The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-04-09
The Parsfmonious Clerk.
BY r. u. WHITNEY.


dimes and dollars, dollars and dimes
An empty pocket the worst OF crimes.
"Weston," said Mr.. Dayton to one Of his
clerks, as they were alone in the spacious
counting-room, which was attached to the
large store of which Mr.. D. was proprietor,
"give me leave to say that I do not think
your dress sufficiently genteel to appear
blush suffused the face Of the young man,
and in spite of his endeavors to repress it,
. tear glistened in his full, black eyes.
Ibid not know that your salary was
sufficient to procure more genteel habili.
ments, would increase it," my salary
is amply large, sir" replied Weston, with
q mortified air, but with that proud indie
penaence Of feeling Of which even poverty
had not been able to divise him.
''Oblige me then, by changing your ap-
parel, and presenting a different appear
ance in the future. You are wanted in the
store" Weston turned and left his en-
ployer, who muttered 70 himself, as he
parsimonious fellows" Mr.. Dayton was
q widower and had but one child, a daugh-
ter, who was the pride of his declining
years. She was good as an angel and as
beautiful as she was good. She was sim.
pie in her tastes and appearance. Such
was Laura Dayton when Weston May
first became an inmate OF her father i
house, and what wonder was it 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 was toe
plain to be mistaken. 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.
II must not win her heart" he said "a
himself; II am penniless, aud her father
would never consent to our uni0n." Thus
he reasoned, and thus he manfully endeav.
ored to subdue what he considered an i'll.
fated passion. Laura had many suitors
and some who were worthy of her, but sht
refused all their overtures with decisive ye
gentle drmness.
Her father wondered at her conduct, bu
would not strive to alter her inclinations
He was in the decline Of life, and wishet
to zee her happily settled ere be departed
missed that young Weston was the cause o
her indifference to others. The pleasure
which she took in hearing him praised, thu
blush which mantled her face when thei
eyes met, served to convince the old gentle
man that they took more than common
interest In each other. ne iorebore =
make any remarks upon the subject, ant
was not 10 displeased at the thought .
Weston had imagined he would be.
Weston Nav had now been three year
in his employ. Mr.. Dayton knew nothinl
Of his family; but bis strict integrity. GOO
morals and pleasing manners. conspired t
make him esteem him highly. he place.
verv proud OF him. He wished him +
dress a. well a. others, and had often won
dered ut the scantiness Of his wardrobe
for although Weston dressed with the mos
sorupulous regard to neatness, bis ciotne
were almost threadbare, which MI. Dayto
thought proceeded from niggardly dispo
sttion, and, accordingly, he addressed = hin
alter this conversation, Mr.. Dayton lei
home on business. As he was ridin
through pretty little village, he alighte
1t the door Of d cottage, and requested
drink Of water. The mistress, with
ease and politeness which told that she ha
not always been the humble cottsssr. =
yited him to enter. He complied, ana
scene Of poverty and neatness met his ga
which he had never before witnessed. IN
furniture, consisting of nothing more TIA
was actually necessary, was SO clean an
neat that il cast an air Of comfort oil arount
A venerable old man sat by the windo
with his staff in his hand. His clOtht
counterpart of Joseph's coat Of many co
.sThis is your father, presume" said
addressing her.
''It is, SIR"
"He is in his eighty-third year, and he
survived all his children but myself
"Have you always resided hereY"
mo sir; my husband was once wealth
hut indorsing ruined him, and we were n
duced to this state. He soon after died an
two Of my children followed him."
.Haye you any children livinge' ).
"one sir who is my s only ihs, support por6ot N I
much. and father being blind and dee
needs a great deal of attention. Ny 80
will not tell me how much his salary u
but am sure that he sends me nearly .
Of it,
''Then he is not at honor"
'sNo, sir, he is clerk in New York."
"Weston May"
"Weston Mayi IL it possible. Why q
IL nv clerk. k.SI left him in charge Of m
tore only two weeks ago."