Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-10-31

TILE MERCH NT,S ulESr

III
DIck, am afraid the old man has
taken it into his head to send you ad :
rift
why, what can you mean, Philip p
Only that he was taking very ear
mostly with MIR. Oglethrop as went into
his room just now, and as they ceased
very discreetly on nv entrance, | took
the liberty OF waiting outside tho door
till the conversation was resumed and |
heard enough to eatisfy mo that, Ogle-
throp has nephew who 10 about TO take
your place.
what did you hear =
Merely sentence from each. Ogle-
throp said, so you think my nephew
will have no difficulty in fulfilling the
place Of your head clerk > and Beale re-
Piled, None whatever the other clerk,
Philip Walden, has been in my estab-
lishment long time, and can give him
little insight into our business affairs
if need be- dill not wait to hear more
but 1t is enough, think
SO it would seem,' was the reply, in
tone of deep dependency.
Sit is mean in the old man to dis
charge you, and equally strange; if it
was me now should not think it so odd.
but he has oil along seemed to think 50
much of you. But 'tls just like him, al
ways doing something out of the COM
mon way
Richard wilkins was too sick at heart
to reply. lie turned to the desk and en-
deavored to concentrate his thoughts
ht orb h,,p
dropped from his fingers, and leaning
his head on his hand no gave full scope
to his sorrowful and indignant feelings.
When the two gentlemen emerged from
MIR. Beale's private room, he started like
one guilty Of secret crime. and snatch.
ing the pen pretended to be all absorbed
in his duties. His Hurried manner, so
different from his usual quiet compos
urc, was noticed by his employer, who
drew his own conclusions therefrom.-
Mr.. Oglethrop was returning to his home
in Baltimore. His friend accompanied
him to the steamboat, and on returning
closely observed his two clerks as be
sauntered back and forth through the
street. Philips appearance indicated
nothing unusual but Richard, though
be had partia .ly regained his customary
composure, could not prevent slight
hesitaDey and cOnstraint when replying
to MIR. Beale's casual remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Beale brought
Richard letter to seal, and deposit in
tho post office when he went to dinner
At the same time be sent Philip to a
ncighboring store on business, which
would detain him some little time he
then returned to his private room. Lett
to himself, Richard gazed on the supsr-
scriptloD Of the letter long and earnestly.
ID. Ugle;hrop, Esq, Bal,imore'-the
words seemed burned into his BRAIN
What would he not give to know the
contents Of that letter Doubtless it
related to the nephew who was to sup
plant him, Richard hesita.ed, turning
the letter over and over.
Why could no not glance into it, 1t
was not sealed-ho would betray no con.
iidence by 80 doing-most Of the busi-
ness letters were given him to answer,
and certainly to no one living would be
reveal the contents, whatever they might
b @. These reflections Overcame his
strong repugnance to the act. With o
trembling hand he opened the letter and
read:
"DEAR Sir IL wish your nephew to
arrive il possible by Tuesday tao thir-
teenth, as on that day young wilkins
year will have expired, and it is desira-
Bile that his successor should he on the
spot to enter Immediately on his duties.
lrnlv V0nra. Il kEAvEV
The blood mounted to Richards brow
as he read. For an instant he forgot
the consequences to himself of the
threatened blow in indignation ct his
employers duplcity.
-Four years ago. he murmured bitter.
ly-'ay, four years next Tuesday | en-.
tered this store. Not once since that
day has he had occasion to reprove me
for tho slightest neglect or oversight
stern exacting as he lie, 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 l
opened the letter-now can prepare for
his treachery.'
With calmness that surprised him
self, the clerk sealed the letter, and
dropped it in the post'ofhce az he had
been directed. On his way back to his
employment, ho called at the counting.
room of merchant, whom as ono Of
Beale's acquaintance he we'll knew
Richard wished to make inquiries in an
indirect way for a situation, bus while
he was striving to form some question
to this end, the gentleman came to his
relief BY asking il he knew Of any young
man in need of q situation whom be
could recommend to him, as he had
vacancy for q clerk. Richard eagerly
offersd himself. MIR. Curtis was surpris.
ed that he should wish to leave bis old
place, but gladly accepted him, having
long admired the integrity and strict ap'
plication OF the young man, whose
praise he had frequently heard from Mr..
Beale. The yearly salary was named
il was one hundred dollars more than
Richard was now receiving and having
engaged to enter on the the duties OF bic
new place on the following Tuesday, be
went with light heart to his old en-
ployment. He did not mention his in.
tension to Mr.. Beale, and 90 the week
passed without Mr.. Curtis visiting the
store. He hoped that DO had not met
his employers, for Richard had . wish
that the latter should not hear how his
treacherous scheme had been defeated,
till the Last moment.