Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-25
Messingwell's
Failure
He Kept His Promise
Faithfully
BY cLARlssA MAcKlE

the girl at the typewriter paused and
drew the receiver TO her ear. She
frowned as she recognized the voice AT
the other end of the wire.
Perhaps you better talk to Mr.. Mes
singweIl: wait a moment. please" she
said. pressing a button at the side OF
her desk. She hung up the receiver
but did not resume her interrupted oc.
cupation. From behind the closed glass
door OF her employers private office
came the deep bass murmur OF his
voice as he talked with Rudolph Fear
ing.
Suddenly she caught her breath as
Messingwell's voice rang suddenly
sharp and distinct 10 her listening ears
VERY WE'LL Fearing: II you don't hear
from me by noon you can do your
worst-and go to the devil afterward!"
Then she heard the receiver slammed
on It's hook and the creak Of his chair
as he swung away from his desk.
Emily carman had been Alden Mes
sIngwcll's chief clerk for two years.
Ii was n losing game for Messingwell
He had come ut the bidding Of a dying
father to carry on the long established
business of Messingwell & Co. which
old Messingwell and spendthrift
younger son had managed TO involve
almost to the point of failure when a
death stroke laid the father low. The
younger son had taken himself as far
away from the lettering business as
his means would permit. and so Alden
was left with his promise to fulfill to
the best OF his ability.
"i'l do the best | can. father" he
promised I'm not good business
man--doctors seldom are. you know
but as long as | have n penny TO my
name the old sign shall swing above
the Office door"
His father had begged him 10 keep
up the appearance of prosperity. THE
business will come back again. Alden.
Just give II chance 10 recover from
the depression"
The depression was thing OF the
past. and prosperity was abroad In the
land. and there still remained the de.
caying business. perhaps a little
strengthened here and there. but bound
TO die In the near future The machin-
cry In the long mill buildings was ont
Of date. and Messingwell's methods
were hopelcssly old fashioned
The week before Alden had closed
down the mills and given the hands
two weeks vacation. The notice tackled
ON the door spoke OF an inventory"
being taken. but Rudolph Fearing had
laughed as he read 1t and promptly
hired all OF the Messingwell hands for
his own modern. up to the minute fac.
tories. He knew that Alden Ind not
the money to pay his workers another
weeks wages; that there were no or
ders on his books: that failure was
staring the unfortunate physician in
the face
Emily Carman knew all these things.
and so she hesitated before she turned
the knob that opened the door between
her office and Messingwell's At last
she summoned courage aud slipped in
side. standing With her slender. erect
figure beside him
Did you call me. Mr.. Messingwell:"
she inquired.
He swung about and turned pale.
respondent face toward her. mo. /
didn't call. Miss Carman. But he
paused for an instant aud looked in her
face for the fash OF sympathy he had
never failed 10 find there, aud again he
was rewarded. did you know Fearing
had bought up every obligation we
owe?" he asked bluntly.
Il heard II yesterday" she said
steadily.
He gives me until noon to settle.
then he will close me up for good. I've
made a mess OF II ALI" he ended with
sudden passion. Il ought TO have hired
a manager and kept out OF II myself"
She permitted little silence to fol.
low IN order that he might recover his
poise Then she said: "0f course II
seems hard TO let the business 90 10
man like Rudolph Fearing. but every
firm must come TO an end some day.
timely or otherwise II you sell all the
buildings. machinery and fixtures
have calculated there would be enough
TO wipe out all the obligations and
leave clean record for the firm OF
Messingwell 4 Co"
His establishment was genuine "You
have calculated?" he repeated "you
have estimated the possibility OF my
giving np-you have seen what
banked failure | ann He smiled bit
ierly and turned his eyes away from
her.
at Isn't failure TO withdraw from
business because one cannot honorably
carry II on" she returned with spirit
If failure IL the ultimate end. why not
draw out before II actually happens
and thus Illustrate the eud!"
lie shook his head hopelessly II
promised father I'd hang on to the
business ~ long rs | had penny.
haven't got much now. but think
know how 4 can staye Fearing of for