The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-01-13
RANDALL,
THE OLD
CROUCH
Copyright by W. G. Chapman.)
By H. M. EGBERT

OF the corporation. IulS
much was universally admitted. No
body ever went to him for a raise OF
salary without a sinking heart, for,
even if the request was overwhelming
ly justified, the petitioner was met
with a cutting phrase which nullifed
the moral effects of the benefit. What
ever Randall did was done grudgingly.
Yet the few who were in the know
were aware how deeply the acid Of
life had eaten into Randalls soul. His
only daughter had died, five years be-
fore, just after graduating from Vas
sar. His only son had gone to the
bad and run away from home prior to
that. Once the boy had come to the
fathers door; but Randall had sent
out a curt message by the servant
that he would not see him.
Of late Randall had been conscious
that he was growing old. He had
wondered whether he might not have
dealt with the lad more kindly. He
had heard nothing of Horace since
that visit, which had been shortly aft
er his daughters death. His wife had
died years before; he was alone in
the world, and his enlightenment made
it gloomy one.
He was working at the office late
that night, for the spring rush Of bust
ness had started; then the department
managers were overworked, and Ran
dali had to check up their errors,
! which were numerous and annoying.
Having to consult the books, he rose
from his desk and went into the large
bookkeepers' room. A man was lean
ing over a broom, his eyes closed, sup
porting himself against the wall. 1t
was the night Waterman.
Randall went up and beloved in his
ear. Kimball started and looked at
him vaguely. He had been nine
months in the corporations employ
ment, but that did not assuage Ran
dalrs anger.
You're a fine watchmanw beloved
the treasurer. You can get your
money in the morning!"
Mr.. Randall" the man began to
stammer.
Not a word, now Think we hired
you to sleep here, suppose"
He left the discomforted man and
walked back to his desk, growing
One could trust nobody. Thieves
might enter while Kimball was sleep
ing He forgot ali about the books.
To Randall's indignation and aston
ishment his seat was no longer empty.
tiny, neat little girl, with tlaXen
curls that hung about her shoulders,
was seated in his chair, scribbling all
over his blotting pad. Anger rendered
| Randall mute.
Then the little girl looked up and
smiled at him. Something in Ran
dall's heart seemed to rise up and fill
his throat. Minnie had smiled like
that-and this child looked like
Minnie.
well! Who are your demanded
Randall gruffiy.
I'm Leonora, and I'm not a bit
afraid of you,' answered the child,
How did you get here? Kimball
brought you, eh?"
The child nodded. "He often brings
me, only he tells me not to let you
see me, because you're an old crouch.
l wanted to see what an old crouch
was like, so l came here. Are you
really an old crouch? You don't look
awfully bad"
81 guess I'm an old crouch, all
right" said Randall.
But you can't make me afraid of
you," said the child. people say
you're terrible. Papa says so.''
81 guess 1 am. Somebody's got to
be-"
I'D hate to be you," said Leonora,
Randall glared at her. At first he
could not find words to say. He was
thinking that he hated to be himself.
At last he found his tongue Kim
ball !" he beloved.
The Waterman appeared. He stood
looking in dismay, first at the child
and then at the treasurer.
"Got any good reason for being
dSlcep VII uuly 1edhdtlil liiquiiCu.
The watchman's face flushed heav-
lily. 81 was up all last night with my
sisters husband" he answered.
That's his child
Randall began to notice that Kim
ball had the speech of an educated
man. Strange that he had not no.
ticed it in those nine months!
He's getting over an attack of
pneumonia" continued Kimball.
what does he do for livingT'
asked Randall; and yet he could not
imagine why he was interested.
"Well, sir, like me, he was brought
up in rich home, and we were both
MASTERS In our youth. I couldn't turn
my hand to anything, and he's the
same. I guess we're both sorry now.
He was Waterman with Wiley COM
pany till it dissolved"
Eyes, l know" Randall sneered
"Both born to better things and can't
hold down a watchman's job. Here
take yourself off and take the child
with you'll"
They went away, the little girl shak-
ing her hand at him and laughing
Randall, when they were gone, sat at
his desk thinking. His life was pass
ing in review before him, the empty