Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-04-02


once knew with blue-eyed girl that's
found Il heaven-if there is one"
Old Zeke arose and went to his
desk. He sat down there smoking
violently. Then he got up and paced
the floor, his footballs making no
sound.
"Young man." he said huskily at
the end of five minutes, you've re-
called things to me that I'm not
sorry to have recalled-tonight. Only
I'm left in a sort of soft condi-
ton to talk business. Suppose, young
man, that you come back and see me
"Talk business, see you, tomorrow
afternoon
eyes, tomorrow afternoon. I'm a
little bit upset-after all that's hap
pened today-to attempt to fix any
thing up with you just now. But"
Jacks face went white. The
breath left his lungs.
elk anything up with me-" he
whispered. "You don't mean that
you'll"
81 don't give damn about your
measly little pasture mud-patch but
a man ballasted with six growing
boys and a faithful woman who'll
take five thousand dollars and put it
into paying up debts that a bank
ruptcy court says haven't got to be
paid, is wasting his life in a country
printing office. l only wish to God
l had dozen such chaps in some of
my companies. / can use 'em right
this minute-and pay 'em five thous-
and Il year for their-their-unim
peachablc honesty. I've only heard
Of one other case like this; it was
an Illinois country storekeeper who
walked several miles through the
rain to return some change on which
he'd made Il mistake. / believe some
folks made him President of the
country through quite a trying SPELL
The world is starving for that kind Of
men. You come back tomorrow,
young man. Pm going to make you
Il proposition"
"But Mr.. Ezekial," Jack began af-
ter his first emotion had passed,
"-the money in that ochre bed"
ITO hell with the small change in
that ochre bed! I'll pay you three
thousand dollars q year commencing
next Monday morning to go to New
York, take place in a certain office
and leaven bunch of crooks who
think they're smart enough to take
away my eyetceth without Old Zeke
knowing. That is, providing what
you have told me tonight stands in
"Mr. Ezekial, u
"You take my advice and 60 home
and sleep from now until tomorrow
afternoon. Have your wife soak your
feet in mustard water and put you
to bed with a dose of castor oil
goose-grease on your chest and an old
stocking round your neck. Come
and see me around toward four o.
clock. I've got place for a chap
like yourself and in due time you'll
why. Now"
A soft tapping at the closed door
Interrupted him. The plain-faced,
sweet-tempered, democratic daughter
Martha looked in.
as Mrs. Purses husband here?"
she asked. awe were passing through
the hall and we thought we heard his
voice."
"Yes, roared old Zeke impatiently,
'and if Mrs. Purse is out there, tell
her to come in. / want to see the
wife of man in debt five thousand
dollars worth who'd spend her leg |
acy to get him out!"
Mary came in wonderingly, caught
sight of Jacks bedraggled appear
lnce and haggard face.
"What has happened?" she
demanded frightenedly.
"I've just made your man an offer
to 60 to work for me in a place
where ] can count on his adamantine
Would you 60 with him
and live in New York?'
"I'd live anywhere that means
Jacks success"
Old Zeke was suddenly softened.
"You are a good girl" he said.
Take your husband h,me, Mrs.
Purse. He's ill. Get him on his
feet again and then send him around
10 see me. Well fix this thing up
50 he doesn't need to worry over his
future. l know what six growing
boys can do to a man to keep him
1ustling, loyal, on the straight track"
"Mr. Ezekial," began Jack, 81
lon't know how to"
"You're a sick man, young fellow.
10 homew
Jack suffered himself to he aided
Town the stairs. The servant helped
;uck him into the buggy behind Mon
lay Washing. Old Zeke and his
laughter waved them goodbye from
he steps and Timothy Bailey who
lad been waiting for just such a
,ataclyptic proceeding from a dis
ant corner, suddenly thrashed his old
White horse into fury and tore for
he distant village to spread the
,pochal news.
Then the Purses drove home.
Mary" choked the husband, "-
lights breaking at last! He made me
IN offer of THREE THOUSAND
DOLLARS a year to go to New York