Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN SYNDICATE. hope they will be. Twenty five pesetas means five dollars.” Slowly he withdrew his hand from his pocket, bringing with it the entire available cash of the American Syndi- cate. From it he counted out twenty five pesetas, handed the amount to his secretary, and said: “ Permit me to make you an advance payment upon your salary.” CHAPTER X. A FINANCIAL CRISIS. THE secretary received the proffered money in his hand and held it there for a moment motionless, while his eyes sought the floor, and his expression and attitude indicated extreme embar- rassment. Joe watched him with some curiosity, for the young fellow’s dis- play of emotion seemed altogether dis- proportionate to the situation. . “His mother’s affairs must have been in a pretty bad way,” thought Joe; “he seems to be perfectly para- lyzed now that relief has come.” “Senor Barber,” said the secretary, presently, “ will you believe me when I tell you that I did not dream of your coming to my help; that I did not ex- plain our situation to you with any idea of getting an advance? ” “ Believe you? Of course I will,” exclaimed Joe, “ why shouldn’t I? ” The secretary gave a glance of hasty fright at his employer, and his dark face became crimson. “ But,” he stammered, “I have not yet earned this money.” “ You've come near enough to it, Mike,” responded Joe, good humor- edly, “and I can assure you that no American employee would feel the slightest hesitancy about getting an advance on his salary at any time when he might need the money for any pur- pose whatever.” “T thank you, then, senor, and youe yesterday.” shall never have occasion to regret your kindness.” 93 “TI don’t expect I shall so far as you | are concerned, Mike,” said Joe, with a mental reservation concerning that matter of regret as he recalled how in- significant: was the balance of cash he possessed, and how every hope of suc- cess hung upon replenishing his supply generously within the next day or two. The employer was still disposed to wonder somewhat at the excessive emotion displayed by the secretary, but it was characteristic of Joe that he speedily gave up speculation on an un- profitable topic like that, and bent his energetic thoughts to speculation of a more material nature. ‘“ Mike,” he said, “I shall send you out presently on some business, and when you go you may take time to give that sweetener to your landlord. If he makes any more trouble, send him to me. I will see that your mother has a roof over her head, anyhow. Now, as to business. The owner of the shop which I have hired has agreed to have it cleaned out and ready for use within a tew days. I want you to keep an eye on him, and see that he does not delay the operation. Meantime, that there may be no delay on our own part in getting the business started, I must ne- potiate for chairs and tables, and the other things that go with an outfit for selling ice cream. You will probably be able to help me in this by reason of your acquaintance——” Joe wheeled about sharply, for there was a knock at the door, and as it was opening, he rather expected ,to see Don Octavio, or, possibly, some other of the capitalists whom the had met the previous evening. It was not one of those mighty cit- izens of Ponce, but the porter of the American Hotel. ‘Pardon, your excellency,’’ said the porter, advancing with some embar- rassment, “ but I heard you making in- quiries about the boats to St. Thomas “Yes,” responded Joe, “and I learned that one is to sal fey ofa wm eo