The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-01-06
The junior
Iilclt
By WALTER JOSEPH DELANEY

the Office window, trying to decide |
upon a brief vacation away from the !
dust and din Of the city. I had been |
IN practice for q year and had done |
moderately well in a money way. I !
turned from my idle survey OF the /
street as heard foOtstep in the hall |
outside. A lad Of about fourteen stood |
reading the inscription on my door:
"Robert Lane, Attorney at Law"
Eff you please, sir" he said, advanc-
ing timorousIy, 'are you Mr.. Laner
That's my name" replied, MOTTO
ing that the boy was very pale and
seemed laboring under some unusual
strain Of agitation.
s'Then I would like to ask your adj
vice. I have just been discharged
from employment. They accuse me OF
something never did-stealing. They
paid me and have ten dollars In my
pocket. How much of 1t would you
want to tell me what I am to dot"
His eyes were fearless, his attire
neat, his whole presentation that OF an
intelligent and honest youth. noted
how much he tried to control the quiv-
ering lip and maintain the open manh-
ness that seemed natural to him.
eve won't talk OF fee, my Lad, at
| this stage Of the case" I said. "What
| is the troublef"
Briefly he told me. He was Hal
Barton, and had been working for two
months In the wholesale jewelry estab-
| Nshment OF Morse & Co. For some
| time past it was current talk that the
house was missing various articles
| from their stock. They had made
| search Of the desks OF the various en-
| ployees. In his own, they claimed.
! they had found watch and chain
| done up In q handkerchief.
II never saw It before, and the hand
| kerchief was not mine," explained the
lad. "The manager was cross and OBJ
stinate. He simply told me to draw
| my pay and leave. I think It very un-
| just. It spoils my chances OF other
work, and If my sister Inez doubts my
innocence 1t will break my heart.
| Won't you help me with your advicer'
rather greeted this sensational
break upon my loneliness rs panacea
for ennui and proceeded promptly to
interrogate my youthful client. At the
end of half an hour I was fully con-
WINGED that Hal Barton was just what
he purported to be and a victim Of un-
toward circumstances. He was averse
to going home with his doleful story.
He and his sister, IneZ, were orphans,
both working for a living, ard I dis
cerned that the lad had been brought
ND In the right way. determined on
immediate action. 7 went promptly to
the store OF Morse & Go. and was soon
closeted with the manager.
The latter admitted that he had
acted rather harshIy with Hal, but put
I'D the plant that their mysterious
losses were becoming an item that was
serious. He showed me Halls desk
and the watch and chain and the hand
kerchief. He stared at me strangely
as asked permission to retain the Lat.
ter article.
sGoing to do some detective workr'
he insinuated.
81 am, If it will prove the innocence
: Of q Lad you have wronged," an
, swered gravely. 'T ask week to act
| I'm that capacity, but at no charge "a
, you"
Then I went back to the Office and
, offered to go home with Hal He was
over1oyed at the proffer. We found
; his sister working on a dress The
first glimpse had Of that lovely. In
genuous face new interest came Into
the case for me. told my story and
7 that OF Hal. Not for an instant die
Inez Barton doubt the innocence Of
her brother, and both seemed relieved
7 and glad that extended my friendly
aid. I asked Hal to call at my Office
the next morning.
"Do you recall anyone with Morst
q Co. who is given to the use OF per
fumery?'' I asked Hal, "a man. fol
this is mans handkerchief. And HI
i name, according to the initial, begin
n with c."
"C2 Ca-r-r-Carri Oh, Mfr. Lane
S instantly cried Hal, che Is our inven
0 tory clerk. He wouldn't stealr'
II didn't say that he would, Hail."
replied. 'GThe handkerchief suggest
him. though, IL seems. Never mind
forget that. Tel your sister viii re
port progress In q day or two" ana
2 my mind as full Of Inez as OF my self
: imposed mission, took up the tram O
Walter Carr forthwith, learning from
z Hal sufficient o6 his routine to mai
: out my plan Of action.
: I brought JOY and relief to tht
humble Barton home the last day O
: that week. With eyes believed Wit
grateful tears Ine3 Barton listened {,
my story. Il was simple one. Ever.
day Walter Carr went for his lunch d
the came restaurant. Every day b
, was met by young man Every da.
ID they hung their hats on the sam
hooks, and one day noticed tina
when the meal was finished Carr tool
the hat Of his eonfrere, both OF tn
i same size and make, and another da,
# | T nnauaDad IN waMkn off With %ha Gar