The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-04-26
MIS- @ Z Z 7. a " z o U S
THE BANKERS CLERK.
BY r. II. ADDISON.

Michael Fleming was an excellent clerk
"a pains-taking clerk, in the well known
office (reader you have doubtless visited
itl of Messrs. Smith IL Co., in High street.
Such plain and straight forward direc-
ton is surely enough. feel it unnecess-
ary to add either the Christian name OF
the principal partner, or the surnames of
the juniors-the exact sort of traders they
were, or the precise town in which the said
High street was situate; such minute de-
tails would be but work of superroga-
ton.
Now, as | said before, Michael Flem-
ing was the very type of what a clerk
ought to be. He had no intelligence of
his own; his thoughts, like his letters.
seemed to be the transcript of others; he
knew no emotions; no maddening pulses
disturbed the even tenor of his life-in-
deed, people went so far as TO say, he had
no feeling at all, for he never sought the
company of female in his Hfe-he never
was known to give farthing in charity
he only drew one half of his salary-the
rest had accumulated in his EMPLOYERS
hands, and amounted already TO large
sum. His brother clerks called him
screw; old Smith looked on him as a trea-
sure.
Now, although you are without doubt
aware that Smith was cross little man,
yet must add, from personal experience,
that though testy and hasty, vet ne was
upright and fair in all his dealings; and
though severe to a fault in money mat
ters, could well appreciate generosity in
others. In addition to his bank I've let
his trade slip OUT he had some large farms,
round about the city where his firm had
for forty years fourished, and where, as
the old lady says, .'If he's not gone-he
lives there STILL
One of these farms was rented to an old
ana infrm couple who had seen better
days, and who yearly became poorer and
poorer, as their years increased and their
in6rnities too. To this farm would Mi
chael Fleming, however walk out every
Sunday after church; and, in the course of
time, it was discovered, that the compan-
ion of his promenade was sprightly and
artless maiden, the daughter of the newly
appointed postmaster, distant relation of
the old couple, who delighted in the name
of Scroope. When ice begins to thaw, it
melts quickly; so the heart of Michael
Fleming, once touched, rapidly unsteeled
itself; and in few months he was decla-
red the accepted lover of pretty Mary
Rigby.
Such was the position of my drandtis
perSOaR, when, one fine morning, old
Smith called Michael into his little back
den, desiring of him the account book Of
his farms. Michael walked slowly but he
was soon in the presence of bis superior,
who, taking up spectacles, throwing him
self back in his chair, and crossing his
right leg over the left, addressed him in a
somewhat sharp tone
Turn to Scroope's account
Michael did so.
How does it stand!'
Three quarters due last lady-day, sir
You know them believer
A bow from the clerk afforded an affir-
native to the banker.
Are they able to pay!
Il fear not, sir
Not even part!'
None, SIR
Then go and bundle them out, neck
and crop. I'll not have such people on
my farms.
They are old, sir: they have no means
of paying, grumbled Michael Fleming.
Sell their furniture; mark me, go and
get the necessary measures taken to sell
them up
They'll starve, sir.
That's their affair; yours is TO do as |
desire you.'
Certainly, SIR modestly replied Mi
chael; and taking up his book again he
left the room.
Old Smith felt a keen twinge about the
heart; but he was determined not to relent
1t would seem as if he was ruled by his
clerk--'pshawl it's their own fault NUT
tered the rich old banker, half aloud. Il
always pay my rent, or L should deserve
The same;' and with this salvo TO his con-
science, entirely forgetting the difference
between a millionaire and one of the mill
ion' the man of money got up and began
10 examine some doubtful, and consequent
y exciting debts in his ledger.
An hour after old smith was disturbed
IN ms semPloyment by the sudden entrance
of Michael, who looked sadly male and
tear trckled IN the corner of his eve.
You have been about the Scroones,,
Yes, sir-but It's not about thai s;r
took the liberty of entering.
We'll, then what is it,
I've bad news, sir-yery bad news |