A DREADFUL SCARE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 109, 8 May 1903, Page 2

A DREADFUL SCARE.

. There was a look of strong dcterminatic on the young man's face as he started-fj the private office of the head of the fin such a look as comes in a man's face, wht he has made" up his mind to do or die. Ra tat-tat! ' . ■ •■■'■;.■;.-...'•" "'- ;Ji "Come in." V .'■-'> The young man hesitated for a mllHpm part of a second, and drew a lohg breut It was against the rules of the house f< an employee to draw a long breath durij working hours,' but our hero chanced it. >'Well?" queried the head of the firr as he looked up with an icy glare In h eyes. "Mr Overall," began the young. raan,:i he made a'great effort to control his em tions, "I have been with you for over foj years." - - ;;,;, : "Yes." , '.■'■' /■■''.' ■■•■Tv ■■'■""'■% : "I trust that during this long perioda conduct has been such that —; —'' '. "But this is no time to come to me ffi any such requestl"' ) "Mr Overall, I was advised to corner you weeks ago, but I put It off." "Then put it off again; Haven't you g sense enough to realise that business hi been as dull as ditch-water for the la twelve months?" "I know it has, sir; but one may kT durng bad times as well as when times a ■easy, -Mr Over——" "Love! Jove! What in Jericho has lovej to do with it? You are now getting tv pounds a week, I believe, and if you are| satisfied you can go." "Mr Overall, you have a daughter." "Yes, I know—three of 'em." :, "I love the eldest—your Edith—andl know she loves me." "And you want to ask her hand In; of riage?" .. "I do."' '' -.."•;. -" "Take it. Take Edith, Jane, and Sara| all three of 'em, if they'll have your-iff get married to-morrow if you want to!' "Mr Overall, how can I ever- " ; Ji "Never mind, clear put! Great Scotl-A what a shock you gave me! I thought;?! had come to ask for a rise of five sWIHjjS a week' in your salary! Young man, §a qtime you want; to marry into my fsnl| corn el in here and jump oh my neck>;lßfj businesslike manner. Instead of scarlngl| out of a year's growth? Yes, take 'em a> marry 'em, and be happy, and get &*g£