Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-11-04
THE STORY TELLER.
THE SECRET BENEFACTOR.
BY MRS. E. C. LOWERING.


sat at a desk as the above named gentleman
entered his Office.
Charles Barchard colored with embarrass
ment. For moment his hand moved ner
Sously across his brow, and then raising hi:
handsome eyes to his employers face, he an
swered, in frank, steady tone:
Il have neglected to follow your instruc
tjons.'
sSirr
Il am sorry
Sorry cried Mr.. Lambert, angrily 'sor
ty, indeed! And this is the way you attend tt
my affairs. Well, if you think will pass
over this carelessness-'
Il beg your pardon said Charles, with ;
face like marble, but speaking in calm tone
Il am guilty of no carelessuess-I have en-
deavored to do my duty
Your duty was to follow my instructions
No. 90 has been losing business long enough
The family have had warning. You coulc
not have misunderstood. told you if the
rent was not paid before twelve o'clock yes
terday-'
Il visited the family replied Charles, and
it seemed to me that had you seen what saw
you would not have had me apply the extremi
ty of the law to their miserable case. They
are poor, sick and suffering. You would moi
have the heart to-
Charles Burchard,' exclaimed Mr.. Lam
bert, angrily, you are faithful, honest, capa-
Bile, and would not willingly part with you
but since you prefer your way of doing bust
ness 10 mine, and presume to dictate, it is
not proper that we should work together any
longer
i have thought myself said Charles, that
since cannot conscientiousIy pursue the ex-
tremes which you deem necessary, it will be
best for me to quit your service. l am ready,
he said, fixing his mild eyes upon Mr.. Lam
bert, am ready to CO.
well, sir, we will have settlement at
once. How much am indebted to you-whal
is your due
Nothing
'Nothingr
Cast your eye over this page
Yes, perceive. You have taken up your
wages lately as soon as they have become due,
said Mr. Lambert, who remembered his clerk S
fidelity and capacity, and was becoming soft
ened. This is new thing, however. But
presume you have been using your money ad-
vantageously.'
Il have tried to make christian use of it,
answered Charles, coldly.
Have you been dealing in stocks!
No, SIR
'Ah, you lost confidence in me and put your
money into other hands,
Il have neither made investments nor loans,
said Charles, with peculiar smile. What
small funds could raise, have used
'Yout'
yes, sir
Bless me, Charles. l thought you was a
steady young man and in what manner You
can have consumed your whole salary, | can
not conceive
And | presume | should be unable to ex-
plain it TO your satisfaction, sir. 1t is a sub
iect that can avail nothing to converse upon
If you get man TO take my place immediate.
ly, should be willing to save you the trouble
of instructing him in the state of your bust
ness
CERTAINLY, if you please, and you shall be
paid
. did not make the offer, expecting remu
neration. think have kept my accounts il
such manner that it will not require half ar
hour 10 make an intelligent man understand
the whole business
Charles, exclaimed Mr.. Lambert, Il dislike
to part with yon so. We have always agreed
until this time
six months ago. replied Charles Burchard
this family in No % could not pay their quar-
ter's rent. | had orders to turn them into tht
street. did not do it,
'But-but the rent was paid
you permitted me to give them few days
grace; you permitted this on my promise to
see that the rent was paid. You are right, i
scas paid the next quarters rent was paid
AT present they cannot pay. Knowing the
condition of the family, cannot follow YOU
Instructions
Well,' said Mr.. Lambert, hardening him
self, have rules with regard to persons ir
my employ which nothing can induce me tc
break. Justice is my motto it is a good one
l shall stand by it,
mercy is better one sometimes repliet
Charles, softly. Justice is admirable in all
but Mercy in the powerful is Godlike.'
Thus Mr.. Lambert parted with his faithful
clerk. Another soon took the place of Charlie
Burchard, and the latter was without a stu
alton.
About the first business Mr.. Carroll, th
new clerk attended to, concerned the poor fan
lily in No. %.
t..- They vacate the premises Immediately h
said to Mr.. Lambert but there is some my
terry about that family; they made ALT
sions to yourself which was unable to unde
stand
ITO mel
Yes, sir; they spoke of your kindness
MY kindness!' Mr.. Lambert colored
..,. The woman is an invalid, said Mr.. Ca
roll. The man is fine looking, iutelligel