River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-09-05
TAKING A
CHANCE
I'D
By LINCOLN ROTHBLUM
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)


pered warning Mr.. Joseph O. Hattis-
bury, heayy-footed and always sober,
entered the sanctum OF his private Of
fee.
The 60" it must be stated, had
been added to his name coincident
with his appointment to the vacant
presidency Of the Consolidated Metals
corporation, marking a very gradual
rise from his lowly beginning as err
rand boy for this same business inSti-
tuition some 40 years back. There was
about as much logic to his belief that
the 90" which stood for nothing add
ed a unique dignity to his name, as for
his idea, assimilated through the
course of his career, that heavy-fOOted
walking was an indication of "dom-
inant personality" OF course, Mr.. Jo-
seph @. Hattisbury would not have
characterized it so, principally for
the reason that he seldom knew the
meaning of or how to spell words of
greater than monosyllabic length.
AS the door, labeled in letters Of
warning size Private" banged shut
small, thinnish fellow, with deep-set
eyes, looked up from the large sheet
over which he was bent, and retriev-
ing the lighted cigarette from his
pocket, whistled relievedly. His thin
ming hair and the telltale crows feet
about the eyes seemed to vie oddly
with his boyish mannerisms.
eff it hadn't been for your 'jiggers,'
Helen, I'd We been caught that time
sure"
Helen rested her hands, with their
network of blue-veined ridges, on the
keys of her comptometer. Helen could
no longer be called exactly young, but
an indeinable happy turn to her lips
reflected never-absent sense of
humor. She was conservatively and
economically dressed in dark serge
skirt which eloquently testified by it's
sheen it's fourth year Of continuous
service. Black, low-heeled shoes and
white lawn waist completed the bust
nesslike severity of her costume, re-
lieved only by a small amethyst brooch
fastened to the throat.
Fright you are, Rodney" she re-
piled, but her voice did not have it's
usual buoyancy. The man noticed it.
"What's the matter, old scout?" he
asked consolingly, getting up from his
chair and proffering her bag of cara
mels. She refused the cOnfection.
''Tired, Helen?''
eyes, I am-tired to think that
you've got to hide cigarette in your
pocket as if you were little kid, and
tired of that" pointing contemptuous-
ly to the door marked "Private," sold
maid teacher"
Rodney smiled. 'Let up on the old
maids, Helen. You're living in glass
house all your own"
ooh, but I'm woman and it makes
no difference if push the keys Of this
comptometer forever. But you're sup
posed to be a man and make a name
for yourself in this world. Does the
prospect of smoking when it pleaSes
the other fellow appeal to yod for the
rest of your life?'
Rodney stood silent This was
new Helen.
'Look here, Helen, we've been work
ing together now for nearly ten years
right in this Office, and you've never
talked this way before. You know I've
never dared risk starting something
for fear I'd fail. So I've been content
to put up with the old man."
swell, you've got to take a chance
some time Shame, that for the Sc
curity of three meals day you've been
content to lodge in rut Don't fol-
low my example. Here I am well along
in the thirties, and still letting this
thing think for me-" and she gave the
comptometer vicious shove. "You
get out, Rodney, and take a chance.
A man at forty is still young these
days."
Helen smiled at the unusualness OF
their conversation and her new role
of adviser She couldn't help smil-
ing.
"Well, I'll tell you what he an
swered, as he clapped his hands to-
gether to seal the bargain, "you sug-
gest the venture, and I'll do it-or
bust"
Helen laughed out loud. ''Foolish,"
she said, without serious intent, Ego
buy a delicatessen."
Rodney's mouth closed with a snap.
"Jiggers, the bpss!'
And as Mr.. Joseph @. Hattisbury re-
entered the outer Office he found his
employees zealously performing those
duties for which he never let them for
get he paid them. He tramped noisily
over to Helen's desk. Despite her dis
like for him, she could never help but
feel that he treated her just little
more considerable that he did the 9TH
ers.
I'D like to see those totals, Miss
Bently," he said in stentorian tones,
and Helen shiyered as he leaned his
portly frame over her. He did not
seem to be paying much attention to
the figures as he nervously fingered his
watch charm. "Come into my office"