude. The applicant was a gentle
man even if he handled tools. He had
a solid education. He was an enthusi-
asst in his work. He had a way that
commanded respect, even though it
brought antagonism with it.
THAT fellow needs trimmin' down.
and it will be up to me to do It,
whispered young Whitney to himself
as the caller left the Office.
"I see my finish here in a month,
if the son has his say about it," said
young Bingham to himself, as he walk
ed away to find a boarding place.
Fred Bingham found temporary
home in suburb within stones throw
of his employers grand mansion. and
when he gave in his address at the
office he was met with the sneering
remark from young Whitney:
81 wonder that you didn't buy a
$20, 900 residence out there and arrange
to come down to the works in your
own auto!
sufficient to start quarrel on, but of
what use? Fred Bingham was pleased
to get a position in a big shop where
he could fairly try himself out and
meet the many problems that would
arise. In a fortnight the elder Whit
ney was saying of him:
st declare, James, we've got real
genius in Bingham
"Oh, 1 don't know was the reply. |
That's because you don't go through
about him. He has improved some of
the machines so that we get a quarter
more work out of them. He'll save
US five times his salary inside year"
The son replied with a grunt of dis |
belief and there the matter dropped.
=
Bingham attended Sunday services at
a humble little church, and was ushereG
into a pew in which a young lady sat |
alone. There was congregational sing |
ing, and as they rose she offered him |
the half of her hymn book and they |
sang together. If any one had asked |
Fred as he walked homeward, if the |
young lady, who had been so courteous, |
were handsome or homely he could not |
have told. He would have admitted |
however, that her voice had charmed |
him.
On the following morning, as Fred |
left his clearinghouse to take the car |
to his work he found an auto standing |
in the streets in a helpless condition. |
The chauffeur was under it searching /
for the cause, and a young woman .
with a vexed look on her face was
standing by. AS Fred approached she |
smiled and bowed. A sort of instinct |
told him she was the one of the pew. /
With a flushed face. he lifted his cap /
and advanced and said:
ST beg your pardon but perhaps I
can be of assistance?
eff you only could" she replied. "It /
has gone dead Just when 1 wanted |
speed the worst"
A minute later he turned to her with /
a laugh and said: ''They are improv- |
ing these machines all the time, but |
they haven't turned out one yet that |
will run without gasoline. There's |
none in the tank. Good morning
Miss Gladys Humphreys was an or |
phan, living with her aunt, and &C |
counted one of the wealthiest girls in
Boston. A dozen gallants, including |
young Whitney, were on her list of |
suitors, and gossip said that the latter |
was the favored one so far. She and |
Fred Bingham had not exchanged |
A week after the auto incident. and