Evening star., 1924-09-14

Robhins-as the boys and girls called
him because of his optical affection
started his tryout. We had finally to
admit that the lad was impossible.
He was trying desperately to make
good. But he couldn't see to do his
work. He had to hunt the copy and
his type case over with his one good
eye. and that took time. He ran into
things or knocked over galleys or
forms or live advertisements on his
blind side.
1t would require courage to get rid
of him, for up in these little hill
towns we do not discharge our EN-
ployes with the sang froid of the
cities. At last. one Saturday after
noon, as kindly as he could, Sam
called the lad aside. gave him nine
dollars and broke it to him gently.
Suppose. sonny, you sort of take
your time and look around. See If
you can't connect with something
else to do
You mean, now that I'm fred"
he whispered with gu1p.
"Not exactly fired-yet. You can
stay around and work spell until
you find another place. But-don't
be too long about getting it,"
He worked the next week blindly,
without spirit, utterly broken. He
, grew into such a nuisance around the
Office we contemplated giving him $50
and telling him to pull his freight
anywhere-So long as he got from
underfoot. Meeting Mrs. Mathers on
the street. Sam told her he could not
be responsible for the fellows board
another week.
why he only stayed with me four
days" exclaimed that lady. II don't
know where he went or where he's
living"
, Saturday came. The office girl fig-
ured the $40 into the payroll, drew
a check to cover the whole, caShed it
at Judge Farmers bank. and left the
| money in the green boX-safe to go to
| lunch.
drawer was empty-to the last tar
nished cent. The lock had always
| been faulty.
| The Robbins boy did not cine back
| for his pay envelope.
THE following Monday noon. about
1880. old Potiphar Buss came
| back early from his luncheon. He
| went into the back room. hung his
coat and hat on the hook, and
| mounted his stool to read.
He was attracted by the printer s
apron he had loaned the Robbins boy.
| hanging beside the window. Out of
! the front pocket protruded a bunch
! Of old envelopes,
! PazZled, Potiphar went across and
took them out. glance told him
| they belonged to the Robbins boy.
| There were a dozen. frayed and
soiled-common stamped post office
| envelopes-which appeared to have
| been carried around in the lads
pocket a year and a day. They all
| bore Baltimore post mark. and the
| different addresses disclosed the
| boys desperate search for employ
mcnt.
Curiosity mingled with compassion
prompted the old printer to put the
| letters in chronological order accord
! ing to the post marks. Then he ad
justed his spectaclcs and drew the
first one forth.
The mail had been carried in the
boys pocket so long that some words
had to be supplied. Nevertheless.
Mr. Buss made them out, letter after
letter. And when he reached the last
holding them fell to his fat little lap.
His lack-luster eyes stared straight
ahead. fixed on vague distance.
Poor son of gum he whispered.
Poor young son of gun. Almost
believe I'D steal a payroll for that
m'seIf."
Finally he restored the spectacles
to his nose and drew out again the
second to the last message. He read
again these words:
II don't believe a word you say
about living in any old empty coun-
try house to save expenses. I might
| have believed it once. perhaps. But
not after you've had such a long time
| as this in which to get settled. You
simply don't want me with you-"
Empty country house," whispered
Potiphar Buss. What old house
could ne have found and took t Twin
in?" Then his jaw dropped. Gould
it be possible that pore young coot
found Fred Osgood's keys"
| The help returned at l o'clock. but
| Potiphar Buss said nothing about the
letters. But he did his work half
heartedly that afternoon.
| The sun went down about 4:30. A
| dreary wind blew up and overcast the
| sky with clouds. Six O'Clock came. The
boys and girls laid down their work
the motors on the lnotypes died away;
| came the usual jostling around the sink
! for the rally wash-up. Only this night
| the talk was all about the robbery
and the whereabouts OF the Robbins
boy. Potiphar bent over his type
| case, his face troubled study, lost
! in poignant thought.
| Finally he went to his boarding
| place and got his supper. The clouds
gave down murky drizzle. The 60
I ing under foot was slushy and disa-
greeable Nevertheless, after supper
he buttoned his coat about his fat
| little stomach, fortified himself with
| a pipe of fresh tobacco. took his bag
| gy green umbrella and started out