The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
1

Then he said; We'll / will see what I
can do about tt
few months later chauncey Parker
assumed office as postmaster at Gras-
mere.
The town was growing. the country
around was developing, business was
good and the trade of the store broad
ened year by year. 1t outgrew its old
o:arters and took on quite metropolitan
asl eet
Kenyon no longer paid much attention
to it. He had plenty to engage his at
tention at the bank and with his many
other affairs.
About two years after Parker senior
had been made postmaster. people began
to remark that Jim Parker was getting
thin and seemed to be ailing. He was
overworked. Some of his friends suggest
ed that he ought to take things easier or
he would break down. Jim usually the
most kindly of persons, showed irritation
when this idea was put to him. He never
felt better, he e@insisted People was mis-
taken. Hard work never hurt anyone
But a few months later there was no
Disgusting the fact that he was run down.
He went W Kenyon and told him he had
been to see the doctor. who advised him
to 20 away for a few weeks
Good idea, said the big man. 81 was
going to suggest 1t to you myself Want
some money!.
No, thank you said Jim, his face
suddenly growing red.
Jim was to go to Hot Springs, Ark. At
the end of two weeks a letter was re-
cc.ved from him. saying he had improved
a little, but not enough to warrant his re-
turn, at that time. He thought he would
remain week or 10 days longer. A week,
10 days and full two weeks passed and
nothing was heard of Jim. Kenyon sent
a message to the postmaster asking If he
had heard from the young man. Parker,
senior. had not. Kenyon waited few
days more and then telegraphed to Hot
Springs. The telegraph company re-
ported the message undelivered, that no
such party was there. Kenyon telegraphei
the hotel manager. That gentleman re-
piled that Jim had departed several weeks
before, leaving no word as to his desti-
nation. Kenyon waited a few more days
and hearing nothing from Jim nor Jirns
father, he sent one of the young men
from the bank over to take charge of the
store. Tho bank clerk was a shrewd.
close-mouthcd individual Naturally
from his bank training. he paid more at
tention to the books than to any other
detail Of the store management. That
was to be expected. He was content to let
the very competent persons Jim had
gathered about him look after their va
rious departments.
few days after the bank clerk had
gone to the store he had an interview with
Kenyon.
SO far as have gone | found a short
age of trife less than sSoOe' he said.
The speculations began about year
ago The total cannot be more than s11,-
900. l am inclined to think they do not ex-
ceed $4,000.
You needn't search further said
Kenyon. Never mention this matter to
any one. Understand p
The bank cNrk understood
To every one who inquired about how
Jim was progressing, Kenyon shook his
head mournfuly. He was very much
worried, he acknowledged. Jim had been
seriously ILL., 1t would be weeks, perhaps
months. before he was restored to health
He had broken down completely.
On the quiet. Kenyon had a detective
agency searching for trace of Jim. On the
quiet, he did thing he never did
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