Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-11-01
LIDO STERNBERG:
Or. Cireumstantial Evidence.

There was a certain heart-sinking
look about the seedy stranger, as MIR.
Talbot told him he was in need of no
help in his warehouse, which caused
that gentleman to look up again from
his ledger and eye the young man
more closely.
With half audible sigh, and with
an air of hopeless, utter dependency,
the object of his scrutiny turned to
leave the counting-room.
Stay a moment,young man what
can you do?'
4 have never been accustomed to
any kind of business except that OF
secretary, but | possess an excellent
education, and sufficient energy to
undertake and persevere in any pur-
suit that may offer itself
There was certain something in
the young man 'smanner that interest.
ed the good Mr.. Talbot. So he told
him to take seat beside him and an
swer few questions.
The young man pleased MIR. Tai
bot. A mutual confidence springlng
up between them, the stranger conf
ded to the good merchant his pressing
necessities.
He was Pole by birth; he had
been despoiled of home, fortune and
country at one blow. He had served
as a private secretary for sev-
eral years to an English nobleman,
but misunderstanding occurring be
tween them he had to come to this
country, and he had been here several
months, but not being able to get any
thing to do, he had spent his last
penny, and had not tasted any tood
for two days. Jom feui.s
Mr.. Talbot did not read him lee
ture on the uncertainty of human
prospects, but he put bis hand in his
pocket, and handing tolerably we'll
filed wallet to the stranger, bid him
90 and first make himself comfortable
with good clothes, and then return
to the counting-room, that he would
take him in his employ for the pres
ent, and that the contents OF the wal
let we're but part Of his salary.
With an expression of gratitude,
the stranger left Nh. Talbot, wallet in
hand. There was something in the lus-
tire of his large, earnest, grey eyes,that
told the worthy merchant he had not
misplaced his confidence.
lido Sternberg- entered into his new
occupation with a zeal and compre-
hension that showed Mr.. Talbothe had
not over estimated either his moral
or mental capacity.
Sternberg was employed to write all
Mr.. Talbot's most confidential letters,
and to attend to his most private ac-'
counts; for the merchant at that time
was deeply involved in several COM
plicated speculations, all of which, If
successful, were to benefit the whole
system of commerce.
After several months of unremlt-
ting labor the schemes ended In a
sudden failure. After honorably sat-
isfying the call of his creditors, who
|were involved through the unfortun-
ate speculations, Mr.. Talbot was ena-
bled to pursue his regular business,
though on much reduced scale.
/ "a professional friend of mine wish
es a secretary; will you accept the
situation, lido? The salary is good,
far better than anything I can offer
you, for just now, alas! can offer you
nothing. / mentioned you to my
! friend, telling him he could not lind
one more capable and more unexcep.
tionable in every way than yourself
Il cannot suthclently thank you ioi
your good opinion of me, and of your
care for me- replied Sternberg, warm
Ily. 4 will accept your friends offer
whatever it may be, on your recon-,
mendation, and | hope the result vii
prove your good word for me, not al
: unjust one.'
Mr.. Redfeld, the professional gen
, tleman, with whom Sternbefg noV
took up his abode, was lawyer o
) much repute, practising in the city
! and dwelling in much style, a shor
5 ride in the country.
Take care of yourself, lido, m.
) hoy said Mr.. Talbot, shaking stern
E barg's extended hand, and looking OF
). him with the fondness Of father.
!. 4 hope you viii not forget your r.. el'
5 5 friends for your new ones, said MIS- Z
Talbot, with a pretty blush 'fathe