The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-10-17
TEE MERCHANTS TEST.

neStlV Will MI. OSletuoiP
into his room just now, and as they
ceased very discreetly on my entrance,
I took the liberty of waiting outside
the door till the conversation was re-
sumed, and | heard enough to satisfy
me that Oglethorp has nephew who
is about to take your place:
What did you overhear?
Merely sentence from each. Osie-
thorp said, So you think my nephew
will have no difficulty in filling the
place of your head clerk; and Beale re-
piled, None whatever; and the other
clerk. Phillip Warden, has been IN my
establishment long time, and can
give him little insight into our busi-
ness n affairs if need be. did not wait
to hear more, but that is enough, | should
think.
So it would seem, was the reply, in
tone 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, but
he has all along seemed to think so
much of you. But tits just like him,
always doing something out Of the COM
mon way.
Richard Wilkins was too sick at
heart to reply. He turned to the desk
and endeavored to concentrate his wan
dering mind upon his work, but in vain.
The pen dropped from his fingers, and
leaning his head on his hand he gave
falls-cope to his sorrowful and indignant
feelings. When the two gentleman
emerged from Mr. Beale's private room
he started like one guilty ola secret
crime, and snatching the pen pretended
to be all absorbed in his duties. His
Hurried manner, so different from his
usual quiet composure, was noticed by
his employer, who drew his own con-
clusion therefrom. Mr.. Oglethorpe was
returning to his home in Baltimore.
His friend accompanied him to the
steamboat, and on returning closely OBJ
served his two clerks as he sauntered
back and forth through the store. Phil
Ups appearance indicated nothing unu-
sual; but Richard, though he had par
tally regained his customary compo-
sure, could not prevent slight hest
fancy and constraint when replying to
Beale's casual remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Beale brought
Richard letter to seal and deposit in
the post-office as he went to dinner.
At the same time he sent Philip to a
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 and
earnestly. cd. Oglethorp, Esq, Balti-
more,''-the words seemed burned 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 hesita-
ted, turning the letter over and over
Why could he not glance into it? 1t
was not sealed-he would betray no
confidence by doing so-most of the
business letters were given him to an
swer, and certainly to no one living
would he reveal the contents, whatever
they might be. These reflections over
came his strong repugnance to the act,
and with trembling hand he opened
the letter and read:
"DEAR SIR /: l wish your nephew to ar
rive. ifpossible, by Tuesday, the thirtieth, as
on that day young Wilkins year will have
expired, and it is desirable that his success
or should be on the spot to enter immedi-
ately on his duties
Truly yours, ]. BEALE"
The blood rushed to Richards brow
as he read. For an instant he forgot
the consequences to himself of the
threatened blow in indignation at his
employer duplicity.
Four years ago, he murmured, bitter
ly, four years next Tuesday, l enter
ed this store. Not once since that day
has he had occasion to reprove me for
the slightest neglect or oversight, stern
and exacting as he is. have given no
cause for complaint, and this is the end
this is my reward. l am to be dis
charged to make room for one of his
friends connections. / am thankful /
opened the letter-now l can prepare
for his treachery..
With a calmness that surprised him.
self, the clerk sealed the letter, and
dropped it in the post as he had been d.
rected. On his way back to his en-
ployment he called at the counting
room of a merchant, whom as one of
MIR Beale's acquaintance he we'll knew.
Richard wished to make inquiries in an
indirect way for situation, but while
ne was striving to form some question
to this end the gentleman came to his
relief, by asking if he knew any young
man IN need OF a situation whom he
could recommend to him, as he had a
vacancy for clerk. Richard eagerly
offered himself Mr.. Curtis was SUP
prised that he should wish to leave his
= old place, but gladly accepted him.
having long admired the integrity and
strict application of the Young man
whose praises he had frequently heard
from Mr.. Beale. The yearly salary
was named; it was one hundred dollars
more than Richard was now receiving:
and having engaged to enter on these
duties Of his new place on the follow
ing Tuesday, he went with light heart
to his old employment. He did not
mention his intention to Mr.. Beale. so
the week passed without Mr.. Curtis visit
ing the store. He hoped that he had NOT
) met his employer, for Richard had a
"a wish that the latter should not hear
how his treacherous scheme had been
defeated till the last moment.
On Monday evening Richard knocked