El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-06-21
A Mugs Game
A Short story.


London could claim for their
Z L counting house a scene of greater
activity than Messrs. DodsOn. Finch &
Dodson, but fortunately, that activity
was not always confined to count
ing" or the other legitimate func-
tions Of the department.
Discussions and differences arose
I constantly over matters trlfle re-
moved from silks and satins-
"TOttenham Hotspur,' said junior
clerk Jones. pugnaciously. could eat
Chelsea, SO now
At which assistant clerk Brown
bridled and drew on the resources OF
official prestige
Look here. Jones'" he said shortly,
get on with your work I haven
got time to listen to your football
claptrap. 7 want that ledger balanced
by lunch time, or you'll explain 10
Mr.. Coates"
Mr.. Jones went over the ponderous
logger on his desk. and addressed him
self in tones happily laudable-
That was Brown all over Couldn
hive q decenr. sensible discussion
without losing his temper and turn
ing on shop He wouldn't get any
ledger balanced by lunch time. He'd
watch it. Explain to Coates Rats
Air- Jones by spasmodlc species OF
Logic, ultimately came TO the conelu-
siOn-nOt altogether unlque-IhaL
Brown was a fool
That being so. il became the juniors
overwh Ginning desire to take his con-
frere down q peg
How. he had vet to decide
A half On hour later the junior clerk
had occasion to traverse the corridor
that led to the buying department As
he did so, his eye caught the gate of
the automatic sel1-Operatlng lift IL
was d more or less prOsaic object for
an eye to catch, but il flashed TO the
nimble brain of Mr. Jones and insplra-
ton of the first water. He chucEled-
Everyone went out to lunch at
o'clock except Mr-r Brown. who from
extra zeal. let us say-stayed almost
invariabIe till quarter past Also. the
assistant senior clerk was in the habit
of descending by the automatic lift
This Mr.. Jones also rememb ered- AT
two or three minutes to one the buSLe
and activity Of the DOdson-t lnch eS-
adjustment became alarmingly accen-
tUated. Everyone seemed excessively
impatient to leave the premises-that
is with the exception Of Mr.. Brown
as usual and also AR Jones strange TO
say
The former glanced up at his con-
frere and smiled Evidently Jones had
taken him seriously, and intended TO
complete the ledger before going out
At 10 minutes past one Jones got up
and getting on his coat and hat, went
out. He descended to the first floor,
which was deserted. Here he took up
station by the gates of the automatic
lift
Presently. just about a quarter past,
the lift began to descend. Quickly and
quietly Jones eNerted his strength and
wrenched open the gate The lift
ChUClling. out to lunch.
At 10 minutes past one that after
noon TOdbury Finch, Esq. junior part
ner of the firm. was seated in his sane
tum on the third floor when there
came a ring on the telephone
Halo he said Who's that Oh.
Hello. George How are yOu2 What's
Jhat2 Got something good for the
ocIock2 BlucbeH 100 to g.. What's
-nat2 Back heavy2 It's a cert then.
Put II on at once Yes, I will Thanks
for the top. old mani Goodbye"
He put up the receiver and looked
hurriedly at his watch. Just a quarter
pest one. By JOve, he'd have TO act
quickly He grabbed his hat and hUr-
ried into the lift Pressed the button,
and began TO descend Suddenly be-
Tvs cen the second and third floors it .
What was up2 He. pressed all (
the buttons vigorously, reslammed the
gate. TUNED and pottered for five min
Ites.
Then he called out.
Hi, Shut that gate there. Hin
The reply came back in angry tones;
c. gate therel Hin
Todburg Finch simply frothed with
age. It would be too late to put any Z
money on the o'clock. The junior |
partner of DOdSOn Finch & DOdsOn was >
az tu up Inc a prize IdDblL- D4l ms D
iemoanor was less placid than a rab- :
BITS.
Meanwhile, junior clerk Jones. with I
he feelings of one who has success I
Ully perpetrated a joke of the first 4
water. repaired to the tea shop where I
h. usually took lunch.
Here he eSpied Stemmings a fellow :
Jerk and kindred spirit and took a /
cat opposite him.
Presently Jones having battled sue /
esSfully with a toasted muffin, leaned 3
Jack in his chair and threw q casual I
dance over the assembly of diners.
lis face went q shade paler. and his /
YES took on a suddenly startled look
For deep in the contemplation of a
raughtbOard in the vicinity was no
theT than Mr.. Brown
What's up?" inquired Standings,
centing something unusual.
How longs Brown been in here"
Sked Jones.
Game in just after you. Why?"
He did cried Jones. leapinE from
is chair.
Yes" Stemmings repeated. "Why?"
Nothing replied Jones.
With which he collected his bill has
lys and performed the unprecedented