Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-04-05

AS yet you only know yourself as young
Mark PercivaI, clerk for Parker & Co.,
with four hundred a year. Mark Perci-
val, ESQ.,, head of some well-established
firm, with an income of some FIVE or ten
thousand, is still unknown. You cannot
answer for his thoughts and feelings"
"Pshaw, Hirm. AS if money could
change my nature, or make me loose my
own identity" =.
"Wait till you are tried, Mark. No
ney is an all-powerful agent. 1t worketh
wonders"
"It would, indeed, il it could trans
form me into the calculating, money y-scra-
ping employer, unwilling to grant to those
who are toiling for him decent compen-
sation for their services. limited to
Parker, this morning, that my present sa-
larry was insufficient to supply my wants,
and he very coolly replied that 1 was at
liberty to seek another situation. A
pretty return for my long services"
GA very common instance of gratitude,
Mark. It is to his interest to get his
work done as cheaply as possible" b"
"And he thinks only of his own inte-
rest. That is what complain of. He
has no feeling for others. If ever have
a clerk, I shall consider him as human
being, and recollecL that he has the same
feelings and desires as myself"
"Possibly. We shall see," was the
provoking reply. .. ..
' Do you doubt it, Hiram %
F." Not exactly, Mark; but human ma
ture is human nature. We are too apt to
look out for our own interests. Wait till
you are tried.''
Fifteen years elapsed since the above
little incident, and we would introduce
the reader into a small, dimly lighted
room, in one of the most obscure streets
of the great city A niddle-aged. care
worn looking woman sat by the table,
busily plying her needle, while near her,
on low couch, lay young girl, whose
pale check and attenuateG form gave
evidence that she had been long a suffer
er. She was now in quiet slumber, and
the mother gazed fondIy upon her, while
the unbidden tear stole down her cheek,
and fell upon the garment which she held
in her hand.
"My poor Mary" she murmured.
"thou hast suffered much for one SO
young, but the will Of our Heavenly Fa
ther be done. My only wish now is to
to cheer thee on thy path with the thought
that there is a brighter world beyond"
At this moment, the sleeper aroused
and, with a look of earnest entrcaty, cX-
claimed
"Do. dear mother, lay by your sew
ing. This unceasing toll will certainly
make you i'll Surely it is unnecessary"
The widow checked rising sigh AS
she replied
al have promised TO finish this work,
tomorrow, Mary, and there is still much
: TO be done. You know it will not do to
disappoint those who employ me. Ano-
ther hour will make my task easy; and,
as your brother returns late this evening,
the work will beguile the time while l
am waiting for him. But, come, my love,
it is time you went to rest. Let me as
sist you to the bedroom. You have al
ready been sleeping on the couch" "."
I am weary, mother; but will not
leave you alone. Let Inc stay a little
longer. Henry will soon return"
Z" Not for a long time yet, dearest, and
it is better for you to retire. You will
feel the ill effects Of this fatigue to-mor-
row."
Yielding to her mothers persuasions,
Mary allowed her to perform her usual
) task of arranging her comfortably for
the night, and overpowered by the drow-
, siness which again crept over her, was
soon once more sleeping quietly, whilst
her devoted parent returned 10 the lit
tie sitting room, and resumed her sew
, ing.
Sad thoughts crowded upon her mind,
and often she was obliged to pause and
wipe away the gathering moisture which
obscured her sight. Still, however, she
persevered until near the midnight hour,
when well-known step was heard on
the sidewalk, the outer door was gently
opened, and, in another nome ent, a plea
SAINT, manipulating youth stood by her
side.
"Sewing at this late hour, dear mo-
ther this is not right" he said, attec-
tionately, as he pressed a kiss upon her
cheek, " You will wear yourself out.
Il trust not, Henry. You know that
my time is much Interrupted by the care
and attention which is necessary to be-
stow upon Mary, and must improve eve
ry leisure moment. She sleeps quietly
this evening"" rs a.
Poor Mary r' was the mournful re-
ply. I" She is evidently failing. Oh!
mother. you know not how it pains me
to think that my means are inadequate to
provide her with comforts which her stu
alton requires, and that you must toll in
cessantly to increase our little store"
"HaYe patience, Henry. You are yet
young No doubt your salary will in
crease in time
True, mother, am young; but
thanks to the instructions of my dear ia
ther, am competent to fill the situations
of those much older and more experien-