Evening star., 1923-06-10
CeuAtns9
aLEM J

began primping before the wash
stand
Good morning" came a strange
voice in reply.
The woman turned in confusion TO
behold tall young man regarding
her from the private-ofice doorway.
"You"' she cried. What are you
doing in Mr.. Birds private Officer"
Cleaning it out" responded Bene-
dict, curtly.
whats happened to Mr.. Bird2"
Hes canned"
But I saw Mr.. Bird last night, and
he said nothing about"
Perhaps not. I'm managing this
business this morning. however.
might as well tell you now as later
that Miss Rivers is coming back this
afternoon. and your own services will
no longer be required"
You didn't hirei me, and you can't
fire me. won't go until I'm turned
off by Mr.. Bird himself"
! It's immaterial to me. Only there
will be no pay check coming to you
next Saturday afternoon"
I'll see Mr.. Bird about this"
Go ahead. ] merely mentioned
Miss Rivers return to save you en-
barrassment later in the day"
| From the inner room came the
| tearing and crumping of more papers.
One by one, the remainder of. the
Office employees drifted in. They did
not go quietly to their desks. The
Hallett person saw to that. She was
wronged woman and discoursed
loudly upon the wrong.
Having finished the cleaning of the
desk, Benedict stepped to the door
and politely ordered the employees to
! their desks. A tall. thin shipping
| clerk stepped forward.
"By what authority are you taking
Mr.. Birds placer he demanded.
I'm suggesting you leave that to
Mr.. Bird and myself and go on with
the days work." was the sharp retort.
rs that a threat?" demanded the
young man.
That's an order" George corrected.
And those who refuse to obey my
orders are fired. Do you want it
palmer than that? II you do, say so.'
n X =
TT was q few minutes past 8 O'Clock
i when Jonas Bird entered the office.
His favorites surged forward.
What right has he got to take
your placer" they cried.
Her stammered Jonas. who do
you mean, he?"
George Benedict-the fellow who
quit here in May"
Where is he?"
tIn your private office"
| Bird had reached the threshold
| But he paused there
"Whatter you doing here" he roar
ed at Benedict.
George gave careless glance over
his shoulder.
! "Oh. it's you-Mr. Bird. Good
morning. Fine day outside, isn't it?'
I What does this mean?" cried Bird
Answer me before send for the po.
lice"
II hardly think I'd send for the po-
ing my own interests" Benedict was
! cool.
why shouldn't 1 send for the DO.
lice? What right have you got here
anyway"
There were many things here ir
the mill not going as we'll as Nigh,
be desired. 1 decided to assume tho
place Mr.. Gates would want me tt
assume IL he were alive"
Behind Bird, peering over hi.
shoulders. the Office employees grouped
themselves.
Get out of here, all of you" roarec
Bird. Then to Benedict: "And yol
get out of here along with themn
You're wasting my time and you
own, Mr.. Bird. Nothing doing" sait
George.
| "send for Chief Hogan" roaret
Bird over his shoulder.
| "Just one moment, MIR. Bird.
you ordered Mr.. Hogan to arrest M
and he was so thoughtless as t,
. comply, it might involve him in al
ugly difficulty. Hogan has propert.
which I might attach for damages
though you have not
Damages? what damages coul'
, you have coming to your"
/ Read the bylaws of this corpor
alton. I'm a stockholder here. Nv
: perfect right on the company
property, anywhere I wish to go, a
; any time OF the day or night. &c
that? Likewise I've a perfect righ
to inspect all the books and record
of this business whenever like. an
otherwise deport myself as though
, were one of its owners-which I an
, You own no stock in this company
You're merely an employe hired 70
a specified salary. And it's custo
, mary in business. Mr.. Bird, for tn
Z employer to be above the employs
There's the telephone. Call any at
: torney ana hnd out"
. Bird whirled on the curious EN-