Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-03-27
stItrl gaIt
IE MERonANr,s rEsr.

"Only that he was talking very earnestly with
Mr. Oglethorpe as | went into his room lust now,
and they ceased very discreety ON my entrance.
took the liberty of waiting outside the door till
the conversation was resumed. and heard enough
to satisfy me that Oglethorpe has a nephew who is
about 10 take your place"
What did ynu overheard
Merely a sentence from each. Ogethorpe
said So you think my nephew will have no
difficulty in filling the place Of your head clerk
and Beale replied None whatever; and the other
clerk, Philip Warden, has been in my establish
ment a long time, and he can give him a little
insight into our business affairs II need be- |
did not wait TO hear any more bot that is enough,
should think
$50 it would seem" was the reply, in a tone of
deep dependency.
at is mean in the old man 20 discharge you.
and equally strange; II il was one now, l should
not think il so odd-but he ha. - along seemed
TO think much of you. But it is just like him, al
ways doing something out of the way
Richard Wilkins was too sick Al heart TO reply
He turned to the desk and endeayored to concen-
trate his wandering thoughts upon hls work, but
ia vain. The pen dropped from his fingers. and
leaning his head upon his hand he gave full scope
to bis sorowlul and indignant feelings When
the two gentlemen emerged from Mr.. Beale's pri-
vate room he started Ike one guilty Of a secret
crime, and snatchiug the pen, pretended TO be all
ah orbed in his duties. His Hurried manner, so
different from bis quiet c1mposurc. was noticed
by bis employer who drew bis own conclusions
ihereirom. Mr Oglethorpo was returning to his
home in Baltimore. His friend accompanied him
TO the steamboat, and, returning, closely OBJ
served the two clerks as he sauntcrcd back aud
forth through the store. Phillips appearance IN
dicaied nothing unusual but Richard, though he
had partially regained his customary composure,
could not prevent slight hestancy and restraint
when replying to Mr. Bclle's casual remarks
Several days after Mr. Brale brought Richard
letter TO seal and deposit n the post office he
went TO dinner. Al the same time he sent Philip
90 neigh1Oring store on business which would
detan him some little time. He then returned to
hls private ROOM Left TO himself, Richard gazcd
on Che superscrption of the letter long and earn
estly. sd Oglethorpe Baltimore, tho woris
seemed burning into bis brain What would he
NOT give 10 know the contents OF the letter?-
Doubtless il related to the nephew that was to
supplaut him. Richard hcsitated turned the let
ter over and over. Why could be Yot glance into
~ lt WAS not ,eaied--hc would bctra} no conf
dence ia so doias-most of The business letters
were given 10 hun TO answer, aud certainly TO mo-
one living would he reveal the contents whatever
they might be. These reflections overcame his
strong repugnance to the act, and with trembling
hand hc opened the letter and read .-
"DEAa Sin 81 wi'h your NEPHEW aruyen possible, ny
ruesisy HE thre, that ,y young Wikns' year will
have expired and 10 r desirable that his should
Truly yoars, !. BEALE"
The blood rushed to Richards brow as he read.
For an instant be forgot the consequences to him
self OF the threatening blow, ia indignation al his
employers duplcity.
Four years he murmured bitterly cay, four
years next Tuesday, | entered this store. Not
once since that day has he had occasion 10 reprove
me for the slightest neglect oversight, stern aud
eNacung as he Is. have given no cause for com
plant, and that is the end-this is my reward.
am TO oe discharged 10 make rpem for one Of his
friends connections. | am thanAful / opened the
letter--now can prepare for his treacheryn
With a calmness that surprised himself. the
clerk scaled the letter, and dropped it into the
post office, as directed. On has way back to his
employment he called at the conting-room of
merchant, whom, as one Of Mr.. Beale's acquaint-
ances he well knew Richard wished to make
inquiries in an indirect way for a stuetion-but,
while he was striving to form some question to
this end, the gentleman 10 his relief by ask
ing II he knew OF any young in need Of n situ-
alton whom he could recommend 10 him, as he had
vacancy for a clerk Richard eagerly offered
himself. Mr.. Curtis was surprised that he should
wish 20 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.. Beae. The year
ly salary was named; il was one hundred dollars
more than Richard was now receiving; and having
engaged to enter on the duties OF his new place
on the following Tuesday, he went with light
heart 20 his old employment. He did not mention
his intention to Mr.. Beale, so the week passed
without Mr.. Curtis visiting the store. lie hoped
he had not met his employer, for Richard had a
wish that the latter should not hear how his
treacherous scheme had been defeated till the last
moment.
On Monday evening, Richard knocked at the
door Of Mr.. Bears room, and in as few words as
possible requested the wages due him, he was
engaged to go to another house the morrow.
q" have known Of your engagement since
Wednesday, said Mr. Beale: Mr. Curtis in
formed me of it. May ! ask the motive of this
secret and unusual proceeding your part?
believe gave you no cause for so sudden a deter
mnation TO quit my employment did p
"No cause!' Richard repeated bitterly. "Oh
no, sir; no cause, OF course--the clerk is only the
dupe-the slave Of the merehant-and has no right
to complain of any conduct however iniquitous
OF which he is the yictiml"
"Your sarcasm is rather out Of place, young
man, replied Mr., Beale, cooly 81 asked if |
had given you any cause Of offence | know
have not you falsly imagine that | have and
thus imagining you have done yourself great in
jury. Nay, no questions will tell you all. On
the day that Mr.. Oglethorpe was here noticed a
great alteration in your looks, your words, your
whole conduct. | suspected at once that Phillip
had overheard our conversation and repeated it to
YOU, in consequences of which yOn were disturbed
in mind. This was natural and | was far from
blaming you; but it afforded me an opportunity
for a test which had particular reasons Tor desir
ing to apply. penned brief note to Mr. Ogle-
thorpe, gave it TO you 10 seal and watched your
proceedings from that window. | thought the
temptation would prove a severe one, and that if
you arose superior to it ! need not have any fears
concerning you. | was right; the temptation was
too strong strong for your honor aud integ-
rity to Withstand. saw you open the letter
twas enough. | did not at all wonder when /
heard OF your applying for a new situation; you
thought that | acting treacherously to you,
aud that you would outwt me-
/ Mr. Beale ceased, aud looked fXedly at Rich
ard, whose whole countenance was suiluced with
bushes as the true nature of his conduct was
brought calmly 10 his view. In his indignant
feelings he had not till this moment thought OF his
dereliction Of principle ia opening letter not in
tended for his Inspection; now lac was overwhelm-
ed with remorse, for he was naturally upright and
ingenious.
Mr.. Beale saw his confusion, and turned to his
desk to pay what was due OF Richards salary, bat
/ first taking some papers from secret drawer,
threw them on the table before the young man.
IAN this is at an end now he said, but you
may see how unjust your suspicion was TO me, how
injurious TO yourself as | said awhile ago"
Richards eyes were intendy bent on the papers
One was in the merchants handwriting, notice O.
Richard Wilkins having been admitted as a JUNO
partner into his own and established business firm