News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-12-29
CHAPTER XII.
A Visit From Father.

~ URlNG this trying month old Cy-
ID rus Martin. the soap king, had
nue.. or in his swivel chair at his
office. and wondered how things were
going with the boy anyway. From
such information as reached him, he
was not so encouraged as he would
have liked to be-, A month was not
long enough to tell, of course, in the
normal course of things, but that fool
advertising made another matter of it.
Those huge bi,lhoards and electric signs
and balloons and sandwich men-piffie
all of it, but Martin knew what such
things cost, and was sure that Rod
ney's company could not possibly stand
it. He was worried. And he was an
noyed too. These abominable sand
witch men; he had had one set of them
arrested that afternoon on the avenue.
He couldn't stand it, People might
know who were in this ridiculous 10
Soap company, and he should be we'll
laughed at.
Another and contradictory thing was
the rumOr he had heard downtown yes
terday that the Andover Soap people
were backing Rodney's company, go
ing to build n plant for them. In fact,
putting one thing and another together,
he decided he would drop down and
give the boy call at his office. 1t
wouldn't be bad to see him again, and
Mary Grayson too. So he presented
himself at the new soap company's Of
flee, on Broadway, and was kept wait
ing for his pains. A Miss Burke took
in his name, and he guessed that it
caused some excitement, for he could
hear Rodney's voice and another chat
ting inside while he cooled his heels.
When he was at last usheTed in the
place looked like a. real office, on the
whole, and there at desk sat Rodney,
talking through the telephone. His ia
Their caught something%bo mot con.
sidering it," and mot having any stock
for sale"-'quite out of the question:"
ct cetera, ct cetera, as he took chair.
"Well well,' thought Mr.. Martin,
rather pleased and proud. whats
this?'
Rodney in moment dropped the tele-
phone and espied his father.
"Why, hello. father!" he greeted him
geHially.
"Hello. son. said Mr.. Martin. He
observed with astonishment that Rod
ney was very busy filing papers, open
ing and closing drawers and that every
now and then he signed a typewriter
letter viciously with rubber stamp.
"Sit down, won't you?" said Rodney
presently. "I'll be with you in just a
moment"
'Thanks,' said his father dryly.
"Have a cigarT said Rodney, hand
ing the old gentleman box in an alb |
sentminded way.
Thanks" said Mr.. Martin, biting off |
the end and lighting it at the match !
which Rodney held for him. Rodney !
lighted one too.
surprised to see me, L suppose?" /
said his father presently.
Not a bit" said Rodney, flourishing
a contract and signing it. Mr.. Martin
had some curiosity to see what it
could be, this thing which really look
ed like a contract, but his son turned it
upside down and blotted it ostenta-
tiously on his desk pad.
There, that's DONE" he added
"Now, father. what can do for your
well, my boy" said Mr. Martin, 81
Just dropped in for social call. The
fact is I've rather missed you"
ave missed you. too. father" said
Rodney.
"Thougbt Ia have a look in and find
out how things were going" said Mr.