Alfred Raymond

“ Barton, strangely transformed from the crabbed, hard-faced aisle manager of the past to a pleasant, mild-mannered man whose eyes still held a hint of suffering. He was thinner than of old, but moved with an alertness that bespoke a return of strength and health. Whenever he chanced to encounter Harry he smiled at him in a fashion that bespoke his everlasting gratitude. As for Miss Welch, she and “Smarty Barton” were in a fair way to become excellent comrades of work. ”

“ Harry Harding was positively thrilling with excitement, as he hurried to the assembly room to form in line for the triumphal march to Martin Hall. The hour had come when he was to witness his chum’s triumph. A number of rows of seats had been reserved for the store messengers, and as Harry marched into the hall with his work-a-day comrades to the inspiring strains of Sousa’s “Salute to the Colors,” played by the store orchestra, he was wrought up to a high pitch of pleasurable emotion. ”

“ The realization that Harry was rapidly coming into man’s estate filled her with a curious sense of sadness. The curly-haired baby whose first tottering steps she had so patiently guided had little to do with this resolute, keen-eyed youth at her side. “You must do as your own conscience dictates. Above all things, Harry, I wish you to be a good man and true; the kind of man your father was. If you were to pick a fight with some boy merely because you didn’t like him, you’d only be wronging yourself. ”

“ Keene and tell him a pack of lies,” sneered the aisle manager, “rather than do me a little personal favor now and then.”
“I’m not a telltale, and I’ll gladly do any errand you wish me to do on my lunch hour, or after the store closes. You are welcome to my time, but I can’t give away what doesn’t belong to me.”
“You’ll do as I say,” ordered the aisle manager grimly, as though he had not heard Harry’s firm refusal. Then he turned on his heel and walked rapidly away, leaving Harry to stare after him, a bitter smile on his youthful face. He was learning the ways of men all too rapidly. ”

“ Who is that man? I asked the salesman who showed me these ovens, but he didn’t hear me, I guess.” There was a note of menace in her question that was not lost on Teddy.
“Oh, that is our assistant buyer. His name is Mr. Jarvis. He’s an efficiency man.”
“He’s not half so efficient as he might be,” snapped the woman. “Now that I know his name I’m going to report him. This seems to be a good oven.” Engaged now in peering into it, she did not mark the seraphic joy on a small freckled face.
“It’s a very good oven,” assured Teddy glibly. “If you’d like to buy it I’ll get Mr. Hickson to wait on you.” ”

“ Do you know, Mothery,” this was Harry’s pet name for his mother, “I feel a little bit sorry for Ted, to think his mother doesn’t make a fuss over him like you do over me. She belongs to some kind of a club, and she’s always going off to it, so Ted hardly sees her in the evenings. You see, he isn’t so poor as we are. He doesn’t have to work if he doesn’t want to. He can go to school. His father’s dead, too, but his mother has money enough to take care of her and Teddy so long as they both live. He just started to work because he didn’t like school. Nobody cares much what he does.” ”

“ Far from feeling the loss of the pugnacious Leon’s presence, he flung himself energetically into loading his truck with tempting bargain books, designed to arouse the enthusiasm of heat-fagged shoppers, and put new life into sluggish mid-summer trade. During the hot, breathless days of July and August those who have the wherewithal to buy books, turn their steps resolutely away from the scorching cities to the revivifying atmosphere of seashore and mountain. At such season, the lure of even the newest fiction wanes into insignificance. ”

“ Teddy had only time for a quick, backward nod as he followed Mr. Duffield down the aisle between rows of shining kitchen ware. Harry turned and accompanied his companion up a nearby stairway and down the main arcade. Just off the broad aisle his guide stopped and peered about him. “There he is.” He hustled Harry past a long row of glass cases filled with shining silver. A tall man was standing with his back to the boys. He was writing on a salesman’s book with a blue pencil. Then he said loudly, “You ought to be more careful.” The harsh tones chilled Harry through and through. ”

