Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-06-26

hung up his hat and coat and put on
his office-coat he glanced over to
where his father sat, absorbed in his
morning mail.
Mr.. Thomas Ladd was an impor.
tant man in the shipyards. AS super
intendent of an extensive department
he knew as much about the inner
workings OF the yards as anybody on
the payroll. The company recog-
nized his value. Therefore, like a
precious dollhouse plant, he was en-
closed in glass.
He had room 10 himself, the
walls Of which were nearly all win.
dows. This enabled him to look at
will over the score OF clerks under
him. They were always beneath his
eye. incidentally they enjoyed the
privilege of gazing at him when they
needed stimulus to their ambition
His carpet was Royal Wilton; his
furniture was Rolden-oak, upholster.
ed in rich leather. His personal an.
pearance was as opulent as his sur.
roundings; he knew that this was
valuable business asset. So his skill.
fully tailored suit was of good ma.
terial and well brushed, with creases
in the trousers that were works OF
art. His linen was immaculate; his
hair was carefully parted and per.
fectly slick.
The demeanor of Mr.. Ladd in the
office was not to be measured by his
subservience to his wife at home. A,
the shipyards he was a different
man. There was an atmosphere OF
calm responsibility about him. His
dignity was almost chilling; he
spoke with sonorous and deliberate
impressiveness that had added a
thousand dollars year to his salary.
What ridiculous thing to sup.
pose that dad could be mixed up in
anything shady!" was Jacks reflec-
ton as he watched his father for
moment. why, he's the personifca-
ton of conservative business mani
He's as smart as he looks, too.
What's more, the company knows it,
or he wouldn't hold the position he
does. They'd be the first to find il
out if he wasn't absolutely straight"
Jack caught himself up hurriedly.
Gee! I'm actually discussing my
own father as if l didn't know him
as well as the shipyard officials.
Still, I'll ask him few questions at
lunch-time.'
Throughout the morning the
young man did his work with the
ease that comes of familiarity with
routine. He was SO thoroughly
master of his duties that he could
suffer himself to think about some.
thing else now and then. Every time
he did SO he glanced involuntarily
at his highly respectable progenitor
in the glass-case and became bewild.
cred.
IF l didn't know he was a good
amateur actor | might not even be-
lieve that of him. TO see him in his
private office giving orders and talk.
ing over the telephone, one might
think he hadn't spark of romance
IN him. You can't judge by appear
ances."
Then Jack kicked himself-in his
mind-for his unworthy misgivings
and plunged into his ledger. His
father loved the drama. Well, what
Of it? Surely that did not imply
tendency to burglary! He kicked
himself again-hguratively.
There was private restaurant in
the premises, for the use of officials
and employees only. 1t was the daily
custom of Jack Ladd and his father
to take luncheon together. The latter
always dropped his official reserve
over rhe meal, SO that the two were
lust father and son. But when Mr..
Ladd tenantcd his glass office he was
the superintendent, and behaved as
Instantly to Jack as toward any other
subordinate.
Hello, dad" was his sons greet.
ing as they met at their usual table.
How are you to-day?"
Very well. Jack-very, we'll. But,
oh. what tins had last night"
What was it all about, dad? Who
are those people next door to us?
Have you known them long?"
"Only few days" Then to the
girl waiter: I'm take some corned
beef and cabbage and cup of cof
fee" ,4tt. 4st.
Jack waited while his father gave
the order. When he had told the
girl he would take the same he re-
sumed the attack:
Only. few days, dad? Mother
doesn't suppose you ever saw them
before they moved in yesterday"
Pm glad of it, Your mother is
SO inclined to form hasty opinions
that do not wish her to find out
know these people" n,
"Who are they?" #
~ can't tell you, Jack. ! am bound
by solemn promise"
Who did you promise7" s,nr
"The man in %; the head Of the
family. II is important to him iha,