The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-08
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
AQuitter.
BY HENRY b. MoREHousE.

Copyright 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
Well, You say you can't there isn't
use OF talking any more about It. The
shape the work Is In now, don't sup.
pose you would mind II left tonight,
would you?
Why, no Joe; II you wish TO quit
tonight. its all right. You can arrange
to go any time you like. But I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. to lose you and I'm sorry i
can't pay you more money, but I've
told you how things stand. Have you
made any plans?
No; none whatever.
Well, II you ever want to come back
to work for me I'd be glad to have you.
You're agood man and think you
are worth more than j would be able
to pay you here, Ilwish you luck.
Thanks. said Joe, I'll a8not forget
what you said. j
The men shook hands and Joe left
the office.
He bought an evening paper and
climbed the stairs Of the elevated.
Seated in the train, he began to look
through the Help Wanted columns
then turned back page or; two and
listlessly began to read short story.
It was the story of a man of As, tired
Of the city and broke, who had left
town one day, and after travelling
many miles had hired out as a farm
hand, and In a short time rented a
farm. married, made money and learn
ed to despise the city and all its works
In the happiness and contentment Of
the life he was living.
Joe folded the paper and looked
about him in the train.
What weary looking throng sur
rounded him, packed as closely as
they could sit or stand! It was the
same sort Of crowd he had travelled
with always. but he looked at 1t with
new interest, and what he saw gave
him an idea, hazy. indefinite, but the
more he thought of 1t the more 1t grew
to have substance in his mind.
The bell rang and Marion ran to the
door, fastening cuff button in fresh
waist as she went. Marion was a
stenographer downtown, working for
q boss who suited his convenience
about debating his letters; so quite
often, as happened tonight, she was
late reaching home and had barely
time to finish cold dinner after the
rest Of the family and hastily change
her dress.
Joe had telephoned her few days
before that he wanted to see her that
evening. This was nothing unusual.
for he had been coming to see her
once or twice week for long time,
but this time he had said he had some.
thing important to tell her.
Although he never had said SO, Ma.
rion thought she had pretty clear
idea of what his feelings were toward
her. Any woman can tell that about
man.
Instead Of Joe at the door, as she
expected, she met messenger boy
who handed her q note. Opening 1t
in the hall she read:
Dear Marion: decided few mo-
ments ago not to come to see you, but
thought / would rather write. l am
going to chuck it-leaving town to.
night at eleven. I haven't any clear
notion OF where I am going or what
| am going to do. only know for Ger.
tain that must get away. have had
hopes for many months-hopes OF
which l dare not tell-but 1t isn't any
use. I've worked three years on this
job and I'm not getting anywhere. l
hardly make enough to support my.
self, and when I asked the boss for a
raise he wanted to know why he should
pay me more when he could get any
number Of men to work for what get.
Besides, he said, the business wouldn't
warrant It. Several weeks ago, dis.
tant relative died and found had
been left an income Of just one dollar
day. l resigned my position yester.
day and am taking train for some
place In the woods up north. ! wanted
to say goodbye to you, but / Will let
this be my boodbye.
Marion sat long time with the let
ter In her lap beneath her folded
hands. Injured to disappointment as
she was through the many that had
come into her life, she felt this to be
the hardest she had ever known. She
had not known until now how much
she cared or what hopes and dreams
had been hers for many months. Joe
evidently considered himself failure
Ia quitter-and was willing to &C.
knowledge 1t even to her. His good.
bye he seemed to mean should be final
expressing no wish to see or hear
from her again.
Weary from her day in the office
and from It's disappointing ending, she
sought her bed.
Joe pushed up the shade in his berth
in the early morning light and looked
out on world Of white. Deep forests
lined the track and the trees speeding
by we're covered with wet snow that
gave them the appearance Of great
white umbrellas. As he lay in his
berth watching the moving landscape,
he heard the porter say through the
curtain: Your stations next, sab. Due
In forty minutes.
when Joe had purchased his ticket
the night before he had told the agent
he wished to go to some small place
up in tho woods, he did not care where.
He got into his clothes and prepared
to leave the train.
Aftar a hreakfasf In the 0ne hotel in