Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-04-19
CHAPTER Nv.

CHAPTER Nv.
sJoe,' said Nellie, as she met him at the
door some days after their arrival at s.,
Il see by the papers that there is box for
you at the depot. Had you not better
send down for it.
wait until tomorrow, my DEAR said
Mr.. Benson, throwing himself upon the
sofa, and passing his hand over his brow.
There has been such rush of business at
the store during the day, that it really is
quite relief to find myself so snugly quar-
tered here
sBut the box. joe
well, Nellie, never mind about that
now. Come and sit beside me; and let
me tell you something about James Mark
ham,
sAnd what about him p asked Nellie,
seating herself beside her husband.
I'VE need an assistant book-keeper at
the store, Nellie; and James, hearing OF
it, has applied for the situation. Now
what do you think of the matter?'
why, what in the world have I to do
with that?' asked Nellie, looking wonder
iugly upon her husband.
well, darling, as you perhaps have
heard, James is young man of no ordina-
|ry business capacities. For many years he
acted as book.keeper for large firm in
Philadelphia, and gave the utmost satisfac.
ton to his employers, until new partner
was taken into the firm, who, having an
old grudge against James, used every means
to injure him. You have doubtless heard
of James engagement to Miss Baker, and
of the sudden dissolution of that engage
ment because-as it is said-she was in
formed that he drank to excess. Now, it
is not true that James was rejected by Miss
Baker because he was addicted to drinking ;
but, the fact is, he took to drink after, and
because of the sudden and unexplained re-
|jection.'
sWhy that is certainly quite new YER
sion of the case said Nellie.
Just see how cunningly and ingenious
ly the plot was laid for James, said Mr.
Benson. The new partner in the house at
Philadelphia, having occasion to visit this
city on business last Spring, saw, and OBJ
tanned an introduction to Miss Baker. Be-
fore he left, however, be learned from some
person or other that she was engaged to be
married to James and, being passionately
in love with her himself, be Immediately
wrote to the young man that Miss Baker
had positively denied the existence of an
engagement, and entertained no intention
whatever of becoming his bride. In the
meantime the scoundrel informed Miss Ba-
ker that James had been discharged in dis
grace from the store in Philadelphia for
drinking and dishonest transactions; and,
that for month or more, he had been pay
ing constant attentions to young woman
at the North of doubtful character Such
a report soon became public, and finally
reached the ears of Miss Bakers uncle
Not having the slightest suspicion of foul
play, and having every confidence in Mr..
Justin's word, the old gentleman immedi-
ately wrote to James to discontinue his
correspondence; and, without word of ex.
planation, pronounced the engagement be.
tween James and his niece to be at an end
sBut why did not James write to Miss
Baker about the matter p asked Nellie.
well, Nellie,' said Mr.. Benson, eas far
as can learn, James, after receiving Mr..
Justin's letter, Immediately wrote to Miss
Baker for satisfactory explanation for de-
nying the existence of an engagement be-
tween herself and himself 1t may be-
and I think it quite likely-that Miss Ba-
ker's uncle intercepted and destroyed this
letter; but, be that as it may, she certainly
did not receive it. About a week after,
James received the letter announcing the
dissolution of the engagement. The con-
tents of that letter quite overwhelmed the
young man with surprise, modification, in
dignation and anger. Instead of going at
once to S., and clearing his character !;
instead of again writing to Miss Baker and
denying the truth of the reports which had
reached her ears, james Immediately plum
ged into all manner of dissipation, and
drank to such an excess, as that it became
necessary for his employers to discharge
him and obtain another book-keeper. A
month after, he came home; unfortunately
visited Miss Baker when he was undoubt-
edly under the influence of liquor; and,
by his conduct and language on that occa-
sion efectually substantiated the truth of
all former reports. AS you no doubt have
heard, he was Indignantly expelled from
the house by Miss Bakers uncle.
Poor fellowp said Nellie
Since that unfortunate occurrence,
James has been almost constantly drinking.
Most of his friends have abandoned him
no one will employ him at any price what
ever and, now, the poor fellow has appli.
ed to me for situation as book-keeper.-
What shall do, Nellie p
sIf he continues to drink said Nellie,
Il am sure that he will be of no manner Of
use to you. What does your partner think
of itT
He seems disposed to give James trial.
James promises to stop drinking, and even
to join the temperance society, if we will
employ him at the store
Then, by all means, let him have en-
ployment,' said Nellie.
1T may be the means of saving him,