Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-11-04

Narston's grasp OF the HAND. the In
tensity Of her gaze 1t receiving me.
would have astonished me had 1t not
been that I had received 90 many sur
crises already. The children all gave
evidence Of the same interest. l was
treated a. affectionately as II ! had
been some dear relative. When TOOK
nv leave was urged to make their
home my home. coming and going
without ceremony.
I became sufficiently friendly with
one Of the heads Of departments to ask
him one day what he considered the
cause of Mr.. Marston's and his fam.
ily's kindly treatment Of me. He said
that Mr.. Marston was a very singular
man. He had been accustomed to re-
warding the employees Of the concern
for faithful and valuable service SUD
denly and with no reference to what
the reward was given for. 1t seemed
to be a fancy with him. and no one
ever questioned or discussed anything
he did. This gave no linking OF the
reason for my preferential treatment
for 1t had begun before had had
chance to earn It
In two years I was made vice plesi-
dent of the company, and Mr.. Marston.
who was getting tired Of the business.
began to throw a great deal of the re-
sponsibility he had Heretofore taken to
himself upon me. I must have devel'
oped a certain amount Of business ca
pacity or l would not have been able
to bear this burden for any considera-
bic period II was about this time that
I married. and Mr.. Marston gave me
q house. At the time Of this gift led
the way for him to tell me why he had
80 favored me, but he did not avail
himself Of It. He turned away with q
grunt. saying:
I'VE can't avoid fate, which Is much
more liable to strike than to coddle u.s.
In the first case 1t does no good to
prumble. and In the second 1t does no
good to wonder. In either event we
must accept what she has in store
for US"
The secret came out in time. Mr..
Marston was taken Ill and sent for
me to come to see him. went and.
when ushered Into the bedroom where
he lay, stood transfxed with astonish.
ment. he had been III two months.
during which period had not seen
him. His hair had grown and for
about an inch from his scalp was red
and the same shade Of red Us my own.
the rest being black. 1t was evident
that he had been accustomed to dye II
and during his illness had ceased to
do 30.
1T Is time" he said to me. that l
let you know the reason why have
helped you. 1t is because some TWEEN
ty years ago l would have suffered the
death of felon had It not been for
you. A third person. who also had red
hair like yours and mine, committed u
murder. I would have been identified
as the murderer had 1t not been for
! your opportune appearance with the
same or q like shade Of hair as the
! other two. You deserve no credit for
| having saved me from an ignobie
0eath, but It has given me no end OF
pleasure and comfort to reward you
as the unIntentional cause Of my es,
cape. have done It selhshly and for
my own satisfaction. not yours.
II have sent for you to tell you this
and to say to you that ] shall not
again return to the management OF the
business. Fortunately for US both. you
! have shown yourself capable Of man
aging u large business like thut OF the
Marston company. have decided to
give you one-twenueth Of my holdings
of the capital stock Of the company
for think that the manager OF bust
ness should be interested In that bust
ness with It's shareholders. and. with
the holdings Of my family. you will
! be able to keep the control. At the
election which comes of next month
you will be made president. | have no
doubt the interests Of all concerned
will be well served 80 long rs you hold
the Office"
Why Mr.. Mnrston 70 long kept from
me the cause Of his preference for me
he did not tell me. but can see ad
vantages in 1t. II ! did not show my
self worthy It would be easier for hiu
10 drop me out Of the business OF
| leave me among the lower grades OF
employees. But. as has been said. he
was an odd man and had an odd way
/ Of doing things.