The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-10
A COMBINATION AFFAIR
BY JOHN EDGERToN.

At IL o'clock John Jennings laid
down his pen, got down from his high
stool, and went quietly toward the Of
fee Of Mr.. Campion. the new manager.
He knocked timidly at the door.
"Come I'M" shouted Campion. "Oh,
it's you, Jennings?"
Yes, sir" stammered Jennings.
looking at Campion with courage born
of desperation. "Mr. Campion, want
to ask If the firm couldn't let me have
. little more than hundred after this
month. I've been here 20 years. sir,
and it's eight years since had my last
increase"
"You see, sir" said Jennings, my
wife has been ordered away for two or
three months and-and It's pretty
hard to keep things going on $25 q
week."
"Sit down. jennings" said Campion.
He found what he meant to say unac-
countably difficult, and for that reason
he began to buster. Jennings, have
been thinking about you for some
time" he said. I'VE can't raise you.
In fact, it was my intention to ask you
to resign at the end of the month"
Jennings. struck dumb by the blow.
only looked appealingly at Campion.
you'll have to go at the end of the
month";" said Campion. Well give
you a months salary ahead. And no
doubt you'll fall into another position
very soon-one more suited to you
ThatIl be all, Jennings"
Utterly crushed, Jennings crept
back to his stool. His mind whirled
chaos seemed to have opened beneath
his feet. To lose his position, after 20
years service, at forty-three! What
could he do? It was the most terrible
thing that had ever happened to him.
He said nothing to his wife. Mary
and he never discussed Office affairs
The days flew by. Jennings had
barely a week at the Office where he
had spent the better part OF his work.
ing years. And as he sat on his stool
thoughts came into his mind that he
had never known BIZ fore.
The safe in Campion's office was an
old one. On Saturday nights it con
tanned never less than five or six thou.
sand dollars, which came in during
the afternoon, after banking hours
1t would be the simplest matter to
slip the key Of Campion's Office from
its hook in the night watchman's little
Office. open the safe with the old com
bination, and retire with his booty
The idea became an obsession and he
resolved to put 1t into execution on
the last Saturday Of the month.
Everything favored his plan. Cam
pion had gone away into the country
At six O'Clock Jennings went out
among the other bookkeepers and
clerks. but. as soon as the last had de-
parted. he turned and made his way
back. secreting himself in a corner oil
the stenographers' room, where half
blind old Sykes would never see him
Midnight arrived before he crept Out
toward the watchman's office. The
key to Campion's room hung by the
door. Old Sykes would sit, dreaming
Of the past, behind q half-partition OF
wood, for hours at q time. In his
stockinged feet Jennings crept up. alb
stracted the key and fed.
He put on his boots again and crept
cautiously toward Campion's Office. He
thought he heard a slight noise with
in. and hesitated, but 1t was not re
peated. and, cautiously turning the
key in the door. Jennings entered.
A man in a black mask was Kneeline
in front of the safe, counting a pile OF
bills.
At the sight Jennings scheme OF
theft was all forgotten. He remem
bered only his long service with the
firm. his watchdog trust and obedi
ence. And this burglar was about to
victimize them.
With q shout Jennings leaped al
the fellow, who, taken OF his guard
staggered back under the other mans
impetus. Then, seeing that Jennings
was unarmed. he sprang at him In
turn. welding q formidable iron
Jimmy. with which he must have pried
open the window that gave on the IN.
terror yard.
Jennings evaded the blow and
caught the fellows arm. They wrestled
to and fro. Jennings calling for help
loudly. His strength was outclassed
by that Of the other. for 20 years OF
ONCE work does not make for mus.
cularity. He knew that once he lost
his hold on the burglars arm the
Jimmy would descend.
The burglar fought In silence. but in
desperation, too. Jennings heard the
quick tramp Of old Sykes feet outside
He put forth all his strength to throw
the other TO- the floor But he. lost his