The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-01
4 Sfleftfo Tale.
TksE SECRET EFNEFACToR.
BY MRs. e. c. LOWERING.

BY MRS. f. c. LOWERING.
"Have you attended to the busi' ess spoke
of particularly, yesterday" asked Mr.. Lam
bert, wealthy owner of real estate, address
ing an intelligent, fair looking young man,
who sat at desk, as the above named gentle
man entered his Office.
Charles Burchard colored with embarrass.
ment. For minute his hand moved ncr-
vously across his brow, then raising his hand
some eyes to his employers face, he answered
in frank, steady tone:
Il have neglected to follow your instruc-
tions''
"Sirw
81 am sorry"
"Sorry" cried Mr.. Lambert. angrily, ''sor-
ry, indeed! and this is the way you attend to
my affairs! Young man, if you think l will
pass over this carelessness-"
Il beg your pardon" said Charles, with
face like marble, but speaking in a calm tone,
81 am guilty of no carelessness, have endea-
vored to do my duty"
"Your duty was to follow my Instructions.
Number twenty three has been aloosing bust
ness for me long enough. The family have
had warning. You could not have misunder-
stood. l told you that if the rent was not
paid before twelve o'clock yesterday"
Il visited the family" rcJoined Charles,
e'and it seemed to me that had you seen what
saw, you would not have had me apply the
extremity of the law to their miserable case.
They are very poor--tllcy are sick-they are
suffering. You would not have had the heart
to-"
"Charles Burchard," exclaimed Mr.. Lam
bert, angriIy, "you are faithful, honest, capa.
ble--and | would not willingly part with you;
but since you prefer your way of doing bu>i.
ness to mine, and presume to dictate, 1t is not
proper that we should work together any lon
ger"
Il have thought myself" said Charles, ''that
since cannot conscientiously pursue the ex-
tremes you deem necessary, it will be best to
quit your service. l am ready" he added,
fixing his mild eye upon Mr.. Lambcrt's face,
81 am ready to GO"
SWELL sir we will have settlement at
once. How much am indebted to you!--
What is your due!"
Nothing"
"Nothing How--how is thiss''
s'You will see Cast your eye over this
ayes perceive--you have taken up your
wages lately, as soon as DUE" said Mr.. Lam.
bert who remembered his Clerks fidelity and
capacity was becoming softened. "This is
new thing, however. But presume you have
been using your money advantageously
81 have triec to make Christian use of it,
answered Charles, cool!y.
"Have you been dealing in stocks?"
sNo sir'
sAh, YOU lost confidence in me, and thought
proper to put your money into other hands !"
"Ihave neither made investments nor loans"
said Charles, with peculiar smile, "what
small funds | could command have used"
"Youw
ayes sir'
"Bless me, Charles! thought you a stea-
dy young man and how can you have con-
sumed your entire salary | am unable to con.
ceiye."
"And presume should be unable to ex-
plain it to your satisfaction sir. 1t is subject
which it can avail nothing to converse upon.
If you get man in my place Immediately,
should be willing to save you the trouble of in
structing him in the state ofyour business"
"Certainly-if you please-and you shall be
paid"
Il did not make the offer, expecting remu-
neration. trust that | have kept my accounts
in such manner that it will not require half
an hour to make an intelligent man under
stand the entire business.
"Charles," exclaimed Mr.. Lambert, 81 dis.
like to part with you so. We have always
agreed until this time"
"Six months ago." replied Charles Burch.
ard, 'this family in No. % could not pay their
quarters rent. had orders to turn them into
the street. did not do it,
"But-but the rent was paid"
"You permitted rue to give them few days
grace; you permitted this on my promise to
see that the rent was paid. You are right
was paid; the next quarters rent was paid.
At present, they cannot pay. Knowing the
condition of the family, cannot follow your
instructions"
"We,l," said Mr.. Lambert, hardening him
self, 81 have rules with regard to persons in
my employ, which nothing can induce me to
break. Justice is my motto 1t is a good
one shall sland by it."
"Meyey is o better one, sometimes" replied
Charles. softly. "Justice is admirable in all
but mercy in the powerful is godlike."
Thus Mr.. Lambert parted with his faithful
clerk. Another took the place of Charles
Burchard, and the latter was without situa-
tion. -,
About the first business Mr.. Carol, the new
clerk, attended to, concerned the poor family
in No. %. :,
"They vacate the premises Immediately"
be said to Mr.. Lambert "But there is some