Fifty-Fifty

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David Briggs transferred from the dry goods counter to the management of the soda department, is peeved because he is compelled to wear a white coat, and is chagrined by the guying he receives from Jenny, for whom he has succeeded in obtaining a position as one of his assistants. Miss Astorocks, a wealthy society girl, has been robbed while drinking a glass of soda. Briggs succeeds in recovering the lost articles, and goes to Miss Astorocks' house to restore them. She has left orders with her butler that if a certain would-be suitor called, to throw him out. The butler mistakes Briggs for him, throws him into the street. Briggs, who has spent his last cent to taxi there, is compelled to walk home, a horrible distance, but as he passes the store in which he works he decides to sleep there for the night. He speaks to the night watchman about it and is permitted to lie down under one of the counters. This being too hard for comfort, he looks about for a better place, and discovers that one of the show windows has been dressed to represent a bedroom. He pulls down the street curtain, takes off his shoes, collar and coat, falls in bed and is soon asleep. Next morning the window dresser, without seeing Briggs, pulls up the curtain and leaves. Miss Astorocks determines to visit the department store to inquire about her jewelry. She is astonished to see an enormous crowd, hooting and laughing in front of one of the large show windows and on closer inspection, discovers Briggs sound asleep and snoring, with a sign on the bed: "Take me home for $4.50." After a hearty laugh, she seeks the manager and tells him she would like to take that which is in the window home with her. He does not understand what she means until he goes out and sees for himself. The sight that greets him nearly causes apoplexy and, rushing back into the store, pulls down the curtain, throws Briggs bodily from the window, and discharges him. Miss Astorocks pleads for him. The manager subdues his anger and forgives Briggs on condition of his never getting into another scrape. Briggs returns the stolen articles, and Jenny pleads with him to forgive her for guying, which he finally does.