SLICES OF LIFE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3719, 16 November 1926, Page 7

SLICES OF LIFE

‘ THE SHADOW [By Aubrey W. Hammond, in the ‘Sunday Chronicle.’] There lies over the restless heads of countless people iu this world the shadow of what is called indifferently the “sack,” the “boot,” or the bullet.” Find me the man outside the services who is not or never has been afraid of tins shadow and 1 am prepared to give money to charity. Mv friend Sydney had lully persuaded himself that he was to bo “ fired.” as he called it. He was loud of talking about the “ Damocles sword ” that he declared was suspended over his head by a very slender thread that threatened to break at al, y moment. H the blade didn’t tall tomorrow, it would fall next week; if not next week, next year, it was only a question ol time. , , .. That was why Sydney habitually lunched on a poached egg on toast and “ milk and a dash he was saving lor the evil dav—that was why he sat in his armchair in the evenings gazing moodily into the empty grate, why his wife’s sallies provoked no response, why the merry laughter of his children sounded a hollow mockery. THE CRISIS/ One dav Sydney was fully convinced that his firm was going up the spout,” the next thing that they had gone economy mad, and that ho was due for a “rise” of the wrong kind. As the years went on Sydney s health began to suffer, and with it his temper and his. work; life became almost unbearable. , At last the crisis came. Sydney was horribly busy. There were quantities ot letters "to be typed, there were countless interruptions; some of his colleagues were on holiday, and he had. to do their jobs as well as his own. To add to his difficulties the telephone was particularly active,, and there was a whole series ot such remarks as “ Sorry you’ve been troubled,” “ Will you repeat the number,” or “ Sorry the line’s out _ot order,” delivered in that polite hut impersonal sort of voice that is the peculiar perquisite of exchange operators and 8.8. G. announcers. The bell rang for the httieth time that day. There came a brusque demand from a gruff voice: “Just take - this down, will you?” “ Who are you?” said Sydney. . u Never mind who 1 *uu. lake tins down.” . , ~,, . “ Look here,” said Sydney, Ive got too much to do to bother about you. Clear the line and let me get on with the job.” And he slammed on the receiver. , , , “Has the governor phoned up vet?” someone asked Sydney a moment 'or two later. “ He' was expected to about this time.” Then Sydney knew. . . .

That evening a strange thing happened. Sydney appeared a new man. He came home to his wife as blithe and lively as a schoolboy, carrying a huge box of chocolates under his arm. “It’s come,” ho said, with a broad smile. “What’s come?” said his puzzled

wife. r ~ “ Why, the sack, ot course.’’ He seemed delighted about it. Ho proposed a dinner, a dance, a visit to the theatre, and a new evening gown all in a breath. He gave his children playful chucks under the chin, while they gazed at him in open-eyed wonderment “You don’t mean to say you ve got the push” gasped his wife, collapsing into a chair. . “ 1 just do,” he said gaily. L haven’t actually got the latter, but it’ll come to-morrow 1 should think.” And he put a record on the gramophone and tied himself up into knots over the Charleston in high glee; “What’s wrong with you? Have you gone mad? 1 don’t sec anything to dance about,” said his wile ruefully. “Don’t von,” retorted Sydney. L do; it’s the relief of the thing—the blessed relief!” Next morning Sydney got to the office sharp to. time and ran full tilt upon the “ governor.” There was a malignant look in the great man’s eyes as they seemed to examine Sydney Irom head to foot. “ 1 want to see you iu mv room,” he said. '“Now we’re for it.” thought Sydney. The novelty and the adventure pleased him. “ After all, he can t sack me twice.” BACK TO THE SHADOW.

The great man sat at Jiis desk busily sorting out his papers. His asthma seemed to he more pronounced than usual. It looked as though the task of dealing the fatal blow had unnervedhim. Presently he looked up. “ Well, you’ve been with us a long time, von know/' lie said, “and I should just like to say that we are very satisfied with your services. You have put in a rare lot of useful work, and we have decided to increase your salary by 50 per cent.” Sydney’s face fell. His heart was as heavy as lead. The shadow of the sack had come back.