Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-10-10
The First Assistant Cashier
By Kenneth Carlyle Beatson, in L. A. Times

S'' "uS ~ Woo peoJ W Bet Inem oul
as quickly as possible,
For several moments Gertie silently
studied the carpet; then shc sullenly
looked up with bright smile,
~ see, father" she said; "and III
marry Mr.. Quigley, of course, That Z
little enough thing to do for a father
who's done 80 much for me-"
you'll 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 I
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. Gertle took
up the card on the tray and glanced
at it.
"It's Tommy Travis" she said, look.
ing up--and Jones saw a little path of
red como 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 90; college athlete
by his looks, but actually a book keep.
or. Ho came Of very arlstocratic,
very highly respected, very poor fam.
lily. Eugenically, he was an ideal son.
in.law for anyonej financially, he was
not.
Jones did not stay long in the parlor,
but quickly took himself off to his
club. Hc did not stay long at tho club,
for ho found cards, companions and
billiards all equally depressing. Leav.
ing tho club, he walked slowly up the
street, not knowing or caring whore
he was going And presently he found
himself in front Of the Boardstown Ma
tonal Bank.
lIo stood there on the sidewalk n
moment, gazing at tho heavy plate. glass
windows. An automobile whirled around
tho corner and lbs headlight foil full
upon the window Just before him,
lighting up plainly the interior Of the
bank. Jones caught n glimpse OF his
own desk; and then, giving way to m
odd fancy, he walked around 10 the
rear entrance and raped sharply throo
times After moment the night watch.
man opened Tho door. He lot Jones in
without question; II was not unusual
for Jones 10 come back to his office at
night. Few first assistants can do all |
tho work thoy are required to do in
their regular working hours
Straight TO his desk went Jones.
There, still guided merely by fancy no
got up on his high stool and sat look
ing out through his window, just az he
did when n line Of people stood there.
He remembered tho first time he had !
Seen the inside Of the bank. Then ho
had stood in that limo Of people, wait.
ing TO have his first salary check
cashed. What wonderful thing that
bit Of paper had seemcdl In imagina.
tion he pictured his life from that day
on. Now ho was standing tremblngly
before Major Black, then preeidcnt Of
tho bank, asking Tor n position. Now
he was working as a clcrk--worlting
furiously that he might gain notice and
Now he was again
standing before Major Black, blushina
al the othcr's words Of commendation
and hearing that no was to bo made
an assistant teller Now he was ON
the bank steps, facing surging, sullon
mob OF men and women, pleading with |
thcm, begging them not TO bring ruin
on themselves and the bank by Dc.
their deposits. Az first II was
like trying TO beat down fortress
with pebbles, and his words brought
forth only sneers aud cat.calls. Gradu.
ally, though, the sueers disappeared and |
the cat.calls grew less frequent. llis
swolled. Ho talked on furi.
ously and desperately Presently a few
began TO turn shamefaccdly away and |
the rest, shecplite began 20 follow
Now Major Black was sohbing out his
l1,nutt r,I,aaat t.iti.n hl.. Nhal 4. IA l