Part 47 (2/2)

”That's all right, Mr. Ringentaub,” Trinkmann declared; ”I would pay him thirty dollars a month and keep him for a year and longer if he wants to stay.”

Louis' gaze wandered from Max Maikafer to Trinkmann, and his lower lip jutted out and trembled with grat.i.tude.

”I mean it, Louis,” Trinkmann declared. ”I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

”Then in that case, Louis,” Ringentaub retorted, ”I would give you thirty-two fifty a month.”

Louis shook his head.

”I am working here by Mr. Trinkmann six years come this _Tishabav_,” he replied, ”and even if he would only say twenty-eight dollars I would of stayed anyway.”

Max Maikafer turned disgustedly to Ringentaub. ”Did you ever hear the like for a fool?” he said.

”Never mind, Maikafer,” Trinkmann interrupted, ”even if he would be satisfied with twenty-eight I wouldn't go back on my word. I will pay him thirty dollars a month, and, furthermore, Maikafer, you will see if he stays by me a year and does his work good, maybe--who knows--I would even pay him more yet.”

He held out his hand to Louis, who grabbed it effusively.

”When a feller's wife goes to work and has twins on him, Louis,” he continued, ”he ain't responsible for what he says exactly. Especially if they're both girls.”

Three weeks later Mrs. Trinkmann sat behind the cas.h.i.+er's desk, awaiting the luncheon customers, and her eye wandered to the vacant store across the street at the very moment when a wagon backed up against the curb and the driver and his helper unloaded two large signs.

”Trinkmann,” Mrs. Trinkmann called, ”some one rents the store acrosst the street.”

Trinkmann hastened to the door and glanced nervously toward the two signs. Beads of perspiration sprang out on his forehead as he discerned the lettering on one of the signboards, which read as follows:

FELIX RINGENTAUB

He uttered a faint groan and was about to communicate to Mrs. Trinkmann the melancholy tidings that a rival establishment had come into being, when the driver and his helper turned over the second sign. It contained the words:

TAILORS' AND DRESSMAKERS' Tr.i.m.m.i.n.gS

Hardly had Trinkmann recovered from his astonishment when Felix Ringentaub himself came hurriedly down the street, accompanied by Max Maikafer. A moment later they entered the restaurant.

”Why, how do you do, Mrs. Trinkmann?” Max cried, ”How's the twins?”

”Getting on fine,” Mrs. Trinkmann said.

”Shake hands with my friend, Mr. Ringentaub,” Max continued, as he looked meaningly at Trinkmann. ”Mr. Ringentaub, up to a couple of weeks since, used to was in the restaurant business in Brownsville. He goes now into the tailors' and dressmakers' tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs business instead.”

Trinkmann maintained a discreet silence and led them to one of Louis'

tables. There he sat down with them, for he was determined to get at the heart of the mystery.

”Mr. Maikafer----” he began, but Max held up his hand protestingly.

”Ask me no questions, Trinkmann,” he said, ”and I wouldn't tell you no lies. But one thing I will say, Trinkmann, and that is that Louis didn't know nothing about it. We conned you into keeping him and raising his wages. That's all. Am I right or wrong, Ringentaub?”

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