Mountain Democrat., 1857-12-05
The Merchants Test,

Dick, am afraid the old man has
taken it into his head to send you adrift." "
Why, what can you mean, Phillip"
"Only that he was talking very earn
estly with Mr.. Oglcthrop as | went into
his room just now, and as they ceased
very discrectly on my entrance, took the
liberty Of waiting outside the door till the
conversation was resumed, and heard
enough to satisfy me that Oglcthrop has a
nephew who is about to take your place"
What did you hearY'
Merely sentence from each. Oglc-
thrOp said, so you think my nephew
will have no difficulty in fulfilling the
place of your head clerk and Bcalc re-
piled, None whatever; the other clerk,
Philip Walden, has been in my establish
rnent a long time, and can give him a lit
tic insight into our business affairs if need
be- | did not wait to hear more, but it
is enough, | think"
So it would secm," was the reply, in
tone Of deep dcspondcncy.
/" 1t is mean in the old man to discharge
you, and equally strange; if it was me
now should not think it so odd, but he
has all along seemed to think so much Of
you. But SJust like him, always doing
something out of the common way"
Richard wilkins was too sick at heart
to reply. lie turned to the desk and en-
dcavorcd to concentrate his thoughts up.
on his work, but in vain. The pen drop
ped from his fingers, and leaning his head
on his hand he gave full scope to his sor-
rowful and indignant feelings. When the
two gentlemen emerged from Mr. Bealc's
private room, he started like one guilty Of
secret crime, and snatching the pen
pretended to be all absorbed in his duties.
His flurricd manner, so different from his
usual quiet composurc, was noticed by
his employer, who drew his own conclu-
siOns thercirom. Mr.. Oglcthrop was re-
turning to his home in Baltimore. His
friend accompanied him to the steamboat,
and on returning closely observed his two
clerks as he sauntcred back and forth
through the street Philips appearance
indicated nothing unusual but Richard,
though he had partially rcgained his GUS
tomary composurc, could not prevent a
slight hesitancy and cOnStraint when re-
plying to Mr.. Beale's casul remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Bcale brought
Richard letter to seal, and deposit in
the post-otlicc when he went to dinner
At the same time he sent Philip to a
neighbOring store on business, which
would dctain him some little time; he
then returned to his private room. Left
to himself, Richard gazcd on the super
scriptiOn Of thy letter long and earnestly.
"D. OglethroP, Esq, Baltimoro"--thc
words seemed burned into his BRAIN
What would he not give to know the con-
tents Of that letter? Doubtless it'rclatcd
to the nephew who was to supplant him.
Richard hcsitatcd, turning the letter over
and over.
( Why could he not glance into it? It
was not sealed-he would ,betray no con-
fidence by so doing-mOst Of the business
letters were given him to answer, and
certainly to no one living would he reveal
the contents, whatever they might be-
These reflections OvcrcNmc his strong re-
pugnancc to the act With n trembling
hand he opened the letter and read:
"DEAR Sm:-I wish your nephew to
arrive if possible by Tuesday the thir-
tecnth, as on that day. young wilkins
year will have expired, and it is desirable
that his successor should 10 on the spot
to enter Immediately on his duties.
Truly yours, j.. BEALE."
The blood mounted to Richards brow
as he read. For an instant he forgot the
consequences to himself fthe threatened
blow in Indignation at his employers du.
plicity.
-Four years ago." hO murmured bit
terly-"ay, four years next Tuesday
entered this store. Not once since that
day has he had occasion to reprove me for
the slightest neglect or oversight; stern
and exacting as he l., I have given him
no cause for complaint, and this is the end
this is my reward. am to be discharg-
ed to make room for ono of his friends
connections. ] am thankful l opened the
; o. % B.