Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-03-23
The Two
Bachelors
By MALCOLM BROWN
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Copyright, 1922. Western Newspaper Union
And the doctor says he'll new
err be able to come to work again"
The ending of Daniel Patterson's
story fell with dismal effectiveness
upon the ears of Abner, his brother.
Old Eph Jones, who had kept the
books for the important firm ever,
since its inception by Hiram Patter-
son, the father of the two brothers,
had been disabled by old age.
OF course, he would be pensioned.
but the question was, who would take
his place? The Patterson business
was an Old-fashioned one, trading
with a few wealthy, old-fashioned
| families.
As matter of fact, the Patterson
business barely paid its way. But the
brothers had amasSed a comfortable
! fortune Daniel the elder, was lit
tie over fifty; Abner, his brother, who
was always regarded as the reckless
one, was f0rty-five Both were con
firmed bachelors, and if they had
! given up business neither would have
/ known what TO do with himself.
"We'n have to advertise for a book
Keeper" said Abner, after a consulta-
ton. "a quiet, dignified, young wom-
an"
! And thus, in due course of time,
: Miss Marjory Brown took her seat at
the desk behind the grille and began
OF take financial charge Of the broth
ers' affairs.
Both Abner and Daniel had antici-
! pated troublesome time in posting
I her as to the affairs of the house, but
to their delight, Miss Brown proved
as intelligent as she was attractive.
And within month Miss Marjory
Brown ruled the Office with rod of
iron.
"Abner," said Daniel one day, ~
withdraw what I said against women
.. bookkeepers. Miss Brown is a-er--
Z a-er-peach
He Kissed the word at his brother
and then looked at him as one who
has committed a breach of decorum.
But Abner only nodded his head, and
then Daniel looked at him quite differ
emily. That Abner' should hold the
! same opinion of Miss Brown reused
curious sensation in him.
Miss Brown was duly raised from
4 thirty to forty dollars a week, to lure
4 her away from matrimonial aspira.
( tons.
But that was in the good times be
fore the panic. Then business grew
worse and worse.
"Ahner," said Daniel, Miss Brown
4 will have to go. You give her notice
''Why don't you give her notice?
I answered Abner. "You are the senior
Z partner" He had observed that Dan
3 lei had grown more more formal will
Miss Brown of late.
"But you are a man of the world
n Abner," urged Daniel. you have ha'
+ -er-- experience in these matterS
Tell FER, Aimef, tiiat we may take he
back if we re-open.'
"Take her backl" repeated Abnel
scornfully. WHY, Daniel, she vii
have another position then. How
could we get her back?"
So Abner very reluctantly edgeC
his way toward the grille.
"Miss Brown" he began, II am yer,
sorry to say that THAT is, the firm
II mean we are going to close down
perhaps for a long time"
AS he looked at Miss MarJor
Brown Abner suddenly became awar
that for the first time in months h
was able to do so without Daniel com
ing in to call him. Daniel had Away
hated to have him talk to the book
keeper. Miss Brown reminded him o
somebody he had once known whe
he really was the reckless member 0
the family. And suddenly Abner wa
swept away into doing the most recA
less thing he had ever done.
''But we want you to stay with u
forever" he stammered. ave wan
you to be-er-er-wife."
Miss Browns cheeks became tn
color of a rudy peach.
"Whose wife did you say, Mr.. Al
ner," she murmured. looking down q
her ledger.
"My wife!" calculated Abner, tai
ing the ledger brazenly away.
81 knew you couldn't mean NJ
Daniels wife" murmured Miss Brow
Ave minutes later.
"Why, dearestf" inquired Abner.
Because 1 refused him two month
age" answered Miss Brown.