The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-03-30

my store, and it Is right that should have
the benefit of it !; that is why not"
"True, sir. But Ihave gained my knowl
edge by hard labor too, and / don't know
why should not use it for my own benefit.
If cannot earn more than now have
must try some other business"
"lf is absolutely necessary that YOU have
more money have no Objection to adding
smother hundred to your salary, and that /
consider extra pay for one of your age and
experience Go to work now, and let me
hear no more about your leaving me-" Mr..
Dickson then turned and left William to hi,
own reflections, which were any thing but
pleasant. -... .
Even with the addition ofanother hundred
he did not feel satisfied, and he determined
to better his situation if possible lie watch
ed all the advertisements for clerks, aud an.
swered "evcra by APPLYING in person. But
lie found that the first thing required was re-
ference, aud no one would accept his sppli-
cation without certificate from lis last en-
pIoyer-and his only alternative was to
make the best of what he got.
Meantime he succeeded. through much ex.
ertion. in getting II chance for his friend ON
board European barque and John was Oh
ligcd TO leave without making his benefactor
whole for the expense he had incurred but
he gave him the assurance, THAT if his life
was spared the time shoutd come when the
debt should be donbly paid"
"Gou are welcome thrice welcome, and
success attend you," was Williams parting
blessing; and the friends separated in doubt
whether they should ever meet again
Days and months and years passed by and
still William We>tmore stood ut the counter
of Mr.. Dickson. BY the many attempts
which he had made to change his place he
at least succeeded in getting his salary i'll
creased by the little from time, until now,
after an apprenticeship of ten years, he was
enjoying the enormous sum Of five hundred
q year. That WAS the most Mr.. Dickson
would allow him, but still refused to give him
u chance to do better.
William was just entering his twenty-third
year, an in the course of human events
since, he had become Of age and mingled in
the society of the young and beautiful, one
had crossed his path who had left shadow
Oh his heart. He was still only clerk, and
only poor clerk. Whether or not he had
a right to love the young and beautiful Miss
Adahne Lincoln was a query but he did
so, nevertheless Mr.. dickson had heard
such a report, and he felt exceedingly anxi-
ouS lest the next thing would he an increase
of salary to support wife, He WAS not
much ahead of the news, either, for verv
soon he was honoscd with call from an un-
Gle Of the Young lady, who acted a. her
guardian. Mr.. Dickson took the stranger
into his private office where the following
conversation eusued
"My name is Lincoln, sir-and | have
called to make some inquiries respecting a
young man in your employ" said the vister
My clerk, do yOu meant Mr.. West
more !" asked Mr.. Dickson.
"1he same, sir lie has been paving his
addresses to young lady, niece Of mine,
who is under my protection. desire to
know what are his qualifications"
| "Well, sir, consider him honest and. to
n certain degree, faithful, rs clerk Far
| ther than that have not much to say about
| HIM"
"What are his business qualifications I"
I "Well--he has none, guess"
"What sallry does he command 7"
II give him five hundred, but he could
not get that anywhere else. He hus been
| with me good while, and can do little
better for me than he. could do for any one
else"
"rhat would hardly pay the bills Of fam
| ily."
Then he thinks Of marrying your niece,
eh Z"
That depends somewhat on your opinion
OF the scheme
swell, ifyou want my opinion, should
+ say thathe has rs much as he can do, and
do it well, to take care of 'himslf. lie is
a mere boy in experience, andif he should
leave me he could not earn enough, with q
family, to keep himself out ofthe alnshorse.
This is between ourselves, Of course. do
not wish to injure the boy"
''Certainly. / understand you, sir, and
am much obliged to you for your informa-
ton. That is all | wish. Good day, sir
Good day responded Mr.. dickson smii-
!ngIy, as his visiter departed. .l.
Il guess have secured him for another
year" said he to himself, as he closed the
door on Mr. Lincoln and returned 10 his
counting room. .......'..
|, Mr. Lincoln looked thoughtful and sad as
he returned home. itwas his duty 10 acQuaint
his niece with the result Of his interview with
+ Mr.. Dickson, whom he regarded as q inan