Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1919 — Jones Gets a Raise [ARTICLE]

Jones Gets a Raise

By IMES MACDONALD

(Copyright, 191 S, bv' McClure Newspaper ■. Syndicated < ' ' Young Mr, Jones reached over and gave his adding machine a few tcntaerie.) Fiyq yours out of a mid western college. anti David R. Jones had little Io boast of hi the-way of achhwemeut. He had been ambitious," but eager and enthusiastic" application to his job"for five long years had failed to lift him out of the clerics <.'lns.y ’ When he hgd taken flic job in answer to an advertisement lie bad been ' assured of “rapid "ndvnn<'einent~]rnrt“ :t~ future for-fhe right man.’’ But fie was still doing the same work he had boon j doing affer his first three months with the company. He had stuck to one job with sincere and .industrious purI»ose without its bringing him anything in the way of advancement—and WOW that it was June again the pros pect of 4inot her long, hot summer in J. that office galled him. With a thoughtful air he withdrew from his wallet a clipping which he had torn front his jiewspaper on (he, way downtown in the subway that morning. "WANTED—Athletic young man as boatman bn- gentleman's estate. Connecticut shore. ’Must be ♦•Xpert swimmer—know motorboats, Sailboats and canoes —make repairs and be generally , usefuEand obliging: SOO inonthlvTrmt 2 board. See Mrs. Agnes Turner between 10 and 12 Tuesday, Hotel Ark* wright-” And after he had read the ad through once more young Mr. Jones arose from his desk and entered the private office of his great -and exclusive boss, the well-known Mr. Henry I*. Riggs. Mr. Riggs, or “Old H. 1’..” us he was called in the outer office, stared at the impulsive Mr. Jones with surly surprise. The privacy of his domain had never before been so violated. “Well?” he demanded. Tm Jones," said Jones, "David R. Jones. I've been with this company —Trveyears. I have a fair education, a ’ certain amount of brains and some ability. When 1 came here 1 was promised rapid advancement and a future. and before I die of old age at $A> a week Ethought I'd mt into the matter with you.” "Well?” repeated Old H. P. sourly. "I want a man's job and $3,000 a year from today or I’m through.” Old H. P. glared, and the barest crinkle of a sarcastic smile puckered up one corner of his mouth. “You’re through, all right!" he agreed, "and you won’t find three-lhousand-dollar jobs hanging on trees around (fits town, young man.” "Anyway," grinned Jones pffnbty, "1 don't intend to hang on this tree till l‘m rotten. There are plenty of other trees growing in the orchard of Man- : hat tan.” “Very well.” growled Old H. I’., turn- , ing back to his desk. •’But if you don 1 get your fancy job you can have your old one here any time before the first • of September ho flung over his should, def. “Huh!” he grunted a few days later when the incident recurred to him. “The young squirt ’ And 1 was proud . .of fifteen a week al his age’” - But at that very moment David R. . Jones, -riairin a sleevelessand” an old pain of flannel trousers. - was tuning up the engine of a high-powered motorboat up on the Connecticut shore. I “Hello, boatman!” shouted a voice above the din, and Jones looked up to see a smiling face peering at him over the edge of the dock: She swung her legs over the side and turned ur.ihnd with the intention of sliding dqwn backwards to the deck of the boat, some six feet below. Her skirt caught on a bolt, but she kept right on sliding till the modest Mr. Jones was compelled to turn his face away. ’ "Unhook me.'’~she finally wailed indignantly. Am,! Junes, .wiping his dirty - lu'.nds op a piece of waste, reached up obediently. and unhooked her. setting her safely on her feet with a grin. “My—my corning was quite a revelation, wasn't it?” she said demurely, the colqr deepening in her cheeks. Biit Jones had pretended not to no* ttce. although the nice mvn~who pretend never to notice are the very ones wh.q.never miss anything/ “Who might you be?” he asked pleasantly. “I'm Lotta, the youngest.” she laughed. “Carlotta Riggs, you know. We only got'here just a little while ago— Louise and Nina* and Aunt Agnes. Aunty says; you ,impressed her'very favorably at your interview in town,’and she thinks you’re going to be a very nice boatman. What*s your name?”-—-And from that day forth David R. Jones was Letta’s very own. She appropriated him as something sen; .to her by the. gods for her own especial .jdeasure ttnd amusement. Together they painted the boats—mended the dork— rebuilt the flopt. Sturdily she worked, at his side, .and Jn between rimes they swam together.' If the rest of the family noticed it at all .they, merely passed it off with a shrug—for after alt Lotta was only a kid. but—- ' The .day H. P. Jliggs was expected pp to spend a week with his family, ~l>4f><f aud Jones,, wear across the bay Hie- mottyhoat to meet bint; and he j ... l-rnuuy young boatman by his daUgle let.,* At first, he did not, recognize #wies, but the way Lotta hovered over

that young men drew her father's un divided attention and disapproval—and while he _ glewcredover his-danehter's so apparent affection for his erstwhile clerk, Jones' identity registered itself on his brujn.really- a- bnattnan, jdalned Lotta to her father that night at the dinner table, “Iles ju-T a very ~nrco~ybung man who worked Ill's head .off live whole years for ii grouchy old ~mnp who wouldn't give hlm-a chunoe. &i Da\y imide up his mind to have a ' vacation (his summer and find a better job next fall.” (3 -And as -usual .Ijoiln-hirrrh-tl- through 1 >!' 'iilup’r a'ud slipped down to the l>< :'ch' and I':n '.Join s. "Why, darn it all !" said' Davy. a few minutes later. "You shouldn't have d him that. Your father was the MU guy .who wouldn’t give- me a - -yh afi.ee— —— ; - And Lotta sat back against an uptut ned boat ip "Mean old tljAig!" site -sti-id- disrespect fully, with , visions in her young mimt of putting j it over on her father. Tin n she lean- j , e<l her slim length against Davy Jones, j with- one hand curled beliind'his neck —-ami if you've ever had anyone you loved standing as Lotta was. b<-gging tn.he kissed, you probably know just x\liat Jones did about it. ■ —“Xtnro the ywyHTsrittyn m vy dear. I’ve been“Avantitig you to kiss me.” vas saying. as the glow of < >ld H.’l’.'s cigar came around tin* corner of the boathouse. For a niotm nt he stopped and 'watched the two who stood so close together there, his <lauglitor ami Davy Jones —then he ..walked owr- and faced them grimly. old job back again," said H. I’. Riggsto the startled Mr. Jones. “When a mnn's married he ra+lrer- needs h -Job. doesn't he? But the, two of you can't live on thirty-five a week.” ■ ~"Lrrtta "we can." grinned Joncs. hugging that willing young, woman just a bit closer —and then he bluffed a little. “However, we won’t have to. I’m starting with Rogers. Wyman & Co., the first of September at $3,500 a year." Whereupon Lotta squeezed his arm nnd eyed her father hostilely. For a moment H. I’. Riggs withstood that Lgtance and then he extended his hand with a grin. "On the contrary, Dave,” he said almost genially, “you’re starting with 11. P. Riggs & Co. at $5.000 —and eventually. h —n partnerslilp” “——*— _ And then Lotta- graciously transrferreff one of Davy Jnnes’ kisses to her father and back again.