“ Yet Harry and Teddy knew only too well that in order to become successful business men they must, as boys, lay a sure foundation on which to build their careers. They must be ready to greet each day with a smile and live it for all it was worth. To do the little things cheerfully and well, in the hope of greater things to come was to be their watchword. The story of their return to Martin Brothers’ store after their hard-earned vacation, and what befell them on the field of duty, remains yet to be told. ”

“ Harding’s face grew grave instantly as she said: “I don’t like to think of your getting into a fist fight, Harry. Such things are brutal and better avoided. But you must not forget that you have as much right to stand up for yourself as any other boy. I believe if you try hard you can find some other way to make this boy respect your rights.”
“I’m going to try, of course. But, Mothery, if I should come home from work some evening with a black eye, you’ll know what’s happened. ”

“ At the end of the cross-aisle he paused to reconnoiter. No one was in sight. Teddy took a fresh grip on his shield and charged back again. Suddenly, to his amazed horror, his shield came in violent contact with something moving. The snarling, “Hi, there, whoda you think you’re hitting,” proved the “something moving” to be a very angry human being.
The clothes-pole clattered to the floor. The victim of his spirited charge was none other than his old enemy, Howard Randall, the fat boy. Teddy hastily flung aside his shield and doubled his fists. ”

“ A few of the employees had guessed his identity, though they could not be sure of it. In so vast a business establishment as Martin Brothers it was hard to trace the comings and goings of one particular individual. It was gossiped about Mr. Barton’s domain that he was the man for whom the benefit was to be held, yet so well did the few who were in the secret keep it that no one knew the exact truth of the matter. The very fact that the sufferer’s identity had not been disclosed lent a piquant air of mystery to the benefit.
It is always the needy who respond first to the call of charity. ”

“ On several occasions he had encountered the man with whom he had collided on that first, disastrous school morning. By this time he knew him to be Mr. Rexford, the buyer of the books. Miss Welch had given him that information. Mr. Rexford had invariably smiled at him in a kindly fashion that quite won the boy to him. Harry never saw him without wishing secretly that he had been placed in the book department. It would be the height of happiness to work for such a man as Mr. Rexford. ”

“ But he did not remain there. No, indeed. He collected his possessions and shook the dust of Department 40 from his feet without so much as a farewell word to kettles and pans. And the next elevator bore him upward to that mysterious haunt known as the Bureau of Adjustment, where in settling the claims of a claim-hungry public his fatal efficiency might soar unheeded and undisturbed.
“Who stole the perky Percolator?” demanded Teddy Burke on the morning following Mr. Jarvis’ flight from house furnishings. “I haven’t seen his sweet face this morning.” ”

“ One of them was Miss Welch. Her face was white with rage. Her blue eyes shot fire. In her hand was clutched four five-dollar notes.
“There’s your old money,” she cried, throwing it on the desk. “Oh, Kiddy, what a shame!” She ran to Harry and encircled him with protecting arms. Then she turned fiercely upon the detective. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Torturing this poor boy, before you stop to find out things. Look at him, the poor lamb. His heart’s broken. Why don’t you take somebody your own size? He did give the money to Mr. Barton, just as he said he did. ”

“ Harry expressed emphatic disapproval of such a change. “I shouldn’t like to be a detective in the least. I just happened to get into both those affairs.”
Mr. Martin smiled whimsically. “You’re rather different from the average youngster. Most boys would jump at a chance to become a sleuth. What would you like to become?” he questioned, staring hard at Harry.
“A business man, sir. I’d like to learn a lot about a big store like this; about the way things are done here. Then if ever I had a chance to go into business for myself, I know just what to do and how to do it.” ”

“ He always wondered how cannibals and head-hunters could hold those great, clumsy things in one hand and fight with the other. To-day he peered sharply about to see if anyone was observing him. That end of the department was apparently deserted. Far up the aisle the Gobbler was expatiating on the glories of a clothes-wringer to a stolid-faced [124] woman, who clamored for a bargain in wringers. The loud gobble, gobble of the saleswoman’s strident voice floated down the aisle to Teddy. It meant that the Gobbler was too much taken up with her customer to trouble herself about him. ”

