The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-10-19


hear how his treacherous scheme had
been defeated till the last moment.
On Monday evening Richard knock
ed at the door of Mr.. Beale's room,
and in as few words as possible re
quested the wages due him, as he was
engaged to go to another house on
the morrow.
81 have known of your engagement
since Wednesday," said Mr.. Bealc;
"Mr. Curtis informed me OF it, May
I ask the motive of this secret and
unusual proceeding on your part? /
believe | gave you no cause for so
sudden a determination to quit my
employment--did II"
"No cause!' Richard repeated, bit I.
terly. ooh, no sir, no cause of
course, the clerk is only the dupe,
the slave of the merchant, and has
no right to complain of any conduct,
however iniquitous, OF which he is
the victim" ;"
"Your sarcasm is rather out of
place, young man." replied Mr.. Beale,
coolly. 81 asked il | had given you
any cause of offence. | know | have
not; you falsely imagine that | have,
and thus imagining, you have done
Yourself Il great injury" "Nay, no
oucstions-G will tell You all" On
the day that Mr.. Oglethorp was here
[ noticed a great alteration in your
looks, your words, your whole con
duct. 1 suspected at once that Phi.
| lip had overheard our conversation
and repeated it to you, in colse-
auencc of which you were disturbed
in your mind. This was natural
and | was far from blaming you; but
| it afforded me an opportunity for a
test which | had peculiar reason for
desiring to apply. l pennol a brief
lnote to Mr.. Oglethorp, gave it to you
to seal, and watched you after pro.
ceeding, from that window. tho t
the temptation would prove a severe
one, and that If you arose superior
to it, need never have any fears
concerning you. was right-the
temptation was strong--too strong
for your honor or integrity to with.
stand. l saw you open the letter
twas enough. I did not at all won
der when | heard Of your applying
for new situation; you thought
was acting trcacherously to you, ant
that you would outwit me-"
Mr.. Bcale ceased, and looked fix
edly at Richard, whose whole coun
tenance was suffused with bushes n
the true nature of his conduct wa
brought thus calmly to his view. Ii
his indignant feelings he had not til
: this moment thought Of his derelic
ton Of principle in opening q lette
c mot intended for his inspection; nov
/ he was overwhelmed with shame an
t remorse, for he was naturally uprigh
t and ingenious.
1 Mr. Beale saw his confusion, an
e turned to his desk TO pay what wa
5 due OF Richards salary, but first TAX
. ing some papers from n secret dra"
f er, threw them on the table befor
!. the young man.
c Gan this is at an end now," Il
/. said, "but you may see now how III
e just your suspicion was to me, ho
it Injurious to yourself, as l said awhi
o ago.
l., Richards eyes were inte ently bel
- upon the papers. One was in ii
It merchants hand writing, a notice
o Richard wilkins having been admi
1l ted as n junior partner into his oN
m and established business firm u
le others were necessary business =
s, pers relating thereto; Richard co
e. tinucd gazing at them as If lascin'
= ed, till the merchants voice bro
~ the spell:
. "Well, young man, do you unde
W stand the matter now p
Y, "Oh, SIR" said Richard turnII
il his eyes imploringly on him, n
is then unable to repress his tortnr'
Id feelings, lac bent his head on the
ly bic to conceal the fast gushing tea
Regret is unavailing now, said n
Beale, in his clear, cold tones. l b
every reason TO place confidence
Is you. During these four years
he have observed yorr conduct We
of closely. 1t was such as to salts
Cn me; and resolving to reward yo
strict integrity and laithiulness
ed had decided to take you in parLn
as- ship as you see by these papers, p
ice pared nearly two years ago, and
on Iy waiting the signatures and date
,g. NY friend Mr. Oglethorp, had {
ng quently mentioned his nephew, wilt
for he much desired me to employ.
his his last visit / agreed TO do so.
rg was my intention to give you
his agreeable surprise tomorrow, q
rul therefore | desired to keep all my
no, rangements secret, fortunately a
now see, for my whim enabled me
sed test the strength of your principle
ter "Oh, If you could only forg
aa me, Mr.. Beale! exclaimed Richa
his imploringIy. 1t was my first cr
ing in this regard-l am sure it will
, OF my last. ="
veil For all answer, Mr. Beale qui,
in pushed the money he had coun
sit over to Richard, and picking up
, TO papers, tore them into fragments
nd, The young man looked sadly at til
by but knowing that remonstrance
a in entreaty was alike unavailing in
,uld stern man, he by strong effort
va quered his emotion, and, taking
nrly his money, bowed his thanks
sur. farewell to his late employer,
.oyo i4urno1 IN lpava the room. AS