Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-10-27
TALES q SKETCHES.
TIL H M Err RCHANT'S TEST. /.

it into his head to send you adrift."
"Why, what can you mean, Philip I"
"Only that he was talking very earnestly
with Mr.. Oglethorp as went into his room
Just now, and they ceased very discreetly on
my entrance. took the liberty of waiting
outside the door till the conversation was
resumed, and heard enough to satisfy me
tha. Oglethorp has nephew who is about
to take your place"
"What did you overhear ~
"Merely sentence from each. Oglethorp
said so you think my nephew will have no
difficulty in filling the place of your head
and the other clerk, Philip Warden, has
he can give him a little insight into our bu-
siness affairs if need be. did not wait to
hear more, but that is enough, should
think"
80 it would scem," was the reply, in
tone of deep despondency.
at is mean in the old man to discharge
you, and equally strange; if it was me now.
| should not think it SO odd, but he has all
along seemed to think so much of you. But
tbs just like him, always doing something
out of the way"
| Richard wilkins was too sick at heart to
reply. He turned; to the desk and endea-
vored to concentrate his wandering thoughts
upon his work, but in vain. The pen drop
ped from his fingers, and leaning his head
on 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 stared like one guilty of q
secret crime, and snatching the pen preten-
ded to be all absorbed in his duties. His
horid manner, SO different from his usual
quiet composure, was noticed by his en-
ployer, who drew his own conclusions there
from. Mr.. Oglethorp was returning to his
home in Baltimore His friend accompanied
him to the steamboat, and on returning
closely observed his two clerks as he saun-
tered back and forth through the store.
Philips appearance indicated nothing unu'
sual but Richard, though he had partially
regained his customary composure, could
not prevent a slight hesitancy and con-
straint when replying to Mr. Beale's casual
remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Beale brought
Richard a letter to seal and deposit in tho
post-otfice rs 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 ano
earnestly. "D. Oglethorp, Esq, Baltimore
the words seemed burned into his brain
What would he not give to know the con
tents of that letter. Doubtless it related Il
the nephew that was to supplant him. Rich
ard hesitated, turned the letter over ane
,, over. Why could he not glance into it Z |
was not sealed-hc would betray no conf
dence by doing so-most of the business let
, tiers were given him to answer, and certainl
to no one living would he reveal the con
| tents, whatever they might be. Those re
Elections overcame his strong repugnance L
: the act, and with trembling hand he opened
| the letter and read:
'DEAR SIR: wish your nephew to arrive
II possible, by Tuesday, the thirtieth, as o.
that day young Wilkins year will have es
: pired, and it is desirable that his successo
! should be on the spot to enter immediatel
= on his duties,
;, Truly yours, ]. BEALE."
}, The blood rushed to Richards brow as h
!, read. For an instant he forgot the cons'
y uuences to himself of the threatening blo'
/ of indignation at his employers duplicit!
d Four years ago, he murmured, bitterl.
a ay, four years next Tuesday, Ientered th
- store. Not once since that day has he ha
,e occasion to reprove me for the slightest nes
ID lect or oversight, stern and exacting as
:, is. / have given no cause for complain
~ ~ and that is the end, this is my reward.
,e am to be discharged to make room for or
l. of his friends connections. am thankfl
E. l opened tho letter-now can prepare f'
. his treachery.
to With a camness that surprised himsel
l. the clerk sealed the letter, and dropped
re in the post-office as directed. On his wa
MS back to his employment he called at Il
counting room of q merchant, whom as oil
of Mr. Bealc's acquaintances he well kne'
Richard wished to make inquiries In an i
direct way, for situation, but while he W
v striving to form some question to this en-
he the gentleman came to his relief, by assii
o. if he knew any young man in need OF 9
cd uation whom he could recommend to hi
n ~ as he had vacancy for clerk. Richa
" eagerly offered himself. Mr.. Curtis was 81
no prised that he should wish to leave his O
ed place, but gladly accepted him, having lo
no no admired the integrity aud strict Applicant
ed. of the young man, whose praises he had f
. quently heard from M. Beale. The yeal
. salary was named it was one hundred d
= lars more than Richard was now receivin
and having engaged TO enter on the dut
of his new place on the following Tussd
Get, he went with light heart to his old
lks, ployment. He did not mention his int
n sino out Mr.. Curtis visiting the store He hol
ape be had not met his employer, for Richi
Ilso, had wish that the latter should not b
re- how his treacherous scheme had been
Wv feated till the last moment
s. On Monday evening Richard knocked
the door OF Mr.. Besle's room, and in 40