The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-10-08
The First Assistant Cashier
By Kenneth Carlyle Beatson, in I. A. Times

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For several moments Gertie silently
studied the carpet; then she sullenly
looked up with bright smile.
81 see, father" she said; "and I'll
marry Mr.. Quigley, of course. That IS
little enough thing to do for father
who's done so much for me-"
"You Il marry him if you love him,
and not otherwise" he said decisively.
81 haven't told you this to influence
you. I've told it to you because I've
never been able to lie to you. If l
thought you had married man for my
sake whom you did not love, I could
not live" And the manner in which
he said this last would have convinced
any jury in the world that he was tell.
ing the truth.
Just then. the maid came into the
room, tray in her hand. Gertie took
up the card on the tray and glanced
at it.
cts Tommy Travis" she said, look
ing up-and Jones saw little path of
red come into the cheek that was
turned toward him. "Tell him we II be
right in, Mary
A moment later they went into the
parlor to greet the visitor. Travis was
tall, tanned, and %; college athlete
by his looks, but actually a book keep.
er. He came of very aristocratic,
very highly respected, very poor fam
lily. Eugenically, he was an ideal SON.
in-law for anyone; financially, he was
not.
Jones did not stay long in the parlor,
but quickly took himself off to his
club. He did not stay long at the club,
for he found cards, companions and
billiards all equally depressing. Leav-
ing the club, he walked slowly up the
street, not knowing or caring where
he was going And presently he found
himself in front of the Beardstown Ma.
tional Bank.
He stood there on the sidewalk
moment, gazing at the heavy plate glass
windows. An automobile whirled around
the corner, and its headlight fell full
upon the window Just before him,
lighting up plainly the interior of the
bank. Jones caught a glimpse Of his
own desk; and then, giving way to an
odd fancy, he walked around to the
rear entrance and raped sharply three
times. After a moment the night watch
man opened the door. He let Jones in
without question; it was not unusual
for Jones to come back to his office at
night Few first assistants can do all
tho work they are required to do in
their regular working hours.
Straight to his desk went Jones'
There, still guided merely by fancy, he
got up on his high stool and sat look
ing out through his window, just as he
did when line of people stood there
He remembered the first time he had
seen the inside of the bank. Then he
had stood in that line of people, wait
ing to have his first salary check
cashed. What wonderful thing that
bit of paper had seemed! In imagina-
tion he pictured his life from that day
on. Now he was standing tremblingly
before Major Black, then president of
the bank, asking for position. Now
he was working as clerk-working
furiously that he might gain notice and
advancement. Now he was again
standing before Major Black, blushing
at the others words Of commentator
and hearing that he was to be made
an assistant teller. Now he was on
the bank steps, facing surging, sullen
mob of men and women, pleading with
them, begging them not to bring ruin
on themselves and the bank by de-
manding their deposits. At first it was
like trying to beat down a fortress
with pebbles, and his words brought
forth only sneers and cat-calls. Gradu-
ally, though, the sneers disappeared and
the cat-calls grew less frequent. His
enthusiasm swelled. He talked on furi-
ously and desperately. Presently few
began to turn shamefacedly away, and
the rest, sheep-like, began to follow.
Now Major Black was sobbing out his
thankfulness; telling him that he had
saved the bank, and that the bank