Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-11-12
AN HONEST MAN
BY n. FIELDING.

A-HAA-IksuA.AuA.A.e.k
copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper Union.)
George was a thief nj 2 o'clock in
the afternoon. Half an hour earlier
he had been merely an imprudent
young man who had neglected mat
ter of $25 borrowed by him from
"cash."
If his account had been turned over
to ANYBODY else but Williams the mat
ter might not appear so black, but
George had been promoted over Will
liams' head; the matter would go
straight to the supreme head of every
thing.
Even now. If he could borrow the
$25-but he had tried all his friends
in the office and it would not "be easy
to get out" Yet it must be done; the
alternative was criminal prosecution
sheer ruin.
George laid his hand upon the lid Of
his desk to pull it down. With or
without an excuse, he must go out and
find that money.
Just as he arose from his seat a
hand was laid upon his arm and he
turned to face Old Ben, the soft-fOoted
messenger, mysterious as demon of
Eastern fable, who did the will of the
supreme head of the establishment.
"Mr. Hartman wants to see you,"
said this STRENGTHENING.
II wonder If there is anything in
oInn or nf hn
to himself, as he walked toward Har-
riman's room; and then he remem-
bered what had happened to certain
young man who had done that very
thing. 1t seemed that the floor was
no longer on a level and he saw four
knobs on Harriman'S door, as he
stretched his hand to open it.
There was fat-topped desk as large
as dinner table in the middle of the
room, and at the opposite side of 1t sat
Hartman. His eyes smaller, his
nose was larger, his chin was fatter,
and his coloring was brighter red,
than ever before in Georges recOllec-
ton of him.
George had been in the great mans
presence Oftener, during the past year,
than any other minor employee In the
main Office. He was an object of envy
on that account. The idea of appear
ing before this man as thief was
thing to die of.
LANG" said Hartman, I'm going
to give you chance"
Georges brain made 500 rapid revo-
lutionS in his head.
"Ninety-nine clerks in q hundred"
Hartman continued, twill always be
clerks. / believe that you are the
hundredth man. You've been handling
some correspondence with our agents
under my direction and you have
shown a comprehension of the subject
that has made me think well of you"
George merely bowed. He could not
speak aloud. All his faculty Of Ian
guage was occupied in interior, sound
less cursing of himself for his incred-
ible folly.
"Our man Robbins, In Johnstown,"
Hartman proceeded, "has been having
trouble, as you know"
He paused, and In the interval, the
effort Of remembering who Robbins
was, cleared Georges mind.
Robbins is not the man for the
place." he said. "He doesn't seem to
know what he Is there for"
Hartman slapped the desk gently
with his fat hand.
NDrooicaly Caid ho. Hood %na% 10
why l am going to put you in his
Shoes"
The sweat started out suddenly in
the palms of Georges hands, and he
felt at the same time the sensation of
a cold grip on the back Of his neck,
"You will leave for Johnstown to-
night" said Hartman. "Here Is the
order superseding Robbins. You will
draw the same salary and get the same
commissions that he does. This is an
exceptional opportunity. No man gets
such chance as this twice in his life
time. You must prove yourself wor-
thy, and do 1t In q hurry"
He leaned over the desk and looked
earnestly at George, who, in that mo-
ment, would have given his right hand
to be an honest man.
Il expect you to crush competition
out there" continued Hartman. "That
fellow, Wellbrook, who is running an
Independent racket, must be done up.
l don't care how you do 1t, or what
1t costs. Lay him out. We want all
the business wherever we CO."
He laughed pleasantly, and George
tried to join him, but the thought of
Williams restrained his mirth. 1t was
dreadful to think that at the moment
when he was about to be trusted with
so important mission, the stigma of
dishonesty would be placed upon him.
Mr.. Williams wishes to see you,
SIR" said Old Ben, appearing suddenly.
Hartman nodded to George, who
was moving toward the door, and then
said to the messenger: "All right; I'll
see him.
Williams entered h,rriedly, and
started with surprise It sight of
George. The latter nodded coldly.
by the way, Williams" he said,
there's twenty-five dollars in an en-
velope in my desk that forgot to turn
over to you. TIL lay 1t out on your
table,"
He passed out. leaving Williams
standing with his mouth open, and his
eyes like two glass marbles.
To draw his money from the cashier
to arrange the amount for Williams
and to escape from the office, required
but little time.
George hurried home. bis heart light,
his mind full of plans for the ruin of
Wellbrook
"How pleased father will be-" he
said again and again. "Thank heaven
that go home to him this day an hon.
est manr
mo American Nav pofuce -