Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-06-04
UNPAID ACCOUNT |
By VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa
nar SYndicatel

was doing, making out accounts for
the month. She had made 1t prac-
tice to find something interesting In
all her work and as she typed each
statement she broke the monotony by
trying to draw a mind picture of each
person for whom she was making out
a bill. She stopped her machine as
she came to a familiar name on the
list-Mr. Lawrence Wright.
Hasn't this Lawrence Wright paid
his bill YETI" she asked Mr.. Arm
strong, the Office manager. His sub
scription is nearly three years In ar
rears, and | have billed him every
month for at least two years"
mo, he hasn't, and l don't see any
way of collecting it. We have sent a
collector there half dozen times, and
the last time he was nearly thrown
out. There is nothing for it but to keep
rendering the account. That's the way
with these young fellows with more
money than brains. Just try 1t your
self, Miss Walker" the head collector
flashed
81 will, and collect it, too, if Mr.
Armstrong will consent" she laughed,
delighted at being able to ruffie the
calm Of the collector
81 am willing" the manager con-
sented. You can start out now If
you like"
Ina had not been quite In earnest,
but she would not withdraw after
making the boast. She went back to
her typewriter and worked mechani-
cally until she finished the accounts,
and then unconcernedly put on her hat
and started out to collect the bill. On
the car she tried to remember how she
had pictured Mr.. Lawrence Wright,
but she had pictured him so often, and
each time differently. She would show
him that she could hold her own with
any man, and tell him just what she
thought of him If she didn't get a
check to cover the amount of the bill.
He lived in fashionable apartment
house. She envied him that, even
though he were fat and pompous. She
rang the bell at the door bearing his
name plate. The door opened and the
man before her was fat and pompous.
A second glance told her 1t wasn't Mr..
Wright; 1t was a butler in livery.
"What name?" asked the butler.
II am from Mr.. James," she said
after moments hesitation. 1t was a
bold step, but she felt it was necessary
to gain an entrance. After all she was
representing the president of the
Times indirectly.
The butler ushered her into the re.
ceptiOn room. She waited uneasily
her eyes taking in the room. 1t was
very tastefully arranged and decorat
ed. She hoped Wright would not ap.
pear in bathrobe-men in bathrobes
were one of her diversions. She was
examining a beautiful reproduction of
a masterpiece on the wall when q
slight sound told her some one else
was in the room. She tried to sink
back 10 her chair quickly, but realized
in tine it would be clumsy move
and Strengthened up to face a tall
handsome man. He could not help
seeing the surprised look on her face
but size knew he did not know it was
because she had pictured him as fat
and pompous; she was thankful he
didn't.
Odd you wish to see me?' he asked
pleasantly. His voice was in keeping
with his appearance.
Yes; | have small account here
for your Times subscription. 1t is JUS
fifteen dollars-for three years, in ar
rears, you know. l would not have
called, but we have mailed you bill
and we thought it likely you had let II
| slip your notice and would think us
careless if we did not remind you"
Hasn't this bill been paid?" he ex
claimed in true surprise. II will write
| you out check at once. This is JUS
another of the bills l find my secre
tary has neglected. For three years
have been leaving my affairs to him
and he has made muddle of them.
believe l could have done better my
| self"
Il am sure you could" Ina sale
earnestly. at Is mistake for a mar
of brains to leave his business fol
others to do. Goodness knows wha
harm an INSCRIPTIONS secretary cal
do to disinterested employer"
THANK you for calling me a man O.
brains," he smiled. 81 believe you ar,
right about the rest of 1t. That Gene.
from allowing another man to han6i,
your funds and open your mail.
don't believe l can trust another on,
to do these things again."
81 should say you couldn't. VIII.
don't you try woman secretary?
she suggested.
Il never thought of that. How woulc
you like the position?" he asked.
"Oh. wasn't thinking of myself,
she blushed.
Il know you weren't" he replied
But l think you would suit me-"
They were waiting at the office TO
Ina with the expectation of a gooC
laugh, but the laugh was on her side
The smile on her face told them tina
the minute she entered.
II collected the money" sh,
laughed, flourishing the check.
They gathered around her to hea
her experience, but she wasn't yer,
communicative.
He was fine man and 1t was tn
fault of dishonest secretary that h
didn't pay before" was all she woul,
say.
A full confession had to come whel
she resigned her position on Saturds,
| nil