Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-09-12
4 Goo0 5torjl.
THE MERIHAETS TEST.

Dick, am afraid the old naa has tax
en- it into his head to send You airtt.
'Why what do yna mean. Philip
.Oaly that he was talking very earnest
Is with Mr.. Oglethrop as | went into
his room Just now. and as they ceased
very discrcctly on my entrance, took
the liberty OF waitin.; outside the door
till the conversation was rcsun Il. anl |
heard enough to satisfy me that Osle-
threp has nephew who is about to take
your place.
W hat did you ovcrhe II :,
Merely sentence from each. Osle-
tArop said, so YOU ;hink my nephew
will have no difficulty in filing the place
OF your head cierl. : and Bea!e replied
y rae whatever; the other clerk. Philip
Walicn, has been in my establishment a
long time, and can give him 4 little in
81 itht lnto or business Affairs If neel be.
! did not wait Il hear more, but tina. is
enough, | think.
80 it would seem,' was the reply, in
a tone Of deep dcsponacncy.
1t IS mean iii the old man to diseharge
you, AMI equally strange if it was me-
now, | should not taink it SO odd, but he
has all along seemed 10 think SO much
Of You. But its just like him, always
doing something ont Of the common WY.
Richard Wilkins was too sick at heart
to -eply. II turned to the d ssk a,ld en-
deivored to concentrate his wander z
thoughts upon his work, but in vain.
The pen dropped from his fingers, and
leaning his head on his hand he gave full
scope to his sorrowtul and indignant
feelings. When the two gentlemen
emerged from Mr.. Beale's private room
he started like one guilty OF secret
crime. and snatching the pen pretended
to be all absorbed in his duties. His
harried manner, so different from his
usual quiet co~posure, was noticed by
his employer, who drew his own conclu-
sions tnereirom. Mr.. o. Oslethrop was re-
turning to his home in Baltimore. His
friend accompanied him to the steam
DO It, and on returning closely obs .rve1
his two clerks as he saant.red back and
forth through the store. Philips APP
pearance indicated nothing unusuuA
But Richard. though he had partially re-
gained his customary composure, could
not prevent slight hesitancy and con-
straint when replying to Mr.. Bcale 5
casual remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Beale brought
Richard letter to seal and deposit i'll
the post-office as he went to dinner, AT
the same time he sent Philip to a neigh
boring store on business, which would
detain him some little time, he then re-
turned to his private room. Left tc
himself. Richard gazed on the super,
scription of the letter long and earnest
ly. ID. Oglethrop, Esq. BALTIMORE
the words seemed burned into his brain
What would he not give to know the
contents of that letter. Doubtless il
related to the nephew who was to sup
plant him. Richard hesitated, turning
the letter over and over. Why could h
not glance into it 1t was not sealed
he would hetray no confidence by doing
so-most of the business letters were
given him to answer, and certainly to NJ
one living would he reveal the contents
whatever they might be. These rehec
tions overcame his strong repugnance tt
the act, with trembling hand he openet
the letter and read
"DEAR SIR-I wish your nephew TO arriv,
If possible, by Tuesday. the thirteenth. as on
that day young Wllkins' year will have ex-
pired, and it is desirable that his successor
should be on the spot to enter Immediately OF
his duties.
Truly yours. J. BeALE.
The blood mounted to Richards brow
as he read. For an instant he forgot tn
consequences to himself of the threaten
ed blow Of indignation at his employer
duplicity. -Four years ago.; he mur
mnYod hifkarI.r