Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1905 — Billy’s Celebration [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Billy’s Celebration

By James Seymour

Daisy slammed down the lid of the typewritti' desk viciously. It hod been an especially trying day. Mr. Cartaret bad been as disagreeable as only the head of the firm can make himself, and she was so out of sorts that she did not even smile upon Jimmie, the elevator boy. When she found Billy Teller waiting at the door she tried to pass without speaking. “What’s the matter, girlie?” he asked as he caught up with her and fell into step. “Do go away," she said crossly. “I don’t want ever to speak to a man again.” “Not even me?” demanded Billy In affected surprise. “I’m not the head of a firm.” “Don’t you ever be such a horrid thing,” she said, laughing, as she slipped her arm through his. “It’s been an awful day, and I never knew a man could be so hateful.” “I dou’t seem to be In line for head of a firm,” said Billy ruefully. “I asked the boss this morning If he could raise my pay, and he said I’d be lucky if he didn’t find he'd have to cut my wages until after election.” “What did you say?” she asked. “Told him I supposed the election would be as good an excuse for a cut as anything he could think of, and he fired me for being Impertinent.” “Oh, I’m so sorry!” she cried. “What did you do it for?” “It was bound to come,” he said cheerfully. “Y’see, he’s got a nephew he wants to put In my place.” “I was dismissed, too,” she said. “I simply couldn’t stand some of Mr. Cartaret’s language, and when I protested he told me he was going to get a man, so he could say what he wanted to.” “Bully!” said Billy. “Let’s celebrate!” “What for?” she demanded. “For our liberty,” he retorted. “Come on. We’ll have supper downtown

somewhere, and we'll go to the theater afterward.” “And you’ll go broke after that,” she supplemented. “Oh, I’m used to that!” said Billy. “Come on In here." “In here” was a table d’hote, where a seven course dinner with wine could be had for 40 cents, and, not being overparticular as to the minor details of service, they enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Billy insisted upon paying 10 cents extra for a better grade of ciuret, and the festivities were in full swing when the obsequious waiter pulled out a chair and John C'artaret sat down at tlicir table—right between the two. Matters calling for his attention had held him downtown, and he decided that he would make the best of the handiest restaurant. The room was crowded, and he had taken his place at the table before noticing bis companions. He flushed redly as his glance fell upon Daisy, but he would not retreat. “You see,” said Billy, breaking an awkward silence by the continuation of an imaginary conversation “you see. this ’Society For the Encouragement of Expletives Among Employers* Is bound to be a good thing. It will give the employer an excuse for swearing at his typewriter by letting him teli her that it’s one of the rules of the organization.” "Billy.” said the giggling Daisy as she stole a glance at Cartaret, who was apparently busy with the menu. “Don't interrupt the orator,” said Billy severely. “Y'ou see, I am going to have a button badge, sulphur colored, with little blue flames about the edge and a bis red D In the middle. It will be very ornamental, and at the same time It will show a decent girl what to expect.” “They’re not always bad Just because they swear,” protested Daisy, mindful of Cartaret’s many kindnesses when his dyspepsia lay low. “Well, their language Is bad,” Insisted Billy, “or we wouldn’t be celebrating our Joint dismissal. Maybe we could initiate our former employers as members and get enough to pay our board bills next week.” “May I offer a suggestion?" broke In Cartaret. To their surprise, be was smiling. “It’s a little Irregular,” declared Billy before Daisy coaid speak, "but as

founder of the society I am always ready to listen to suggestions.” “I would suggest," said Cartaret, pushing away his soup plate, “that Instead you both make application for reinstatement” f “Ever hear of Blackton & Stone?” Inquired Billy. “I have often,” said Cartaret, his eyes twinkling. “Well, I worked for ’em,” said Billy sententlously. “Would you like to make that motion again?” “If the worthy president permits,” said Cartaret, “I would suggest as an amendment that Mr.—er”— “Teller,” said Billy encouragingly. “Go ahead.” “That Mr. Teller make application to Miss Denning’s late employer. I have reason to believe that some advantage may accrue.” “Motion carried,” said Billy. “What time d’ye want me to come around?” “If your duty to the ‘society’ permits, may I suggest at 10 o’clock Monday?” Bald Cartaret. “I’ll be there,” Billy assured him. “Say, want to go to a show ?” “I beg pardon,” said Cartaret, with an inquiring inflection. “To the theater,” explained Billy. “Y’see, we were going to celebrate losing our Jobs. Now we can celebrate getting back at the same time. We’re going to see ‘Halted at the Altar.’ It’s a bully show.” “I am afraid,” said Cartaret, “that a business engagement will occupy most of the evening, but If you will permit I should be glad to have you as guests at supper after the play.” “Say, we don’t want to rub it In,” expostulated Billy. “I don’t think you understand,” said Cartaret a little wistfully, “that the favor is yours. It’s been fifteen years since I’ve had young people about me, and I. should really enjoy your company.” “We’ll buy a seat for you and leave It at the box office,” declared Billy. “Try to get In for the last act, where the villain’s crazy wife kills him and three choir boys. It’s great” “I’ll be there,” said Cartaret laughingly. “Such intellectual Joys are not to be despised. And if you will permit”— He ended with a glance at Daisy and leaned over to whisper something to Billy. “Sure!” was the hearty answer, and Cartaret rose to return to his office. “What did he whisper?” demanded Daisy as they again turned their attention to dessert. “He says,” answered Billy gravely, “that the Job be wants me for needs a steady married man, and I told him I thought I could fix that”

HE LEANED OVER TO WHISPER SOMETHING TO BILLY.