The Washington herald., 1914-06-21

some assistance as a guide IL you gave
me place beside you"
"CertainIy-a very good idea. Jump
aboard, Perkins"
Perkins never jumped. never ran, never
for a moment lost the dignity Of self
respecting person. He took his place be-
side the chauffeur almost apologetieally.
Although Billy had never met any one
quite resembling his uncle, he had met
thousands who duplicated Perkins; but
| Iers, footmen, and whatnot, and on ec-
casion had tipped them generously. At
that time he had been the man with the
money. According to the Constitution
of the United States, Upper and tipped
were free and equal. He had never be-
fore given the matter any thought. but
such a theory put into practice would
have seemed laughably absurd. The cold
anger that thrilled through him caused
his fingers nervousiy to clutch the steer
ing wheel. Here be was placed cheek By
jowl with a menial!
Bnly's fits Of temper, If sharp. were
short
'T am a snob," he said to himself. The
man beside me is as good as I am; bet
ter, indeed, for he knows his servile trade
down to the ground while have q good
deal to learn, I guess"
As though suiting action to this
thought, Perkins dismounted, and exact
ly at the proper moment opened the door
of the car, so that the old gentleman. who
had been approaching slowly, stepped in
side without pausing for an instant in
his easy walk. Then he deftly placed .
light rug over his masters knees.
ITO the factory first, Perkins-- said Mr..
Duplane. very gently, then to Harmon
& spindler's: next to the Speeding Auto
mobile Works, AND after that I'll tell
you where to 60"
Yes, SIR" said Perkins deferentislly.
GOOD morning. william Andrew" said
his uncle. speaking louder.
Billy turned In his seat.
Good morning. sir" he replied. bring
ing up his forehnEer to the rim OF his
/ motoring cap.
When the young man faced the wheel
again. he found that Perkins had noise
lessly taken his place beside him The
chauffeur pressed the button Of the self
starter, deftly engaged the clutch. and
/ the car moved OF with gentle accelera-
ton.
Arriving at the great mandatory of
the shoe company, Mr.. Duplane got down
and entered the ONCE.
'T. understood" said Billy to Peri1inS
that my uncle had retired from the boot
business"
Yes. sir; believe he has. but think
he still owns a number of shares"
Does he come here every day."
"oh. no. sir. Perhaps three days .
week"
Presently Mr.. Duplane emerged. es-
corted by the manager. A fine type of
man, Billy thought and somehow he
came to the quick conclusion that this
man was on to his job.
The boot factory was the only place
where the owner left the car. At the 9TH
er establishments he sent Perkins to
bring out the man in charge. Billy could
not help noticing with what respect Mr..
Duplane was invariably regarded.
Their last stopping place was alongside
the wide platform fronting the works Of
the Speeding Automobile Company. Billy
had been practicing the most difficult part
of the duties which fall to q chauffeur;
the hardest, at least, to a young man Of
William Andrews temperament. This
was to keep rigidly STILL bolt upright.
to whom the affairs OF this world are OF
no concern.
But now the impeccability of the ideal
chauffeur was sorely tried. The platform
before the motor works was little more
than double the width Of the sidewalk,
and gave standing room to q couple OF
chassis without inconveniencing the pas
sers-by. One was evidently intended,
when finished, to be two-seated runa-
bout; the other would be an ordinary
sized family car. Billy could not remain
immobile with such temptation at hand.
He had to turn his head, while his expert
/ eyes ran oyer the metal framework, esti-
mating, criticising.
/ While he was thus engaged. Perkins re-
turned, having brought out Of the inter
Tor ONCE keen-eyed. hatchet-faced man
who approached Mr.. Duplane.
Perkins got up beside the chauffeur
once more and once more Billy endeay-
ored to pattern his attitude on the others
passivity.
How do you do. Mr.. Duplane?' he
heard the Speeding man say, and his un-
Gle, acknowledging the saiutation. added.