The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-10
THEY FOUND OUT

the once GlinfreW seemed 10 regarl
him with an unfavorable eye, as di'
the others. Palester was a most OF
fensiye youngster. He had the qualit,
of freshness" in a marked degre'
and it was never an amusing fresh
ness" nor did it wear on with snub
bling. Delicate sarcasm, Of the sor
that Baskin prided himself upon. haC
not the slightest effect upon him; b,
was too dull-witted to understand II
Brutal candor, such as Densley waI
In the habit Of INDUCING in when irri
tated, only evoked abuse that was alb
solutely intolerable Yet after Pales
ter had been in the Office for three
weeks Glinfrew seemed to take a sud
den fancy to him and stood as a sort
OF buffer between him and the right
eous hostility OF the force
Palester was about nineteen years
of age. He had Just left college-ai
the suggestion OF the faculty, 1t was
understood. His father was wealthy
and 1t was through him that the boy
had been pitchforked into the office.
1t seemed likely that he would soon
be pitchforked out again. He put in
an appearance at all sorts of hours in
the mornings and not infrequently
sneaked out long before closing time.
Possibly 1t would have been lust as
well II he had stayed away altogether
and drawn his salary without spelling
the books. Old Bussey, whom Pales-
ter assisted" said most emphatically
that the firm would be ahead by such
an arrangement.
"oh. he's all right" said GIinfrew,
tolerantly. You find him little green
just now, but he'll catch on after
awhile"
mot in q thousand years." said Bus
sey, decidedly. He doesn't want tc.
He's an insulting young vagabond aud
he's worthless and vicious Called me
Buster, old cock the other day; that's
what he did, sir. l told him what /
thought Of his insolence and he
laughed in my face. I'm going to re-
port him to the firm. I've been here
for fifteen years and I'm not going to
put up with that sort of thing
Il wouldn't do that" demonstrated
Glinfrew. He's young, you know"
Then he should respect his elders"
I'll speak to him about It."
well, If you want to, Mr.. Glinfrew,"
said the old clerk, "but why you should
take his part is beyond me-"
Glinfrew took the first opportunity
to demonstrate with Palester concern
ing his conduct to his senior.
Rats said Palester. THE old lob
ster amt got any business around
where there's live people. An institu-
ton for the feeble-minded is where he
belongs. He's back number"
Perhaps he is a little oId-fash-
ioned," said Glinfrew, gently, "but
that's no reason why you shouldn't
treat him with more consideration,
Palester. He has the reputation of be-
ing one Of the best bookkeepers and
he's kind-hearted old gentleman, too.
The firm thinks highly of him"
Chimney, you make me tired" said
the amiable youth. Say! want to
touch you for ten-spot. The guv'nor's
shut down on me. you know. and all
l get is what this g.aft here brings in.
Dig up"
1T seems to me that ought to be
enough for spending money said Glin-
frew, pulling out his pocketbook,
nevertheless.
Twice or three times It seemed to
the fellows that Palester pretty nearly
reached the end of his rope with Glin-
frew. Once he brought an overdressed
friend into the office and dragged him
directly into Glinfrew's little private
room. Glinfrew, being assistant man
ager. has a private room of his own
and although he has nothing like q
case Of swelled head he stands on his
dignity pretty well.
Palester was seen through the glass
to approach Glinfrew's desk and he
was heard to say boisterously, Hello,
old stick-in-the-mud! Wake up and
shake hands with my chum, Harry
Boggs." Nobody heard what Glinfrew
said in response, but the interview did
not last long, and Mr.. Boggs' face was
red when he came out. Palester was
of course.
Another time Palester slapped Glin-
frew very violently on the back and a
CLEAN came into Glinfrew's eyes that
looked particularly ominoua. But he
only laughed uncomfortably and the
thing passed OF.
One morning carriage drove up to
the ONCE door and young woman got
out. She was young woman of per-
sonal attraction and very tastefully
dressed. She created quite a sensa-
tion when she came into the ONCE and
asked for Palester. Glinfrew happened
to see her and his face instantly
beamed with delight. She seemed
glad to see him, too.
Your brother is out Just now, Miss
Palester," said Glinfrew. Wont you
come in here and wait for him?" He
indicated his little office and the young
woman smiled quite radiantly upon
him as she passed In. She stayed as
much as fifteen minutes. and when she
came out Glinfrew accompanied her
to her carriage and stood talking to
her quite earnestly for as much as five
minutes more. His color was height
| ued when he returned and he went di.
rectly to his little room and shut him.
self in.
Baskin, Densley and old Bussey
looked at one another. Densley winked.
It's the only thing on the face of