“ The very fact that Leon was a shirker incited Harry to do his utmost to keep things moving. To frequently stumble upon the sluggard, asleep in a bin or deep in a book, was naturally an aggravation. Yet Harry never complained to Mr. Rexford of his companion’s worthlessness, neither did he appear to notice what went on day after day under his very eyes. ”

“ Harry’s voice was purposely sharp. He had no time to argue the matter with Teddy. “I wouldn’t be a quitter until I’d tried things out. You may like this school as much as you hated the other. Come on. We can’t stand here talking all day.”
Teddy walked beside Harry to Mr. Marsh’s desk with the air of a martyr. As he passed the still-waiting row of boys he hunched his shoulders and stared at them with a cross-eyed glare, which was one of his accomplishments, and caused them to giggle audibly. ”

“ Keene was interrupted by a frantic burst of cheers. He smilingly waited for the demonstration of applause to die away. Then he continued:
“Your cheers prove you are patriots. Love of country is the highest form of patriotism, but there’s another kind of patriotism that counts, too. It is loyalty to the house that employs you. If you try to do the best that is in you for those who are trying to do their best for you, then you are patriots. A patriot at work will become a patriot at war. Wherever you may be placed, boys, whether it’s in this store or in the trenches, be loyal to your trust ”

“ To Teddy Burke and Harry Harding the winter fairly raced along the frozen road to spring. Work brought the lads a contentment they had never before experienced. Teddy’s efforts had been rewarded with another dollar a week, and an initiation into the mysteries of stock in the realm of kettles and pans. Determined to give the boy every chance, Mr. Everett made much of him, giving him simple but invaluable information in the business of careful buying and the care of stock. Teddy was laying the foundation for a useful future amid the pleasantest possible surroundings. ”

“ THE BOY WHO COULD FORGIVE With the beginning of school a fresh era of interest arrived for Harry and Teddy. As October waned, faded and finally gave up the ghost in the icy arms of November, the two boys found themselves in the thick of many happenings. Being soldiers was a never-ceasing source of delight to them. They looked forward with the eagerness to their semi-weekly drill which preceded lessons. Companies D and E were recruits to the regular Minute Men of the store and were under the efficient guidance of a retired officer of the National Guard. ”

“ Marsh’s glance traveled down the line until it rested upon Harry Harding. A deep flush rose to Harry’s face, but he met the quizzical glance with steady eyes.
“Well, Burke, I’m glad to know you are a manly boy, at least,” asserted Mr. Marsh, “but I must know who the other boy is. Someone else in this room is more at fault than you. Still, if he won’t own up to his part of this affair, and you won’t give me his name, then you will have to bear your punishment and his too.” Mr. Marsh spoke with a decision that made Teddy’s heart sink. ”

“ Denby, the new fiction salesman, told me that about Mr. Atkins. I was thinking that he must be glad that his son can work and earn something to help him. You see, Mothery, it’s just like this. I don’t like this new boy very well, and I’m afraid he doesn’t like me. It isn’t going to be pleasant for us to work together. I feel as though I ought to be nice to him because he’s helping his father earn their living. ”

“ Teddy squinted reflectively. “Mr. Everett says if I watch my p’s and q’s I might be his assistant some day. Only I’ll have to grow a lot. I’m an inch taller’n last year, anyhow. That’s growing up some.”
“I’m almost three inches taller than I was last year,” said Harry with pardonable pride. “I hope I’ll grow up to be as tall as Father was. He was six feet.”
“You better get a grow on then,” grinned Teddy. “I saw Miss Verne to-day. She wants me to sing at an entertainment. It’s to be the last of May in Martin Hall. It’s a benefit for another sick man in the store.” ”

