The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-05-11
THE PARSEMONIoUS CLERK.

sDimes and dollars, dollars and dimes
An empty pocket is the orst of crimes"
WESTON" said Mr. Dayton to one of
his clerks, as they were alone in the spa
cious eounting-room, which was attached
to the large store of which Mr.. ID. was
proprietor, "give me leave TO say that l
do not think your dress sufficiently gen.
teel to appear as a clerk in fashionable
store" \ deep blush suffused the face
of the young man, and in spite of his en-
deavOrs to repress it, tear glistened in
his full, black eyes.
"Did l not know that your salary was
sufficient to procure more genteel habii-
ments, would increase it," "My salary
is amply large sir" replied Weston, with
a mortified air but with the proud indie
pendence Of feeling of which even pov-
ertg had not been able TO divest him.
"Oblige me then, by changing your
apparel, and presenting different ap-
pearance IN the future. You are wanted
in the store" Weston turned and left
his employer, who muttered to himself,
as he took up his paper, "how | do de-
test these parslmouieus fellows" Mr.
Dayton was a man Of immense wealth.
He was a wIdower and had but one child,
daughter, who was the pride of his de-
clining years. She was as good as an
angel aud as beautiful as she was good.
She was simple in her tastes and ap-
pearance. Such was Laura Dayton when
Weston May first became an inmate of
her fathers house, and what wonder was
1t that he soon learned to love her with
a deep and ardent affection. Though
their tongues never gave utterance to
what their hearts felt, yet the language
OF their eyes were too PLAIN to be nistak-
en-. Weston was the very soul of honor,
and although he perceived with pleasure
that he was not distasteful to her, still he
felt that he must conquer the passion
which glowed in his heart
81 must not win her heart" he said to
himself; "I am penniless, and her father
would never consent to our union"
Thus he reasoned and thus be manful-
ly endeayoTed to subdue, what be cen-
sldered an i'll fated passion. Laura had
many suitors and some who were worthy
of her, bat she refused all their overtures
with decisive yet gentle frmness.
Her father wondered at her conduct.
but would not strive to alter her inelina
tlons. He was in the decline of lite, and
wished to see her happily settled ere he
departed this world. 1t was not long be-
fore be sarmised that young Weston was
the cause of her indifference to others
The pleasure which she took in hearing
him praised, the blush which mantled
her face when their eyes met, served to
convince the old gentleman that they
took more than common interest in each /
other. he fOrebsre to make any remarks |
on the subject and was not so displeased |
at the thought as Weston had imagined
he would be.
Weston May had now been three years
in his employ Mr.. Dayton knew moth.
ing of his family but his strict integrity,
good morals, and pleasing manners con-
spired to make him esteem him highly.
He placed unbounded confidence in him
and was very proud Of him. He often
wondered at the scantiness of his ward
robe; for although Weston dressed with
the most scrupulous regard to neatness,
his clothes were almost threadbare, which
Mr.. Dayton thought proceeded from a
disposition, and accordingly be
addressed him on the subject as before
related. Soon after :his conversation
Mr.. Dayton left home on business. As
he was riding through pretty little vii
lage be aighted at the door of cottage
and renuestad q drink af ra.nr TIE