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Page 7 text:
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THE SECRET BENEFACTOR A TRUE STORY By Theodore Salvat SHORT STORY CONTEST WINNER AVE you attended to the business I spoke of particularly yesterday?” asked Mr. MacDonald, a wealthy owner of real estate, addressing an intelligent, fair looking young man who sat at a desk, as the above named gentleman entered his office. John Benson colored with embarrassment. For the moment his hand moveJ nervously across his brow, then raising his handsome eyes to his employer's face, he answered in a frank, steady tone: I have neglected to follow your instructions.” Sir?” I am sorry—” Sorry!” cried Mr. MacDonald angrily, sorry indeed, and this is the way you attend to my affairs! Young man, if you think I will pass over this carelessness—” I beg your pardon,” said John, with a face like marble, but speaking in a calm tone, ' I am guilty of no carelessness. I have endeavored to do my duty. Your duty was to follow my instructions. No. 23 has been losing busi- ness for me long enough. The family have had warning. You could not have misunderstood me. I told you that if the rent was not paid before twelve o’clock yesterday—” I visited the family,” rejoined John, and it seemed to me that, had you seen what I saw, you would not have had me apply the extremity of the law to their miserable case. They are very poor, they are sick, and they are suf- fering. You would not have the heart to—” John Benson, exclaimed Mr. MacDonald angrily, you have been in mv employ two years. I have found you faithful, honest, capable, and would not willingly part with you, but since you prefer your way of doing business to mine, and presume to dictate, it is not proper that we should work together any longer.” I have thought myself,” said John, that since I cannot conscientiously pursue the extremes you deem necessary, it will be best for me to quit your service. I am ready,” he added fixing his mild eye upon Mr. MacDonald’s face, I am ready to go.” Well, sir, we will have a settlement at once. How much am I indebted to you? What is your due?” Nothing.” Nothing! How—how is this?”
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Page 8 text:
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T tg Cjolden Roc) You will see. Cast your eyes over this page. Yes, I perceive you have taken up your wages lately, as soon as due,” said Mr. MacDonald, who remembering his clerk’s fidelity and capacity was becom- ing softened. This is a new thing, however. But I presume you have in- vested your money advantageously? I have tried to make a Christian use of it,” answered John coldly. Have you been dealing in stocks? No, sir.” Ah, you lost confidence in me and thought proper to put your money in other hands!” I have neither made investments nor loans, said John, with a peculiar smile. What small funds I could command, I have used.” You!” Yes, sir.” Bless me, John! I thought you a steady young man, and how you can have consumed your entire salary I am unable to conceive.” And I presume I should be unable to explain it to your satisfaction, sir. It is a subject which it can avail nothing to converse upon. If you get a man in my place immediately, I should be willing to save you the trouble of instruct- ing him in the state of your business.” Certainly if you please and you shall be paid—” I did not make the offer expecting remuneration. I trust that I kept my accounts in such a manner that it will not require half an hour to make an intelligent man understand the entire business.” John,” exclaimed Mr. MacDonald, I—I dislike to part with you so. We have always agreed until this time.” Six months ago,” replied John Benson, this family in No. 23 could not pay their quarter’s rent. I had orders to turn them into the street. I did not do it.” But—but the rent was paid.” You permitted me to give them a few days’ grace; you permitted this, on my promise to see that the rent was paid. You are right, sir—it was paid; the next quarter’s rent was also paid. At present they cannot pay. Knowing the condition of the family, I cannot follow your instructions.” 'Well,” said Mr. MacDonald hardening himself, I have rules with regard to my tenants which cannot be broken. I have rules with regard to persons in my employ which nothing can induce me to break. Justice is my motto. It’s a good one; I shall stand by it.” Mercy is a better one, sometimes,” replied John, softly. Justice is admir- able in all—but mercy is the powerful, it’s God-like.” 6
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