Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AT6 ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE. “ «New trails?’ ” echoed Osgood, in in- credulous dismay. “When I’m _ past forty?” “That’s only a start,” answered Lemp ics reflectively. A man doesn’t begin to think till he’s past forty, Tom. Id like to blaze a new trail—somewhere—myself.” He was thinking of the old dream that he and Eunice had laid by. ‘But you don’t,” observed Osgood slyly. “You stay right here in New York.” inference was unmistakable. “It is not because I am afraid to try that I do not blaze that trail,” he answered quietly, “I owe this old town a debt which I can never repay. It taught me, early in the game; to conquer fear.” But Tom Osgood had not heard the words. His mind, turning constantly in- ward through stress of his plight, had re- turned to that job he so ardently desired. “That’s the situation, Ed,” he imparted huskily, throwing all his scattered forces in- to a final, despairing appeal. “ I’m offering you my services forthe best money you can give me to start? I don’t think I ought to get less thea the Apex people paid me; but we couitl adjust that, T think. And, if T get the chance, Ill give that new relative of the Apex manager, who’s grabbed my job, a run for his money, Ill promise you that!” Wriggling in his chair, he pursued his theme with the fierceness of a cornered rat. “ Abbie feels the same as I do. When I left she felt the thing, turning out as it has, with Prentiss leaving, was a chance from Heaven. I can’t bear to think how she'll feel if I go back, licked, and tell her I couldn’t get it. Put yourself in my place, Ed! 2) ie He stared hungrily again and summed up, with a tremor in his voice: “Tf I get the chance, ’m your. debtor for life. If I don’t, 'l take the train back to Rochester in the morning and see if there’s something else I could pick up, though it’s dull im the old town just now. But I’ve got to do something; I haven't much—money.” He stopped, swallowing dr yly, and mute- ly watched Lemp, who ‘sat pondering. It was a problem he had to settle. Old friend- ship, inexplicable as he now felt it to have been, won with him. He looked up. “Tom,” he said, “ you have been misinformed regarding my posi- tion with the Peerless concern, I think. I am not the sales manager, but the office manager. “Hugh Lloyd, the sales manager, is out of town. He will return to-morrow or the next day. I will use my influence to pro- cure for you an interview with him at the earliest motnent after he returns. You must “do your best to sell yourself to him. Lloyd is a mighty good fellow; but in business he’s the perfection in that anomaly of modern business that makes for results—a hard-headed razor.” He was eying Osgood sharply. Tom shivered timorously, forgetting in his rag- ing egotism even to thank. Lemp for this — evidence of interest. “T’ve heard of him,” he said, “‘ from Pren- tiss.” His tone trembled. ‘“ But I'll do my best to please him, if he gives me the- chance.” “ All right.” Lemp rose; he had heard quite enough of this sort of talk. ‘ You’ve had a long trip, following a sleepless night,” he suggested kindly. ‘ You’d better turn in ‘now and get some sleep. Perhaps Lloyd will get back to-morrow; he’s coming from the West. And you will need to be at your best to talk with him.” “Yes, Ed; that’s a good idea, I guess,” dully answered Osgood, getting to his feet. “Youre mighty fme, old man. Will you see Lloyd after I do, and say all you can for me?” : Lemp nodded as he surveyed the pitiful figure, this little man near middle life who was palpably so close to the end of his re- sources, who had not even the asset of a “bluff.” As was always the case in per- sonal affairs, his warm heart rose in arms against his cold business judgment. He nodded silently, while the tongue ‘of his mind murmured: “ Yes, you poor little mutt, PH say all I can for you—and more!” He showed Osgood to his room and light- ing his pipe, picked up the volume by Du- mas, and resumed reading the adventures of three fearless musketeers. He heard Tom stirring about in his y i) comicbooks-com