American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-24

to leave his old place, but gladly accep
ted him, having long admired the iuteg
rity and strict application of the youne
man, whose praises ho had freque..th 1
heard from Mr.. Beale. The yearly sal
airy was named; it was one hundred dol
lars more than Richard was now receiv
ing; and having engaged to enter upon
the duties Of his new place on The fol
lowine tuesday, he vent with a light
heart to his old employment lie did.
not mention his intention to ssMr. Bcale
50 :he week passed without MIR. Curtis
VISITING the store. He hoped he had not
met his emf llyer, for, Richard had wish
that the latter shoald not hear how his
treacherous scheme had been defeated
I'll the last moment.
On Monday evening Bichard knoeled
at the door Of Mr.. Beale's room, and in
as few words as possible requested the
wages due hin, as he was engaged to 90
to another house on tomorrow.
81 have known of your engagement
sinee Wednesday," said Mr.. Beale; "NIr.
Curtis informed me of it. May | ask
the motive Of this secret and unusual
preceding on your party believe /
gave you no cause for so sudden deter
mination to quit my employment, did
II"
mo cause y Richard repeated. bitter
ly. "0h, no sir, no cause, of course
the clerk is only the dupe, the slave of
the merchant, and has no right to COM
plain of any .conluct, however inqui.
sous, OF which Lie is the victim"
Your sarcasm is rather out of place,
young mar" rcpliel Mr., Beale, coolIy.
81 asked if had given ycu any cause
OF offence. know | have not you
f;ascly imagine that have, aud thus i'm
agile that | have, and thus imagining,
you have done yourself great injury -
Nay, 30 questions, | will tell you all
On the day that Mr.. Ogle,horp was here
noticed great alteration in ycur looks
your words, your whole conduct. sus-
pected at once that Philip had overheard
our conversation, and repeated it to you
in consequence of which you were di,
turbed in mind This was nltural, an
| was far from blaming you but it af-
fordcd me anopportunity for "a test which
| had peculiar reason fer desiring to ap--
ply. penned brief note to Mr.. Og-
ls9.thorp, gave it to you to seal and wa ch
ed your proceeding from that window
thoaght the temptation would prove a
severe one, and if you arose superior to
it, / need never have any fears concern
ing you. | was right, the temptation
was strong strong for your honor or
integrity t, Withstand. saw you open
the letter. was enough | did not at
all wonder when heard of you apply ng
for new situation; you thougt that /
was acting treacherously to you, and that
you would oulwt me-"
Mr.. Beale ceased and looked fxcdly
at Richard, whose whole coun,euance
was suffused with bushes as the true ma.
ture cf his conduct was brought thus
calmly to bis view. In his indignant
feelings be had not til this momeut
thought of his dereliction of principle in
opening letter not intended for his in
spcctioD; now he was overwhelmed with
I'shame and rem.rse, for he was naturally
upright and ingenious.
Mr.. Beal, saw his confusion, and turp-
ed to his desk to pay what was due of
Richards salary. but irct taking some
papers from a secret drawer. threw them
on the table before the young man.
"All this is IT an end now" he said,
"but you may see how unjust your. sus-
picions were to me, how Injurious to your
self, as said awhile ago."
Richards eyes were iutently bent up
Oh the papers. One was in the merchants
hand writing, nJtice of Richard Wilk-
ms having been admitted as junior part
ner into his own and established business
firm; the others were necessary business
papers relating thereto, Richard contin-
ed gazing at them as if facinatcd, till the
merchants voice broke the spell.
.Well, young man; do you understand
the matter now n .
"0h, sir" said Richard, turning his
eyes imploringly on him, and then una
bic to rcpress his tortured feelings, he
bent his head on the table to conceal the
fast gushing tears.
'sRegret is unavailing,' said Mr. Be e
in his clear, cold tones. 81 had every
reason to place confidence in in you =
During these four years have observed
your conduct closely. 1t was such as to
satisfy me; and resolving to reward your
strict integrity aud faithfulness, l had