The Topeka state journal., 1916-09-16
EVENING STORY
Getting the Old Mans Goat.
(By Dean Herrick.) }


hand listening to Archibald Flahavens
TRADE. Sometimes his fingers twitched,
but other than that he gave no sign
that the words were making any i'm
pressiorf
F'lahaven pounded his desk and his
apoplectic face took on an alarming
color. Anyway" he beloved, Il
want you to let Viola alone
So that was it. Eric had suspected
as much. 1t wasn't the number of
steel rails that had been scrapped aft
er all that was causing this tempest
In the general managers brain. That
was only an excuse for the outburst.
His hand clenched. then relaxed and
an amused smile curled the corners of
his lips. But instantly alive to
his position, he sobered again.
Flahaven sprang up. Laugh, blast
youi Wen see who'll laugh. Do you
think I'm going 10 have my daughter
waste her time on a day laborer?
know that black sheep Jim Truesdale,
who got you into the club, and be-
cause you happen to own dress coat
and can shuttle your feet you are an
eligible in society. Any fool can dance.
You know why L don't discharge you.
Because we're up against it for labor.
That's why 1 took you on in the first
place, with your experience, but If
catch you flirting with Viola again or
so much as looking at her I'll not only
discharge you, but blacklist you as
WELL
May I ask something, Mr.. Fla
haven?"
What is it ?" sn&rled the other.
than YOU think. I know appearances
are against me, coming here
stranger, but won't you investigate?
I'm not ashamed of my record and 1
wish you would lock it over. My fam
ily is honest and is well thought of
daie-hell tell You about me-
NO, / won't ask any one about you.
You are working in this mill--that's
enough for me-and I don't care
hang who you are. I've made plans
for my daughter and I won't have her
talked about in connection with
workman Now get out"'
"Rut. Mr. F1ahaven-"
Get out,"
You'll be sorry. I love Viola and
she loves mel" flashed the young man.
Get out.'' Almost mad with fury.
the other sprang for Eric. but the door
closed quietly and he was gone.
A notice to get his money and quit
reached his department almost as soon
as he did. "All right he said cheer
fully to the messenger. Say, Tim,
want to make dollar?"
Sure
Go and bet Patsy O'Brien that I'll
get the old mans goat in two weeks"
'Aw, go on"
DO as l tell you. Make it a hun
dred if you want. It's a sure thing
That night, as pre-arranged by tele-
phone, Viola met Eric at the gate of
her fathers premises
Hello, dearest girl he whispered
cheerfully, drawing her close.
iG toll 11af
They'll miss me from the veranda so
you'll have to hurry"
I'm going away. dear, but I'm COM
ing back before long. I've been dis
charged and I'm going to hunt more
work. But, tell me first, do you really
love me?''
.'Forever-and you know it, Erie
And you are willing to be poor and
pack lunches for me, and have me
come home black as a miner every
night ?"
1T will be a hard life, different
from this. No money, maids nor mo-
tors
But I'll be with you. Eric, and
I'll get used to it,
You are the very dearest girl in
the world. Now L must 60 Good
bye, sweetheart
Viola" said her father at break
fast. I've discharged that young up
impertinence.'
Father. you didn't do that" she
gasped.
Yes. did! He dared to tell me he
loved you, and that well, never
mind. I've discovered he has left town
and I'm satisfied. He just thought he'd
feather his nest by plucking me, but
he got left. l know his kind. Now
let's talk of something else and forget
him for good. Milly." addressing his
wife, 'I wish you would do some
celebrity her husband always demanded
in advance. Yes, Archibald
Give party,"
why, Arch
coaxing to do it for years But it's
business with me this time. Give
big one, bang up-go the limit. Rock
we'll, the president of the company,
telephoned that some of the bankers
who own the plant are coming. up
for couple of days. Have it theni''
"All right, Archibald. A dinner
dance will be just the thingi"
And Viola, make the best of your
opportunities"
s.Yes. father But poor Viola was
white and miserable.
Days passed, busy ones for every
body, wretched ones for Viola. One
afternoon the desk phone in Fla
haven's office rang. Rockwell asked
him to come to conference of Off
cials at the hotel.
F'lahaven went He was shown to
a room where chairs were arranged
around a big mahogany table, but
only one of which was occupied.
How do you do. Mr. F'lahavenc
Won't you sit down? We're both a
bit early, but the others will be in
soon-''
Eric Baileyi" choked the general
manager, aghast.
I'm glad you remember me,"
smiled Eric. Il didn't think 1 was
so important"
The other was speech1ess.
I've been thinking over a few
things. Mr.. Flahaven, and now that
we have a few minutes to ourselves