The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-11-09
The Merchants Test.

Only that he was talking very ear
nestly with Mr. Oglethorpe as ] went
into his room just now, and they ceas-
ed very directly on my entrance.
took the liberty of waiting outside the
door till the conversation was resumed
and heard enough to satisfy me that
Oglethorpe has nephew who is about
to take your place"
What did you hear?'
Merely sentence from each.
Oglethorpe said: SO you think my
nephew will have no difficulty in filling
the place of your head clerk 2 and
Beale replied; None whatever; and
the other clerk, Philip Warden, has
been in my establishment long time,
and he can give him little insight in
to our business affairs, if need be.
did not wait to hear more; but that is
enough, | should think"
" So it would SEEM" was the reply.
in tone % deep despoadency
1t 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 all along seemed to
think much Of you But, 1t is Just
like him, always doing something out
of the way"
Richard Wilkins was too sick at
heart toIeply He turned to the desk
and ondeayored to concentrate his
wandering thoughts upon his work,
but in vain. The pen dropped from
his fingers, and leaning his head upon
his hand he gave full scope to his sor-
rowful and indignant feelings. When
the two gentlemen emerged from Mr..
Beale's private room he started like
one guilty of a secret crime, and snatch
ing the pen, pretended to be all alb
sorbed in his duties His Hurried
SO different from his usual
quiet composure was noticed by his
who drew his own conclu-
sions therefrom Mr. Ogiethorpe was
returning 10 his home in Baltimore. ~
His friend accompanied him to the
and, on returning, closely
observed the two clerks as he saun-
tered back and forth through the store.
Philips appearance Indicated nothing
but Richard, though he had
partially rcgained bis customary com
posure, could not prevent slight hes
fancy and restraint when replying to
Mr. Beale's casu ; remarks
Several days after, Mr. Beae brot
Richard letter to seal and deposit in
the post Office MS he went to dinner
At the same time he sent Philip to
neighboring store on business. which
would detain him some little time.
He then returned to his private room
Left to himself, Richard gazed on the
superscription of the letter, long and
earnestly ID Oglethorpe. Balti-
more, -the words seemed burned in
to his brain What would he not
give to know the contents Of that let
ter? Doubtless it related TO theneph-
aw that was to supplant him Rich
ard hesltated turned the letter over
and over Why could he not glance
INTO itY 1t was not sealed he would
netray no confidence by SO doing
most Of he business letters were given
10 him To answer and certainly to no
)ne living would heregeal the contents.
whatever they might be These re-
lectIons overcame his strong repug-
nance TO the act, and with trembling
hand he opened the letter and read
DEAR Sm:--I wish your nephew
20 arrive if possible, by Tuesdny, the
i0th, as on that day young wilkins
year will have expired, and it is desir-
lble that his successor should be on
-he spot to enter Immediately on his
luties. Truly, yours, j. BEALE."
The blood rushed TO Richards brow
rs he read. For an instant he forgot
he consequences to himself of the
threatening blow, of Indignation at
lis employers duplicity
-Four years, he murmured bitter
y, Gay, four years next Tuesday, |
entered this store. Not once since
hat day has he had occasion to re-
prove me for the slightest neglect or
oversight, stern and exacting as he is
have given no cause for complaint, {
nd that is the end this is my reward
am to be discharged to make room
on one of his friends connections.
I'M thankful | opened the letter--now
can prepare for his treachery.'
With a calmness that surprised
the clerk sealed the letter and
dropped it into the post Office as di-
'ected. On his way back to his en-
)loyment he called at the counting
Dom of a merchant, whom, as one of
hr. Beale's acquaintances, he well
Knew. Richard wished to make en-
luiries, in an indirect way, for stu
ttion--but, while he was striving to
orm some question to this end, the
gentleman came to his relief, by ask
ng if he knew of any young man in
iced Of situation whom he could
recommend to him, rs he had va
,ancy for a clerk. Richard eagerly
,ilered himself Mr.. Curtis was SUR
orised that he should wish to leave his
I'D place, but gladly accepted him,
having long admired the integrity and !
strict application of the young man,
whose praise he had frequently heard
rom Mr. Beale. The yearly salary
vas named; it was one hundred dol
airs more than Richard was now re-
'eiving; and having engaged to enter
m the duties of his new place on the /
Tuesday, he went with Il
light heart to his old emplOyment.--