Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-11-28
The BEAR
By MARY E. TAYLOR.

manager, returned to the office after
his year of service with the soldiers
Of Uncle Sam he began Immediately
to put the business on new efficiency
basis. His military training had
taught him that for success in any
branch Of modern life organization
and hard work are essential.
He shook hands all around and had
a friendly word for all, but his old
CHEEKY laugh was replaced by tight
Tipped smile and his merry gray eyes
had a new, cold CLEAN. He was pleas
ant enough but strangely brusque and
businesslike. He told the Office force
that he was glad to be back with them
and that now he was going to try to
speed up the business. He left them
shortly and they stared at each other
in amazement. This was not the Tom
Bradley that they used to know. His
army life had affected him very vital
~, it seemed.
Almost Immediately he sent for
Jiggs, the Office boy. Just what was
said was never divulged, but it must
have been to the point, for when Jiggs
returned to his post his face was al
most as red as his hair and he began
to reform his young life forthwith.
"He thinks he's still in the army, I
guess" he told his idol, Miss Hartly,
as he passed her desk.
Then Jenkins, the Office head, re-
ceived a summons to come to the pri-
vate Office. That worthy was talking
baseball prospects with some Of his
cronies at the time and was very leis-
urely in responding. He returned in
about five minutes. His friends were
still talking baseball.
whats up, Jim?" asked one Of
them.
"Gh-r-rr-r," Jenkins growled. "Get
busy quick ~ The interview evident
ly had not been over-pleasant.
Charlie Ryder, the firms star sales
man, was in town, and unwisely
dropped in to see his old pal, Brad
ley. His assurance and nonchalance
received a severe jolt by the chilly
reception he was accorded. And when
Bradley unearthed Charles rather
slim sales report of the preceding
month and told him to hustle and
either look for new business or new
Job Charlie almost collapsed with sur
prise. He did not stay long. He
stopped in the outer Office just long
enough to- christen the boss "the
Bear"
All was strained industry. Pens
scratched busily. Typewriters clicked
as they had never clicked before
Bradley's new personality pervaded
the place. Even Jiggs, the office boy,
was doing something useful. Behind
the protecting walls Of his sanctum
the general manager was laughing ST.
lently, but very heartily. :.
The buzzer on Marion Hartly's desk
suddenly warned her that her turn
had come. Every one looked at her
pityingly and Jiggs began to murmur
sundry dire threats. Marion had
been Bradleys private secretary for
now with old conditions resumed she
was to continue her work with him.
She used to look forward to her work
he was always so courteous and
thoughtful; but now that he was so
different, she almost dreaded it. New
ertheless, she took her note book and
pencil, and hurried to the private Of
fee. Her heart was beating strangely.
"Sit down-ah-Miss Hartly," Brad
Ny said shortly as she entered the
room. How he had changed! Before
she had always been marion" to
him.
II want you to send an advertise
ment to all the evening papers, for a
stenographer, for secretarial work.
She must be accurate, faithful, and so
forth and must have good references.
Sand after this week." he contin-
ued seriously, 1--WE will not need your
services here. 1t is my aim to set a
high standard Of efficiency, and" but
Marion did not hear the rest.
She could not understand. She
knew that her work had always been
of a high order. What could have
happened? She did not look at him,
but bowed and rose to leave.
"Wait, Marion!"
She stopped and looked up, for that
was the voice of Tom Bradley Of old.
Don't you understand Marion?' he
said, coming nearer to her. Don't
you understand how I have missed
you while have been away? I never
realized until I left here how much
you meant to my life. And now I
need you and want you more than
ever-not here in the Office, but in
home of yours and mine."
Marion smiled obviously. "But I
thought was discharged" she said.
"No, Marion, DEAR" he replied.
"You are not discharged You
have permanent position" He put
his arms out to her.
"You big bear" she said, but she
seemed content.
Avoid the PessimIst.