The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-08

/
me over to his house, $500
my daughter, Mr.. Wardes; Victorine, my
dear, Me- Wardes, nephew Of mine :
j L looked at my cousin once and again-she
was worth looking at-a most singular mix
ture Of races was visible in her face. She hao
q high, broad, thoug htful German forehead
a mans rather than a girls--a delicate chin
and mouth, with the small teeth so character
istic of the more highly organized French ma
ture, and nose and eyes sunmistakably. En-
glish In the clear bridged outline of the one
and the open, fearless gaze of the Others
She was curiosity new thing-and + de-
termined to study Victorine, my cousin.
I ftYou must dine with us at six, o. e'clock.--
| Where did yen sleep last night?
| ltAt the Bedford ,qai7 l1ias d, ss9: iaA
FYou'd better bring your trunks here; your
| room is ready 'las9 ,s-i| fE'd
Really, I had not the least idea that wa.
to live here rssf-.sgs
where else, boy 2 Where else ? Paris is
not cheap place for young men; you'll live
here cheaper than anywhere else; more com.
fortably. perhaps, if you and Yictorine don't
quarrel. "a.
This was more than had hoped for, to find
myself domiciled in my uncle's house.
thought he had done much in renewing his
offer after my previous refusal, but this over
'I'm really very grateful to you for all your
kindness, = -a. = oa li.a 80 3
'An- right, my lad; all right See and get
your things here or you'll be too late to din.
ner.'
AT dinner was introduced to the chief
clerk or rather the manager of my uncle's bu-
siness. Once or twice noticed his eyes fix
themselves upon NE in q manner that gave
me the idea of his measuring me. 1 felt an
- Al IL - an l.
In the tone of my voice as I answered his
inquiries as to the practices cf English COM
merce. aH.i1t -as..z f.
sOh, said my uncle, Che knows nothing
about the matter, Monsieur Vernay. Ask
him to recite to you chorus from the 'Anti
gone and he'll repeat half the book but of
commerce-of banking-he knows nothing
I'VE shall be able to teach him our system
in few years, if he shall stay so long with us,
He'll stay longer than shall, I dare say,
NJ. Vernay.' i@'is r-.e
Lot me hope not, NJ. Wardes; you are a
young man yet-quite young man. aE
That may be, but don't mean to spend
all my life in your dear Paris, NJ. Vernay.-
Oh, no.
whatever comes, we shall do our best with
the young man to make him useful z4I E5s
i felt angry and vexed at this conversations;
though the hints, thrown out by my uncle
were plain enough, did not like this con
temptuous treatment from his manager. -.,
Moreover noticed that Monsieur Vernay
paid most assidious and graceful attentions to
Victorine, who accepted them as a matter of
course, and this made me still more inclined to
dislike him. .i
My work was easy enough-too easy. I
copied letters, paid a.. ay money, and did the
work that belonged to my department as ju-
nior clerk. M..Vernay was careful to give
me nothing to do that was not simplicity it.
self, and was bored for want of something
that might occupy my mind as we'll as my
fingers. In the evening seldom went out,
and was very content to spend my time with
Victorine, who, on her part, seemed to think
the evenings were pleasant enough to seem
short so while papa dozcd in his chair, Vic
orine and talked and sang to our hearts
content. r ..,-s
NJ. Vernay came about once O week to din
Ter, and contrived then, and indeed at all |
lines, to give my uncle the idea that was in I
need of much teaching as regarded business /
matters. I
slow many years do you think, Charles
we were cousins, reader, it will take you to |
earn to conduct papa's business7'
sHow many months, you mean Victorine.--l
These practical men, your father and M. Yer
lay, are greatly mistaken in their estimate |
bout me; they fancy that because never |
ooked into day book. or journal, or ledger
before i came here, that 1 shall be years
earning their use ; it's a mistake of theirs |
have, ever since was old enough to think. /
lone little else but think, and discipline of |
his kind enables me to learn in month what
heir undisciplined minds would require twelve
or. As for NJ. Vernay and his system, as |
lie calls it, it is good. one, and workable |
nc; but there is fifty methods of applying
he same principles. He boasts that by his |
ystem fraud is rendered impossible, because
discovery is certain he's wrong, and if |
lad access to his books I believe I could |
,rove to demonstration that it is so'
Victorine somewhat incautiuusly defended |
ne the next time was attacked, and repeated
ny remark that if had access to his books /
ould prove fraud to be possible.
Mr.. Vernay started, turned pale, and turn
ID on me a glance that made sure of two
hings; first, that this chance bolt had hit the
nark-that there was fraud aud next, that
NJ Yernay could put me out of his way he
7ould not be very particular as to the means
f doing it.
This one idea of fraud kept forcing itself
efore me constantly. M. Vernay's Jealous
are of particular books and keys, his constant
ndeayors to make my uncle to take tone glass
iore' than was good for him, and the strange,
uspicious looking people who came to him
rst, and then drew out money from the bank,
II compelled me to think of it. I was more
han confirmed in my opinion by an incident
'hich occurred somefew months after this
lea first entered my mind. o-s1
I had lost myself in one of the Fabourgs
rather late one evening aud entered q small,
resturana to ask my way. There
ere number of meni n the room, and as I
need in q looking glass l saw face there
as no mistaking-that of NJ. Vernay. He
as sitting at one of the little, round marble
ped tables with two companions, with his
ce to the wall, and his side-face reflected in ;
e glass; / saw him clearly, but from his DO. |.
ton he could not see me. Instead of asking +
y way I took seat near the party and took .
? paper. They spoke in French and rap
w. in an under toneu-a