The Republican journal., 1871-07-06

Smiths New Clerk.
Jenkins met Smith his senior partner,
at the depot who had been absent on a
business tour.
"iiow's busincss?:' imputed tic latter
CAN right; got q new clerk"
SCOT new clerk, Ell? Where's Jones ?''
"Discharged him. An idle, extrava-
giant, impudent young dog"
''True enough, and the new one won't
be any better. Drinking, gambling late
hours, and fast horscs-thats the way
with 'em all.n
And Smith groancd.
jenkins eyes twinkled He well knew
the peculiarities Of his good hearted, but
eccentric bachelor partner.
"Wcll, the new clerk don't drink nor
gamble, I'm certain of that, and has thus
far been very industrious and attentive"
''Thus far? Oh, yes. Wait q month.
New brooms sweep clean"
"Oh we'll, it the new clerk don't suit
you, you can send the new clerk adritt
that's all. [ only took her ahcm the
new clerk on trial"
Mr. Smith stared nj his partner
81 suppose the new clerk has 4 name?"
he remarked, dryly.
"Oh, yes. Her, that is to say, the new
clerk 5 name is Gardner But here we are -
As was his usual custom, Mr. Smith
went through the store, past the array Of
clerks on either side Of the counter, with
out glancing to the right or left But
when he reached his private Office ut the
further end he looked through the glass
door, which was so situated that he could
so MI that esnirfs ~ IL tln at"rn
AS his eyes fell on the occupant Of Il
desk near tho door he started
whats that?" he said turning sharply
upon his partner, who had followed han.
jenkins gazed very composedlv upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
vas bent i1tently over a ledger that lay
open upon the desk.
THAT? Why that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes and looked again
'Why, it's Il woman" he exclaimed
with IN air Of incredulity and horror.
Il should say it was" said Jenkins
coolly, land Il confouudedly pretty one at
that"
Smith gave his partner look of virtu-
Gus indignation.
"NIr. Jenkins this is no place for Il
woman!"
Think not? Now it strikes me that she
Hts the place very neatly.
The proper place for a woman is IN
the sanctuary at home"
This was Il pet observation OF Mr..
Smiths which he had read somewhere.
and which he considered rs Il clincher IN
such an argument
But suppose she hasn't any"
That was u poser, and, in his efforts
TO surmount it, Mr., Smith got excited.
"llasn't any Why, sir, She must-she
ought to have one.'
Every true. In fact so confident am
on that point, that have some thoughts
offering her mine-or, at the least, TO
share it with her"
Mr.. jenkins, this is not u fit subject
for jest ~
'It's a serious matter. | know SO, on
the whole, perhaps, I'd better think it over
while longer Besides, there's no
knowing if she would accept my offer to-
gether with the encumbrance that goes
with it,"
"Jenkins,n returned Smith, severely,
''will you cease trifling and attend to the
business in hand? This woman must GO"
every well, you told me you wanted Il
clerk that would be faithful and indus
trious; that didn't spend his salary, and
all he could steal on fast horses, and fast
Ell women; ard l got you one. It's an
easy matter to send her OFF,
''Of course it is" reioincd Smith,
Frightening at the suggestion. Just tell
her she don't exactly suit, and that we
shan't need her after to-day"
"But she does suit-me; and if you're
not suited, all you've got to do is to tell
her so.'
"You hired her"
"And for that very reason, won't dis
charge her without some good cause"
mo matter" returned Smith, with an
air of lofty Indifference. 81 can discharge
her. think l am equal to that much"
jenkins, who had left the room, put his
head back Il moment later.
''Bet you u hundred dollars you don't
do it ~
With this parting shot he disappeared.
Now Smith had nervous horror of
women, rs his partner well knew-es-
pecially OF young wonderland never
spoke to one if he could help it.
Had it been q man, he would know
what to say, and experience no difficult
ty in saying it, but 4 woman was quite an
other thing.
But his partners last words had touch
ed his pride, and summo ing all his reso-
luton, he opened the door and walked
out
But his courage failed him as he came
opposite the desk where she sat, and he
passed by, glancing sideways at the un-
conscious occupant, who did not lit her
head at his approach.
| After speaking to q clerk at the further
end of the room, he walked slowly back
to where the young lady sat, who, as he
| paused by the desk, raised u pair Of soft
blue eyes, shooting a swift, bewildcring
| glance in Smiths, that he felt to the toes
| of his boots.
"Miss-Miss''-he stammered.
"My name is Georgiana," said the
young lady, smiling. ''Some call me
George for short"
"Well, Miss George-Georgiana, I'm
afraid that you will find your situation
rather unpleasant"
Mot at all, sir. On the contrary,
find it very pleasant and comfortable"
"Ahem! but l fear you will be hardly
equal to the discharge OF its duties"