The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-12-04
ABoonerang
By ANDREW c. EWING

III ny HA>A>AAV w ~ - w - w.
Its all up with me, Sadie!
what in the world is the matter?'
I'm fred"
"From your position?
yes
"What for?'
'Well, you know that when was
graduated from the electrical school
l was offered situation in the office
of the Metcaf company, of which MI.
Metcalf is president and principal
stakeholder. l supposed the position
would be permanent 1t turns out that
the Metcalf company had put in bid
on the erection of an electrical plant
and had been awarded the contract.
Mr. Metcalf wanted some one to assist
in making figures on the specifications
and hired me for that purpose The
formula being now completed, he has
no further use for me-"
How dishonorable in him not to
have told you in the beginning that
you were simply employed for the
job"
"If he had I would have declined his
offer, for had permanent one offered
me at q lower salary. I've been work
ing nights for six months besides my
day work and have a whole closet full
of estimates figured out that wouldn't
do over again for a thousand dollars.
received only 5000 for the whole
period of my service. I'm sorry,
Sadie, that we can't fix the date we
expected to fix for our wedding. I
shall have to hunt for another place,
and when get one can't tell whether
1 shall be treated in the same shabby
fashion"
"Well, Bob, expect you'll find the
world full Of disappointments."
Eyes, and when get knocked down
propose to get up and push on"
Good! If you feel that way you're
sure to win In the end"
But Bob found getting another place
difficult. Engineers were being gradu-
ated every June, and those just enter
ing the field were ready to work cheap.
Besides, dull times came on, and it
was difficult for those having positions
W uOlu tucu. LIS AdA(cC w as dIW dS .
hopeful and cheered him so far as she
could
One day the young engineer was call
ed up on telephone. On answering
the call he learned that the person
on the other end of the wire was the
president Of the Metcalf company.
would it be possible" he asked,
"for you to recall from, memory the
formula you made for the electrical
plant we bid on while you were with
us?"
"No, SIR
There was no further word for a
moment, but Bob knew that the receiv-
er had not been hung up.
"Why do you ask? Has anything
happened to the formula I made for
you?"
Yes. Last night our safe was bro
ken into, and it was taken with other
moneys and securities, and there is
no certainty Of our ever recovering it.
We must begin work Immediately in
order to get the job finished according
to contract"
Bob opened his eyes, but not his
mouth. He knew that the company
would forfeit 100000 If the work was
not finished OF time. Indeed, it could
not begin without making new formu-
Ia. At length he said:
Il could help you out, Mr.. Metcalf,
but don't think you treated me right
in not telling me when you employed
me that it was for this job only.
did great deal of work home at
nights and simply took results to the
Office. All that home work l have and
could easily reconstruct the formula
from it."
Bob could hear suppressed ex-
clamation Of joy.
"You can come back to work If you
like" said the president, land I'll raise
your salary"
THANK you. 1 don't care to enter
your employ again."
I'll make it permanent"
THAT doesn't tempt me either"
What do you ask for the figures
you have?''
'"They are not for SALE Had l been
retained permanently in your employ
l would give them to you, or If had
been told that was hired simply for
the job l would do the same. AS it is
l am under no obligations to you"
There was silence for few moments
when the question came, "Will you
be at home this EVENING" to which
Bob replied that he would.
When Mr.. Metcalf called in the even
ing he looked very much broken. He
offered Bob $4,000 If he would re-
construct the formula. Bob declined
the offer. but made a counter PROPOSE
ton. He proposed that they should
submit the case to the heads of other
concerns to decide between them what
the cost should be, both to be bound
by their decision. The offer was ac-
cepted, and an average amount Of what
the arbitrators figured as proper pay
ment was $12,5OO.
But a different arrangement was
made. Mr.. Metcalf sold a controlling
interest in the company to the vice
president and resigned the presidency.
Bob was given position at $1,000
year for five years and restored the
formula as an employee without
charge. His ability to do so saved the
company from ruin.
Bob never said word to his fiancee
about the loss of the formula fill the