North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-11-14
gflert Story,
THE MERCHANTS TEST.

| II into his head TO seDO you adrlt.
"Why, what can you mean, Phillip 2"
"Only that he was talking very ear
| nestly with Mr.. Oglethorp as went into
into his room just now. and as they ceased
very discrcetly on my entrance. | took the
| liberty OF waiting outside the door till the
conversation was resumed, and heard
enough to satisfy me that Oglethorp has
nephew who is about TO take your place"
"What did you overheard
"Merely a Sentence from each, Ogle-
1 thorp said. $50 YOU think my nephew
will have no difficulty IN filing the place
of your head clerk :" and Beale replied,
"Nnne whatever; and the other Clerk,
Phillip Warden, has been in my rs' ablish-
ment Iong time, and can give him lit
tie insight into our business affairs it need
be-. | did not wait TO hear more, but that
is enough, should think"
$50 it would seem, was the reply, in
tone Of deep de>pond"ncy
I at is mean IN the old man to discharge
| you, and equally strange; if it was me
row should not think it so odd, but he
| has all along sermed TO think so much of
you. But tits just like him, always doing
| something out of the common wav.
Richard wilkins was too sick at heart to
reply. He turned to the desk and en-
deavored to concentrate his wandering
thoughts upon his work, but in vain The
pen dropped from his fingers, and leaning
his head on his hand be gave full scope to
his sorrowful and indignant f. elings When
the two gentlemen emerged from Mr..
! Beais private room he started like one
guilty of II secret crime. and snatching the
pen, pretended TO he all absorbed in his
dntIes.' His flurried manner, so different
from his usual quiet composurp, was no.
ticrd by his employer. wfo drew his own
conclusions thrretrom. Mr. Oglethorp
was returning to his home in Baltimore
His friend accompanied him to tie steam
boat. and on returning closely observed his
two clerks AS he sauntered hack and forth
through the store. Philips appearance
indicated nothing unusnal; but Richard.
though he had partially gained his cnsto-
mary composure, rould not prevent slight
he>Itancy and constraint when replying to
Mr. Bral"'> rasnal remarks
Several davs after. Mr.. Beale brought
Richard letter to seal and deposit in the
p''st Office as he wet 70 dinner. At the
same time he sent Philip 10 a ne ghhorinG
store on business. which would detain him
some little time-he then returned 10 his
private room. Left to himself Richard
gard o" the superscription Of the letter,
long and earnestly. ID. Ogi.thorp. Esq,
Bailim"re'--the words seemed burning
into his brain. What would he not give
to know the contents of the letter? Donht-
| less 1t related to the nephew that was to
Slpplant him Richard hesitated, turned
the letter over and over. Why conld he
not "lance inroit It was not sealed
| hr would bptraI no confidence hv doing
Soonest "f the business letters were gwen
him 70 answer, aud ITO 10 one living
would he reveal the contents. whatever
! they might be. These reflections over
came his strong repuguance to the act,
and with trembling hand he openeI the
letter and read
"nEAR SIR u wish yonr nephew to
| arrive. If possible, hv Tuesday. the thir-
teenth, as on that day ycung wilkins year
will have expired. and il is desirable that
his successor should be OR the spot to en-
ter Immediately on his duties.
Truly Yonrs, J.BEALE.
The blood rushed to Richards brow as
| he read. For an instant he forgot the con-
sequences to himself Of the threatened
blow in indignation at his employers du
picitv.
! Four wears ago. no murnured, bitterly.
av. four years next Tuesday, l entered this
sto-e
Not once since that dav has he had oc-
rasion to rcprove me for the slightest neg
lcct or oversight, stern and exaciing as he
is. have given no cruse for co'op ainf,
and that is the end--this is my reward
am to be discharged to make room for
one of his friends connections. 1 am
thankful opened the letter--now l can
prenarc for his treachery.
With calmness that surprised himself.
the clerk sealed the letter. and dropped 1t
| in the post as he had been directed. On
his wav back to his employment he called
at the counting room of merchant,
whom As ore of Bealr'e acquaintanres he
we'll knew. Richard wished to make in
qurIes in an indirect way, for situation
but while he was striving TO form some
question 70 this end. the gentleman came
to his relief. by asking if he knew any
voung man in need Of a situation whom
he co,iid r"eonnmp I'd to him. as he had a
vacancy for clerk Richard eagerly Of
fered himself. Mr.. Curtis WAS surprised
that he should wish to leave his old place.
hut gladly accepted him. having long all
m;rcd the integrity and strict application
ofthe vonng man. whose praises he had
Frequently heard from Mr.. Beale. The
vesrly income WAS named; it was one hun
drrd dollars more than Richard was now re
ceivins and having engaged to enter on
the duties Of his new place on the follow
ing Tuesday, he went with light heart TO
4 Il II. Ill