The Alteration in Mr. Kershaw

THE ALTERATION IN MR. KERSHAW.
BY W. PETT RIDGE.
ILLUSTRATED BY ERNEST GOODWIN.

"I'VE knocked about a pretty tidy bit in my time—I'm as much as fifteen next birthday—and I don't write this story from the standpoint of a man who is ignorant of the world. I'm wonderfully observant, and I take notice of little incidents sometimes in a way that surprises even myself. Incidents, I mean, that other people overlook. The junior partner called me the other evening a sharp lad, and 'pon my word he wasn't far wrong. I don't wish to brag about it; I only wish to hint that what I don't notice isn't worth noticing. I've picked out a horse sometimes, and I've——
But I want to tell you about Mr. Kershaw.
Mr. Kershaw is one of the senior clerks in our office; he's the one with rather rough hair, and a collar turned down low all the way round. Most of the clerks are smart and wear high collars, and they wear neckties too that make me gasp. All nice gentlemanly fellows they were when I first came here, bar Mr. Kershaw. Mr. Kershaw was what I call a terror.
"Billing, why aren't these inkstands seen to?"
"Beg pardon, sir, but——"
"I've had to speak to you before about this, Billing."
"I can't do for

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