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

II ics, | am afraid tho old man has
taken it into his head to send youadriitr
= Why, what can you mean, Philip?'s
Only that he was talking very earn
estiy with Mr.. Oglcthorp as went into
the room just now, aud they ceased very
discreetly on my entrance. ! took the
liberty of waiting outside the door till
thcconversation was reaumed, and heard
enough to sstisfy me that Oglethorp has
aqnephow who is about to take your
place 2" a4 he rr
"What did you overhear ?"
Merely sentence from EACH Oslc
thorp said : so you think my nephew
Will have TO difficulty in filling the place
OF your head clerk; she Beale replied :
None whatever, and the other Gle, k,
Philip Warden, has been in my estab-
lishmcnt long time, and he can give
him little insight into our business ai.
f.irs if need be- 1 did not wait to hear
more, but that is enough should think"
SO it would seem" was the reply, in
a tone Of deep dcspondency.
1T is mean in the old man to dis
charge you, and equally strange; if it
was me now, should not think it SO 0 Id
but he has al along seemed ito think SO
much of you. But It's just like him,
always doing something out ofthe way
Richard Wilkins was too sick at heart
to reply. lie turned to the desk and en-
deavored to concentrate his wandering
thoughts upon his work. but in vain =
The pcn dropped from his fingers, and
leaning his head on his hand he gave full
scope to hi, sorrowful and indignant feel
ings. When the two gentlemen emerg
ed from MIR. Beale's private room be
startcdlike one guilty of secret crime,
and snatching the pen, prctented to be
all absorbed ia his duties His flurried
manner, so different frcm his usual quiet
composa:e was noticed by his eml loyor
who drew his own conclusions theiefrom
Mr.. Oglcthoyp was returning to his home
! in Baltimore. His friend accompanied
hiH, to tho steamboat and on returning
closely observes his two clerks as he
sauntcred back and forth through the
store. Philips appearance Indicted moth
i.ig unusual; but Richard, though he had
raati.Ily .....;.vi hts customary compo-
sure, could not prevent slight hesitan-
cy and constraint when replying to Mr..
Beale's casual remarks.
Several days after, Mr.. Bcalc brought
Richard letter to seal aud deposit it in
the postollice as he went to dinner AT
the same time he sent Philip TO a neigh
boring store on business, which would
detaln him some little time he then re
turned to his private room. Left to him
self, Richard gazed on the superscription
of the letter, long and earnestly. "D
Oglethorp, Esq, Baltimore"--the words
seeemed burned into his brpiu What
would he not give to know the contents
of that letter? Doubtless it related tc
the nephew that was to supplant him.
Richard hesitated, turned the letter ovel
aud over. Why could he not glance in
to it? 1t was scaled he would hetray
no confidence by doing so-most of The
business letters were given him to ans
swer, and certainly to one Ewing would
he reveal the contents, whatever they
n is bit be. Those reflections oyercamt
his strong repugnancc to the act, anc
with trembling hand he opened the let
ter and read
"DEAa SIR: | wish your nephew tt
arrive, if possible, by Tuesday, the 30th
as on that day young Wilkins year vii
have expired, and it is desirable that biz
successor should be on the spot to enter
Immediately ON his duties.
Truly, yours, j. BEALE.
The blood rushed to Richards brow
as he read. For an instant he forgot the
consequences to himself of the threaten
ing blow Of indignation Of his employers
dupicity.
-Four years ago, he murmured, bitter
ly, ay, four years next Tuesday, | enter
ed this store Not once since that day
as he had occasion to reprove me foI
the slightest neglect or oversight, sten
aud exacting as be is. ! have given ne
cause for complaint, and that is the enc
this is py reward. am to be dis
charged to make room for one of his
friends connections connections, an
thankful | opened the letter-now can
prepare for his treachery. .
With calmness that surprised hiE.
self, the clerk sealed the letter, and drop
ped it in the post-oflice as directed. On
his way back to his employment he call