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


usual proceeding on your part =? be
lleve j gave YOU no cause for so sud
den determination to quit my EN-
ployment, did l 2"
mo cause T. Richard repeated bit
terly ooh, no, sir; no cause, O
course-the clerk is only the dupe-
the slave Of the merchant-and has nc
right to complain of any conduct how
ever iniquitods, Of which he is tho
victim l'
"Nou@arcasm is rather out OF
place, young man" replied Mr. Beale
coolly Il asked if had given you
any cause Of offence. / know | have
not; you falsely Imagine that l have,
and thus imagining you have done
yourself great injury. Nay, no
questions will tell you all On the
day that Mr.. Oglethorpe was here
noticed "A great alteration in your
looks, your- words, yonr whole con
duct. / a,ispected ut once that Phil
lip had overheard our conversation
md repeated it to you, in consequence
OF which you were disturbed in mind.
This was natural, aud | was far from
blaming you; but it afforded me an
opportunity for test which | had
particular reasons for desiring to APP
ply. | penned a brief note to Mr..
Oglethorpe, gave it to you to seal and
watched your proceedings from that
window. ] thought the temptation
would prove severe one, and that If
you arose superior to it | need never
have any fears concerning Won. j
was right; the temptation was too
strong too strong for your honor and
integrity to withstand / saw YOU
open the letter TWAS enough | did
not at all wonder when ! heard Of your
applying for a new situation YOU
thought that was acting treacherous
ly TO you, and that You would out
wit me
Mr. BeGle ceased. aud looked fixed
~ at Richard, whose whole counto-
nance was suffused with bushes, as
the true nature Of his conduct was
brought calmly TO his view. In his
indignant feelings he had not until
this moment tnonght Of his derelic-
ton of principle iii opening letter
not intended for his inspection; now
he was overwhelmed with shame and
remorse, for he was naturally upright
and ingenious
Mr. Beale saw his confusion. and
turned to his desk to pay what was
due Of Richards salary, but first tax
ing some papers from secret drawer.
threw them on the table before the
young man.
"AIl this is at end now" be said,
but YOU may see how unjust your
suspicion was to me. how injurious TO
yourself, as | said awhile ago.
Richards eyes were intentlv bent
on the papers. One was in the lner-
chants handwriting notice that
Richard Wilkins having been admit
ted as a junior partner into his own
established business firm; the Others
were necessary business papers relat-
ing thereto Richard continued gaz-
ing at them as if fascinated, till the
merchant voice broke the spell.
Well young man, do you under
stand the matter now =
ooh, sir said Richard, turning his
eyes imploringly on him, and then un-
able TO repress his tortured feelings, lac
bent his head on the table to conceal
the fast gushing tears.
Regret is unavailing now, said III.
Beale, III his clear cold tones. Il had
every reason to place confidence in you.
During these four years l have OBJ
served yonr conduct closely 1t was
such us to satisfy me; and resolving to
reward your strict integrity and faith
fitness, | had decided to take you into
partnership as yon see by these papers,
prepared nearly two months ago. and
only waiting for the signatures and
date. My friend, Mr. Oglethorp had
frequently mentioned his nephew,
whom he much desired me to empoly.
At his last visit | agreed to do so. 1t
was my intention to give you an agree
able surprise tomorrow, and therefore
| desired to keep all my arrangements
secret, fortunately as | now see, for my
within enabled me TO test the strength
of your principles
"Oh, if you could only forgive me,
Mr. Beale, exclaimed Richard, i'm
ploringly ut was my frst error in
this regard I am sure it will be my
last
For all answer Dir, Beae quietly
pushed the money he had counted
over to Richard, and picking up the
papers tore them into small fragments.
The young man looked sadly at them,
but knowing that remonstrance or en-
treaty were alike unavailine with the
stern man, he by a strong effort con-
quered bis emotions, and taking up his
money, bowed his thanks and farewell
to his late employer, and turned to
leave the room. AS he laid his hand
on the door knob, he paused and asked
in a still faltering voice, if Mr.. Curtis
was informed of all tins.
mo, | did not think it nee assary to
speak of it, said Mr.. Beale for / had
reason TO think it was your first depar-
ture from the straight road and
though all business connection be-
tween us has ceased, yet | would not
inJure your reputation by revealing an
act which | thought you would regret
You will find Mr. Curtis a more indul-
gent emDlOYer than the ono Won arc