Maryland free press., 1866-12-27
THE MERCHANTS TEST


"Only that he was talking very earn
estly with Mr.. Oglethorp as I went into
his room just now, and as they ceased very
discreetly on my entrance took the lib
erty of waiting out sile the door ill the
conversation was resumed. AMI I heard
enough to satisfy me that o. glethorp has
a nephew who is about to take your place"
"What did you over hcar?"
Merely a sentence from each. Ogle-
thorp said: So you think my nephew will
have no difficulty in filing the place OF
your head clerk; a nd Bcale replied, none
whatever; and the other clerk, Philip
Warden has been in my establishment a
long time, and can give him little in
sight into our business affairs if nee be.
did not wait to hear more, but that is
enough, should think.
So it would seem, was the reply, in a
one of deep dependency ....
1t is mean in the old man to discharge
you and equally strange; if it was me now
should not think it so odd, bnt he has
all along seemed to think so much of you.
But tis just like him always doing some
thing out Of the common way
Richard ilkins was toe sick at heart
to reply. lie returned to the sdssk Iand
endeavored to concentrate his wandering
thoughts upon his work, but in vain. The
pen dropped from his fingers, and leaning
his head on his hand he gave full scope
to his sorrowful and indignan feelings.
When the two gentlemen emerged from
MIR. Beale's private room he started | ike
one guilty ofa secret crime, and sgatching
the pen pretended to be all absorbed in
his duties His aurriel manners, SO diff
erent from his usual quiet composure was
noticed by his employer, who drew his
own conclusions therefrom. Mr.O glethorp
was returning to his home in Baltim9 re.
His friend accompanied him to the steam
boat, and on returning closely observed
his two clerks as he sauntered back and
forth through the store. Philips appear
ance indicated nothing unusual; but Rich
ard though he had partially regained his
customary eomposure, could not prevent
slight hesitancy and constrant when reply
ing to Mr.. Beale's casual remarks.
Several days after Mr.. Bealc brought
Richard letter to seal anl deposit in the
post office as he went to dinner. At the
same time he sent Philip to ncighborin :,
store on business, which would dctain
him some little tim,-ae then rcturnd to
his private rosm. Left to himself, Rich
ard gazcd on the supcrscription of the
letter, long and earnestly. I'D. Oglethorp
esq, Baltimore words seemed burn
ing into his brain. what would he not
give to know the contents of that letter?
Doubtless it related to the nephew that
was to supplant him. Richard hcsitated
turned the letter over and over. Why
could he not glance into it? 1t was not
scaiel he would bctray no confden ce.
by doing so-most of the business letters
were given him to answer and certainly
to no one living would reveal the cont ents
whatever they might be. These rcfcc.
tions overcame his strong rspugnancc to
the act, and with trembling hanl he
opened the letter and aead:
Dear Sir wish your nephew to ar
rive possible, by Tuesday, the thirtietl
as on that day young wilkins year will
have expired, and it is desirable that his
successor should be on the spot to enter
Immediately on his duties.
Truly yours, j. Beale. v
The blood rushed to Richards brow as
he read. - For an instant he forgot the
consequences to himself Of the throat ened
blow, in inlisnati at his employers
duplcity. ............ ...r.
Four years ago, he murnurcd, bitterly
ay, four years next Tuesday, / entered
this store
Not once since that day has he had
occasion to reprove me for the slightest
neglect or over sight, stern and exacting
as he is. 1 have given no cause for COM
plaint. and that is the enl this is my
reward. I am to be discharged to make
room for one of his friends connections.
am thankful..I opened the letter-now
can prepare for his treachery. DID,.
With a calmness that surprised himself
the clerk sealed the letter, and dropped
it in the post as he had been directed
On bis way back to his employment he
called at the counting room of a merchant,
whom as ono Of Mr.. Dsale's acquaintance
he we'll knew. Richard wished to make
inquiries. in an indirect way, for a sit
uation, but while he was striving to form
some question to this end the gentleman
came to his relief, by asking if he knew
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