Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-18


@WD Nobody in the town had said much,
K2AyWA because the community small and
IHoA compact that the tatter could easily
G10S have been down. The HlSdale folk
possessed of the careless daring
of their city cousins.
Bartons acquaintance in Hillsdale extended even to
the children and the dogs. He had sold there
week for twelve years; he lnconsderable factor
in trade All those twelve years he had had his finger
the pulse of the town. and knew its rhythm to the
minute Nothing unusual could happen or even start
futtering without his sensing It
Ira Walker the leading merchant of Hillsdae;
but he was one of her upright respected citizens and in
ten years had built up his general store to enviabe
trade. All these ten years Barton had known him and
sold him. In fact although Hillsdae never knew it,
it was Bartons house that had stocked him and started
him at the simple price of his name on note-and at
Bartons word &c. if Walker in trouble, it was up
to Barton to learn of it at and beyond doubt
To the vague word here and the guarded question
there that had convinced Barton of Walkers difficulties
the salesman had given no betraying heed He had
merely kept his mouth shut looked lncredulous, and
nut two and two together. And when he had finished
at the Milworkers Trading Companys store he went
directly to Ira Walkers.
Walker yarding off calico for two women when
he reached there; after his usual greeting he waited
in his usual way until they had gone Then he beckoned
Walker to the of the store out of the clerks hearing
Say, Ira old man, he said quietly, with hand that
slowly frightened on the others arm whats the trou-
bleo@
@Trouble!' Walkers look eloaked the surprise that
his tone failed to conceal. what troube!"
The two standing close together and Bar
tons gaze never wandered from Walker eyes
who's been talking to you, Frank about"
"Nobody's said it just that way old man. want
YOU to tell me-"
Walkers hand went to his mustache and pulled it
unsteadily.
aI'm not trying to butt in Barton explained
Silence, and then short, unpleasant laugh, were
Walkers preface. Frank, | am up against it-hard
too" he said uneasly. I'm just about all in"
A quick look of disappointment swept Barton's
face as he dropped into Walkers creaky desk chair.
The stQrekeeper with actual relief leaned back against
pile of boxes and thrust his hands deep his pockets
on |
with the same unpleasant mrthess laugh. "The
others will find it out for themselves pretty guess
handkerchief his forehead. dts just as said to
you, Frank I'm done. can't meet my bills not any.
where and when some OF them get onto it they'll
come down on me-and up I'll go.
Its the shutting down OF the steelworks that's put
all to the bad They've been trying for four months
to get together on wage scale The rolling mill
men won't agree to the old scale and the won't
accept a new one-and l get it in the neck They re
trying arbitrate it. and they don't there
be strike all up and down the valley, and half OF Hills
dale will go bust.
you see Frank most of my trade is with the mill
hands, and I've got to accounts with them: all
have to- When the Vulcan people shut down the mills
and threw the out my customers here for
things just the same, although they couldn't pay
red cent suppose it was bum business. but let them
keep charging things, because doped it out that the
mills would start up again in few weeks and could
stand the gaf that long. Anyhow, couldn't be rotten
and refuse to sell them anything more Last month
did begin cutting them down a little; but it was too
late: they'd got into me for too much. But don't
blame Them blame myself. I'm four thousand dollars
in the hole and everything I've got in the world isn't
worth half that.
"And there you arel Now you know it ALL He flung
out his hands and let them fall YEARLY to his sides. Il
wanted to tell you all this when you in here last
week but didn't get chance. Anyhow, it's hard to
tell fellow your bust. But you've always been So
well, I'm glad I've got it off my chest at last"
PARTON remained silent moment, his attention
- apparently concentrated the letter opener with
which he slowly tapped the desk Then, You're in bad,
Ira Anybody squeezing you?' He looked up sharply.
well, they're all asking about their bills. The
Ut Materfnrd cont