The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-09-15
T1IE FIRST CLERKS STORY
by w. T.. WILCOX.

"WHAT Pm now going to tell you,
boys, must be kept under the seal of Sc
cresy," said our first clerk, rs he squccz-
ed q lemon into his tumbler
We--that is to say, I, Ned Bolton, the
present writer, Herbert Engledue. and
young Harry Chester, all Junior clerks
In the bank of Baskerville, Troutman,
and Co.-solcmnly promised that the
seal that was to lock up the commune
cation VIC were about to receive should
never be broken.
"And yet" said Mr.. Minton, with
the kettle in his hand, 81 hardly think
III let it out to you youngsters; it's all
against myself"
Harry Cbester's eyes looked eager ap-
peals, and Herbert said:
ooh now, come I say, Mr.. Minton,
you shouldn't have said SO much, you
know; and then to talk about not let
ting it out, you know it's so jolly mys-
terious."
"Well," said our CHEEKY chief, Gas
Ned here has treated us so well tonight,
I'll make some return by trying to
amuse you boys with the account of
an incident that happened to me some
years ago."
We were delighted-I especially SO,
being the host for the night, and anxious,
as such, that things should go off well.
We drew up to the fire, glasses were
filled, and the relics Of the contents of
the hamper, which the dear people ut
home had sent me, were removed. The
November winds howled dismally over
the London roofs, and ratified at the
window as if anxious to join so pleasant
aparty. Mr.. Minton took an approving
sip of his hot grog, drew his fingers
through his iron-gray hair, and began:
" In the year forty-siX, l had been
some seven years clerk in the bank.
Our Mr.. Baskerville's father was the
principal then, and a very shrcwd, cute
old fellow he was, l can tell you. Mr..
Troutman was then clerk, and junior
TO me, but every one knew that he
would be partner some day, as he had
married Miss Baskerville. Young Bas-
kerville, who looks grave enough now,
was u boy ut Harrow, and used, in holi-
day time, to run in and out of the bank,
and stare at the piles of sovcreigns, just
as he liked.
al had had some troubles then, and
was looked upon as a grave, sedate
young man; and, a. Mr.. Baskerville
told my poor mother, as steady as the
funds In consequence of this gravity
Of manner and character for steadiness,
/ had several times been employed in
matters of confidential nature, and
my conduct in these had been ap-
proved of. One afternoon in the lat
ter part of August, in the year | speak
OF, was sitting at my desk with not
very much to do. | had been thinking
good deal about my own affairs, and
gone back over ground rather painful
for me to tread, and was therefore
rather sad that sunny August afternoon
While | was meditating and idly draw,
ing figures on my blotting-pad, the
bank messenger came to me and said
that Mr.. Baskerville wished to speak tC
me. | went into his private room ant
found him seated at his desk, and in al
armchair beside him sat n middle,agcd
inyalid-lo0klng man, whose handsome
face wore a peevish sort of expression
that seemed to be permanent. Mr.. Bas
kerville said:
"'This, my lord, Is the gentleman
whom i should have the greatest conf
dence in employing in the matter.
The stranger looked at me languidy
and slightly inclined his head as
bowed.
go Rather young for such work, Is h
not, Baskerville?' e.
No, my lord, don't think so. MI
Minton is grave and steady beyond hi
years, and the firm has very great con
fidence in him.
40 Well, ] will trust to you, and
think you fully understand all that
wanted, l would rather not give my
self the fatigue of entering into cXpli
nations with this young man, if 80
think you thoroughly understand whs
want