“ They meant that the tired salespeople who had stuck to their posts so faithfully through the bustle and hurry of Christmas had not been so tired as to forget that a merry, gift-laden Christmas is the most important thing in the world to a boy. In each lad’s pocket reposed a two dollar and a half gold piece, the gift of their respective buyers, and as Harry Harding and Teddy Burke trudged home through the sharp wintry air they both agreed that they were truly the luckiest boys under the sun. ”

“ I’m going to stay in Martin Brothers’ store till I’m dead. When I get too old to be superintendent, I’m going to get a job in the transfer gathering up packages.”
“If you ever got to be superintendent, you’d have money enough to live on when you were too old to work,” smiled practical Harry.
“That’s so,” admitted Teddy, “but I wouldn’t have much fun. I’d rather hustle a truck than get old and sit in the sun and have only crackers to eat and think about the Dragoness and the Clothes-pole and the Percolator and all my dear friends. I guess I won’t grow up. ”

“ He isn’t worth bothering with. Certainly he isn’t worth losing your position for. If you get into a fight with him, you’ll both be discharged. Even though he is so hateful, he may have to work to help support his family. You wouldn’t like to be the means of doing the boy’s mother out of her son’s help, would you?”
“Aw, rats! He couldn’t support a mosquito,” jeered Teddy. “I’ll bet he’s a great, big, spoiled kid, that got fired from school just as I did. He’s no good.”
“Then if he’s no good, keep away from him,” retorted Harry sharply. ”

“ Harry looked pleased. Through the agency of Teddy he and the red-haired salesman were on very friendly terms. “And you say that this Mr. Jarvis is an efficiency man?”
[31]
“Yep; he’s crazy. That’s just the same thing. I’d like to say something about him to Mr. Everett, but I don’t know what to say or how to say it.”
“You’d better not.” Harry shook his head. “If Mr. Everett doesn’t know it, I don’t believe he’d like to hear it from his stock boy. If he does know it, then telling him that you know it, too, wouldn’t help him any. All you can do is to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. ”

“ Harry regarded Teddy with affection and appreciation. It didn’t much matter, he thought, if Teddy couldn’t keep out of mischief. He was truthful and honest, and that was what counted in a fellow who was one’s best chum. “What did that Howard Randall say? I suppose he didn’t say, ‘thank you?’”
“Well, he didn’t exactly say that, but—he—I—he isn’t such a mean kid, after all. He said he was sorry he tried to stick me for a nickel, and I’m not going to call him the elephant any more. We kind of made up.” ”

“ I can’t blame her now, but I’m sorry she feels that way toward me.”
“You can’t stop Niagara Falls, so you might as well let ’em go on falling,” consoled Miss Welch. “Just you keep out of her way and don’t let her get anything on you. If she gets too gay, put me wise and I’ll read her a few lines that she won’t find on her application card.”
“Oh, you mustn’t ever say a word to her, Miss Welch,” entreated Harry. “Now that I understand, I’ll try not to make her mad. I’m not afraid, you know. My mother says no one can really hurt a person if that person isn’t doing wrong himself.” ”

“ Untidiness, disobedience of orders, failure in lessons, bad behavior in school, in fact, all the things which you know to be wrong, but do wilfully, will put black marks on this card. Your aisle manager, or your teacher, can give them to you, and ten demerits mean that you will be sent to Mr. Keene’s office. He is the special superintendent for the boys, and it rests with him whether you stay in the store or not. But first of all it rests with yourselves, boys. It is just as easy to be neat and obedient and manly as it is to be untidy, disobedient and unruly. ”

“ Teddy tore it open, his hands shaking. The next instant a resounding war-whoop rent the quiet hall and floated up the stairs. Mrs. Burke wondered vaguely if the laundry man had suddenly gone mad. That unearthly whoop had surely not emanated from her listless, sober little son. In his exuberant joy, Teddy Burke did something of which he was ever afterward a trifle ashamed. He flung his two wiry little arms about Harry and hugged him. ”