Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-09-12


oversight; stern and exacting as he is,
have given him no cause for complaint:
and this is the end-this is my reward.
| am to be discharged to make room for
one of his friends connections. am
thankful | opened the lctter-now | can
prepare for his trcachcry.
With calmness that surprised him
self. the clerk sealed the letter, and
dropped it in the post as he had been di-
rected. On his way back to his employ
ment he called at the coun ting room of
a merchant, who as one of Beale's ac-
qnaintances he well knew. Richard
wished to make inquiries in a direct
way for situation, but while he was
striving to form some question to this
end the gentleman came to his relief. bv
asking if he knew any young man in
need OF a situation whom he could re-
commend to him, as he had vacancy
for clerk. Richard eagerly offered
himself. Mr.. Curtis WAS surprised that
he should wish to leave his old place.
but gladly accepted him. having long
admired the integrity and strict applica-
ton of the young man, whose praises
he had heard from Mr. Bcale. The
yearly salary was named; it was one
hundred dollars more than Richard was
now receiving; and having engaged to
enter on the fol- wing Tuesday he went
With hight heart to his old employ
mcnt. II did not mention his intention
to Mr. Bealc, and so TIE week passed
without Mr.. Curtis visiting the store.
He hoped that he had not met his en-
ployer, for Richard had wish that the
LITTER should not hear how his trcacher-
Gus scheme had been defeated till the
last moment.
On Monday evening Richard knock
ed at the door of Mr. Beale's room, and
in as few words rs possible requested
the wages due to him. as he was engag-
cd to so to another house on the NOR
row.
i have known Of your engagement
since Wednesday. replied Mr.. Beaie,
NJ. Curtis informed me of it. May
ask the motive If this secret and unusu-
al proceeding on your part? | believe
| gave YOU no cause for so sudden a ter
inination to quit my employment. did
-
No cause Richard repeated, bit.
tcrly. oh no sir. no cause, of course
the clerk is only the dupe, the slave
OF he mcrchant, and has no ght to
complain OF any conduct however iaiqui-
tous, Of which he is the victim
Your sarcasm is rather out of place,
replied Mr.. Bcale. coolly. i asked il
had given you any elase of offence. |
know have not--you falsely imagine
that | have, and thus imagining, yoa
have done yourself great injury. Nay,
no qucstions--l will tell you all. On
that day that Mr.. Oglethrop was here
noticed Il great alteration in your looks.
your words, your whole conduct. |
suspected at once that Philip had over
heard our conversation and repeated it
to you, IN consequence OF which you
were disturbed in mind. That was natu
raj. and was far from blaming you
but it afforded me an opportunity for a
test which | had peculiar reasons for de-
string to apply. penned, a brief note
to Mr.. O5tethrop, gave it to you t. seal
and watched you after proceeding from
that window. Ithonsht the temptation
would prove severe one, and that if
you arose superior to it | need never
have any fears concerning you. was
right, the temptation was strong--too
strong for your honor and integri-
ty to withstand, l saw you open the
letter, twas enough. | did not at all
wonder when | heard OF your applying
for a new situation; you thought that |
Was acting trcacAerously to you, and
that you would outwit me.
Mr.. Beale ceased, and looked fxedly
at Richard, whose whole countcnance
was sdfuscd with bushes as the true ma
ture of his conduct was brought calmly
20 his view In his indignant feelings
he had not till this moment thought Of
his direliction Of principle in opening
letter for his inspection; now he was
overwhelmed with shame and remorse,
for he was natural, upright and ingenu-
Gus. Mr.. Bcalc saw his confusion, and
turned to his desk to pay Richards S sala-
ry, but first taking some papers from a
secret drawer, threw them on the table
before the young man.
All this is at an end, now. but you
may see how unjust your supposition
was to me. how I'M urioas to yourself. as
| said a while ago.
Richards dyes were intently bent up
on the papers. One was in the mer-
chant handwriting a notice of Richard
Wilkins having been admitted as ju-
nior partner into his old and established
business firm; the others, were the nee
essary legal papers relating thereto.
Richard continued gazing upon them as
if fascinated, till the merchants voice
broke the spell.
well. young man, do you understand
the matter now:
oh, sir! said Richard, turning his
eyes imploringly on him. and then un-
able to repress his tortured feelings, ne
bent his head on the table to conceal