Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

Page 30 text:

In brief, Grenvil ' s proposition was this: Barnstone was to remain in the employ of the American Company for several weeks — at least long enough to find out what the firm was going to bid at the next stockholder ' s meeting. Kichard shook his head, for he knew that to give Grenvil this bit of knowledge would mean a great financial loss to his present employers. It would be play- ing false to the company with which he had been so long connected to quietly resign from the American Company and transfer to the Grenvil-Parker Estab- lishment as Junior partner with five hundred dollars a month and promised advancement. Kichard begged leave to consider the matter until the next morning when he would let him know his decision. Grenvil agreed and impressed upon him the facts that no one would ever know about this little business, that he would be perfectly safe, and that he had a perfect right to change positions if another offered better opportunities. Barnstone returned to the office with a heavy heart and a cloudy mind. He could not work. He had to think this thing out — get it off his mind. He left the office and started home, although it was only mid-afternoon. As he walked his mind became clearer and he was able to think. Why shouldn ' t he accept Grenvil ' s offer? He was under no obligations to his company and there was no reason why he should stay with them if someone else offered a better salary. But his inner-self answered, Would you enjoy the results of this better offer if it is obtained by deceit and underhanded schemes ? ' ' Richard knew that it was not an honorable plan and that his transference would not be a loyal thing. To disclose the knowledge that Grenvil was desirous of having was any- thing but the deed of a gentleman. But the money! That salary which would increase the bank account that some day was to put Dickie through college. Richard ' s heart beat rapidly as he thought of the increased advantages of a boy who has money behind him. No one would know of it. Hadn ' t Grenvil said that he would keep it quiet? And then — -what was there really to be ashamed of? He would merely transfer from one company to the other, an act which was being done every day. Arguing and arguing, he finally determined to accept the offer. It was late afternoon when he turned his steps toward home. The little place looked like a fairy ' s castle. The tiny white cottage enshrined in trees; the rows of white and yellow chrysanthemums ; it was truly a scene that would grace fairyland. Richard entered the house very quietly for it seemed as if there was a charm on the little home. He seemed afraid of breaking the quiet and peace that reigned. He opened the door and before him was as pretty a picture of home, com- fort and happiness as any man could wish. His wife, Beatrice, was sitting before the fire, telling little Dick, who sat at her feet, a fairy story The flame

Page 29 text:

wt GOLDm afuywmw EMALYN COLLINS, ' 22. ICHARD Barnstone rose as usual on this October morning, had breakfast with his wife and little son, Dick, and left for the office with his customary cheerfulness. In the morning mail, he received an invitation to lunch from Mr. David Grenvil, who stated that he wanted to see Mr. Barnstone on business. Richard was perplexed and at the same time a little flattered to think that the senior partner of the great company of Grenvil-Parker would ask him to lunch. The more he thought of it, the more perplexed his mind became and when he left the office at noon on his way to lunch with the noted Mr. Grenvil, he was in a state of great anxiety. Now, Richard was merely an under-secretary in the head office of the firm which was a bitter rival of the Grenvil-Parker establishment. Nevertheless, when a meeting of importance was called, Barnstone was generally included among those present, and his opinion in serious matters was by no means disregarded. He was recognized as a man of sane judgment and high ambitions, mingled with the courage and confidence of youth. It was in vain that Richard wondered what Grenvil could want with him and what the important business was that he wished to discuss. On arriving at the club, he was met by Mr. David Grenvil, a small nervous man, who, after few preliminaries stated his business. He began by tactfully ridiculing Richard ' s present salary, which Richard had to admit was only moderate, even though it had been large enough to support himself, his wife and son, Dickie, and to a afford a small bank account which he hoped some day would be large enough to give Dickie a fine education. His highest ambition and goal was to educate his son and to give him every advantage that was in his power. As these thoughts were going through his mind, Mr. Grenvil continued. It ' s preposterous, thumping the floor with his cane, to think that a fine young man of 3 our experience and knowledge should stay in that office, receiving a meager sum of one hundred and fifty dollars a month! A man of your ambition and high ideals ought to be getting five hundred a month and I am here to offer it to you! Richard listened, attentive yet doubtful, expectant but hesitating. Five hundred dollars per month would increase that little bank account much beyond Richard ' s expectations.

Page 31 text:

in the fireplace sent a soft glow over the room, the only light. Richard, weary with the day ' s problems, sank in a nearby chair and listened. Beatrice, un- aware of his entrance, was saying: Vallalila and Granmer were brother and sister and lived with their old grandmother in a beautiful valley, where there were lots of flowers and trees, and where the sun shed its warm rays upon their little home and where the raindrops played upon the cottage roof. Vallalila was a golden-haired girl as bright and cheerful as the beams that come from the sun. But Granmer was dark-haired and had black eyes. Sometimes he was dark and ugly like the sky in a storm and the flashes from his eyes were as bright and keen as those of the lightning. Most of the time, however, he was like his sister and they spent many happy hours together in the woods. One beautiful day in October, when many, many leaves had fallen on the ground, Vallalila and Granmer were playing. Suddenly, the little girl gave a cry and when Granmar ran to her, he found her bending over a large beautiful, white flower. At it ' s side grew a large yellow one. Granmer. attracted by the bright gleams of the yellow, seized it and cried, Oh! Oh! Oh! Aren ' t they beautiful 1 Mine is the prettiest ! You can have the pale white ones, but I like yellow! But Vallalila was very pleased with hers and broke it from the stem and ran to her grandmother. When Granmer plucked his from the stem, he felt it grow hard in his hands and turn to solid gold. But he was overjoyed! He ran to his grandmother and she told them that the flowers were called chrysan- themums, and had probably been planted there by the Fairy of Fate. The golden chrysanthemum will bring you boundless wealth, she told Granmer. But dear Vallalila, she said as tears fell from her eyes, Fate has de- creed that you will have to suffer for the joys of another. Oh, no! cried Granmer, She will never suffer, for I won ' t let her! I ' m going to take care of her forever and ever. Poor Granmer ! He little knew that he was to be the cause of all her sorrow. For several years the two children were happy and played together in their valley. But one day, Granmer grew tired of his life there, so taking his golden chrysanthemum, he kissed his sister good-bye and left for the larger world beyond. Vallalila was very sad for she loved Granmer dearly. One day in October Granmer had left his mansion and was walking down the long walk to the waiting carriage. It was a beautiful day and the storm on his face appeared to have somewhat abated. He was inspecting the lawn as he walked and an attractive bunch of flowers growing near the well caught his