The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-09-24
EVANSVILLE IND. MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER "a, /
Gbt 1ailp gonrnal.
MARRYING A CLERK;
OR, THE MERCANTILE DAUGHTER
BY WARREN t. ASHTON.

"Why should he not, indeed! Did he think
1 would demean myself by playing whist with
new clerk-one Of my fathers sservants.''
and Sophia tossed her head IN disdain.
Il can see no improperly in your associa-
ting with him, Sophia. He is certainly hand
some, intelligent, and well-behayed young
man.
Behaves well enough, for ought I know
but only Think oft, clerk in drawing room!
For my part | wonder how father could ever
think of such thing as admitting him into
the familyl'
81 suppose it was because he liked the looks
of him.
'sWhat will Mr. Augustus F'itzherbert say,
when he finds us associating with poor clerks
the trash ofthe cdunting-rooms?''
"It matters little to me what he thinks; he
is aconceited puppy, and l wonder that you
can endure his presence any longer" replied
Mary, smartly.
"But he is the leader Of the ton Mary" said
Sophia, astonished at the plebian notions of her
sister.
ale is perfect firt, for all that, and inf
nitely inferior, in all that constitutes man, to
Mr.. Harlowe, whom you affect to despise."
The conversation was interrupted by the en-
trance of Mr.. Danvers.
GLOW could you bring that horrible clerk
into the house, papa?" said Sophia, as the
merchant prince seated himself by the blazing
CRATE.
"Horrible clerk pray what is the matter
with him? asked Mr. Danvers, evineing some
surprise at the plain speech of his daughter.
"Why he is a clerk"
'But respectable young man."
Respectable enough, but not fashionable,
papa"
II was clerk once Sophia; l commenced
by sweeping out store and carrying bundles
about the city, s
'.How absurd you talk, papa"
hBut Mr.. Harlowe is a very estimable young
man; am confident that you will find him
very agreeable company"
81 shall have nothing to say to him, replied
Sophia, with shrug of the shoulders.
Beware Sophia, there is an old proyerb,
you know, about entertaining angels una
wares.''
Sophia laughed heartily at the idea of poor
clerk being an angel.
ssBut what says Mary?' asked the fher-
chant, turning to his gentle-hearted daugh-
ter.
"Oh, like him very much; we are already
fast friends, I" replied Mary, and a slight blush
seemed to emphasize the remark. <.,f
"Just like her. papa; | should not wonder
if she got head over heels in love with your
mercantile angel" Frs
''She must do as she pleases about that
replied Mr.. Danvers, smiling. ~.
"Pooh, Sophyl who said anything about
falling in love? Can't body be civil to a
young gentleman without being in love with
him?"
The pretty Mary blushed as she spoke in
good earnest-so palpably blushed that her
father began to think the affair was something
more than a mere jest.
"But pray, papa, when does your new part
ner arrive?a asked Sophia 'If all the ac-
counts have heard of his wit, gallantry, and
personal attractions are true, shall certainly
set my cap for him."
'He will appear one of these days" replied
Mr.. Danvers. tt
81 hope you will not keep this stupid clerk
in the house after he comes:'
II certainly shall"
"But papa, we shall lose caste if we dot
is really abominable.''
"Small loss, my child; if we are dependent
upon the apes and puppies of fashionable life
for our position in society, the sooner we lose
it the better for our own self-respect" said Mr..
Danvers, good humoredly.
'You are absurd, papa"
tNow, Sophy, you have given me lesson;
let ME give you one. The idol you worship
is more senseless than those of the Fejee Is
lands Fashionable society is as hollow as a
brass pan; place no reliance upon it. Tie
fops and fools who follow in your train are as
sculless as they are brainless."
II wish Mr.. Augustus Fitzherbert could
hear you say so,'' added Sophia.
"Mr. Augustus Fitzherbert was a journey
man barber in New Orleans less than year
ago had the honor of being shaved by him
last winter when l was there"
"Oh, horrid, papa! why have you not ex-
posed hime'
"Why should /, my child? He is as good
a fellow, as sensible person, and, according to
your statement, as fashionable man as Mr..
Finstock, whose great-grandfather was Gov
ernor of the State"
eIs. it possible that Mr. Fitzherbert was a
barber' exclaimed Sophia, Mortified at the
appalling truth
"Nothing else, my child
can impostort' added Mary.
"Just so; probably he is aiming to obtain a
rich wife,
at is abominable declare! One hardly
knows nowadays who is respectable and who
is not" said Sophia.
Therefore, my child, we ought not to speak
so disparagngly of persons in humble life, as
you have done tonight"
pooh, clerki'
! At this moment Mr. Harlowe, the new clerk,
entered the room, and as Sophia would have
Expressed, had the impudence to seat himself
by the side of Mary Danvers, who appeared
not at all averse to this close proximity Wltn
him.
| Frederick HarlcEe was, as Mary mad sad,