Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-29
paitp ARGUS.
saturday, July 70. ASH.
SMITHS NEW CLERK.

AoAkpA AlhAs ~ AN'S1 SAeAoVek
young dog 7" ..,.1
True enough, and she new one won,t
be any better. Drinking, gambling, late
hours and fast horses-thRt's the way with
EN- all" @% la4 4s4
And Smith groaued.
Jenkins eyes tvinkled. He we'll new the
peculiarities of this good hearted but eccen-
tric bachelor partner.
"Wsll, the new clerk won't drink nor
gamble, I'm certain of that, and has thus far
been very industrious and attentive"
"rhus far? Oh, yes Wait a month.
New brooms sweep clean
"Oh, we'll, if the new clerk DENT suit you,
you can send the new clerk sdrift, that's all
l only took her--ah' m the new clerk on
trial" .r.
Mr.. Smith started at his partner.
81 suppose the new clerk has name z
he remarked dryly.
"Oh, yes. Her, that is TO say, the new
clerks name is Gardner. But here we
are" -a.
AS was his usual custom, ar. Smith went
through the store, past the array OF clerks |
on either side of the counter without glAnc |
ing to the right or left. But when he reach
ed the pri yAte office, st the further end, he
looked through the glass door, which was so
situated that he could see ell that was going
on in the store.
AsNiS eyes fell on the occupant Of desk
near the door he started,
"WhAt's that p he said turning sharply
upoa bis partner, who had followed him
Jenkins gszed very CON osedly upon the
the slender form, whose graceful head was
bent intently over q ledger that lay upon the
desk.
That? Why, that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed bis eyes and looked again
why, that's q woman II he exclaimed
with an air of iucrsduity and horror.
~ should sBy it was" said Jenkins
oOOlly, aud cOnfOuuded pretty one at
that"
Smith gave his partner look of virtuous
indignation.
Mr.. Jenkins this is no place for q wo-
mAu."
Think mott Now it strikes me thar she
fits the place very neatly"
THE proper place for woman is IN the
sanctuary of home
This was q pet observation Of Mr.. Smith
which he had read somewhere, and which
he considered as a clinoher in such an Argu
menL
Jus obRppHb ohC uhsu Hut
That was possr, and, in his effort 10 sur
mount it, Mr. Smith got excited
Hasn't any Why, sir, she must have
one ?"
Very true. In fact so confident Gm
on that point, that ] have some thoughts
Of oferiAg her mine-or, at least 20 share
1t with her"
"Mr. jenkins this is not fit subject for
jest"
at is = serious matter, | know so, on
the whole, perhaps I'd better think 1t
over while longer. Besides there's no
knowing If she would accept nv offer to-
gethsr with the sncum brsnCe that goes with
II"
Jenkins" returned Smith, severely will
you cease trihlng and attend to the business
IN hand THIS woman must go"
Very we'll you told me YOU wanted 3
clerk that would be faithful and ind ustrious;
that didn't spend his salary and all that be
could steal on fast horses and faster women;
aud got you one. It's al easy matter to
send her off
'Of course 1t is" rejoined Smith, bright
ening at the suggestion. Just tell her she
don't exactly suit, and that ~e shsnt need
her alter to-day
But she does suit me and If you're not
suited, all yon have got to do is to tell her
so"
lyon hired her"
'And for that very season | wont di-
charge her without some good cause"
mo matter, returned Smith with an ali
Of lofty Indifference. can discharge her
! think | AN equal to that much"
Jenkins, who had lefl the room, put his
head back moment later.
'Bet you hundred dollars you don't do
il"
With this parting Shot be disappeared.
Now, Smith had a nervous horror OF wo-
men, as his partner well knew especially
of young women-Rud never spoke 10 one il
he could help il.
Had it been he he would know what TO
say, and experience no difficulty in saying
1t but woman was quite another thing.
But his partners last words had touched
his pride, and summoning oil his resolution.
he opened the door and walked out.
But bis courage failed him as he sp-
preached the desk where she sst, aud be
passed by, elsncing sideways at the uncon
scious occupant, who did not lift her head at
his approach
After speaking to q clerk ct the further
end Of the room, he walked slowly back to
where the young lady sat, and who, as he
passe1 by the desk, raised pair of soft blue
eyes, shooting . swift, bewilderng glancs
in Smiths that he felt to the toes of his
boots.
"Miss-Miss"-.-he stSmuere6.
"My name Is GeorRianA," said the lady
smiling" Some call me George, for short d"
well, Miss George eorgians, am
afraid that you will find your situation rssh
err unpleasant"
"Not at oil, sir. On the contrary, End
it very pleasant and comfortable"
"Ahom! But fear tbs: you will be
hardly equal to the discharge of all its
duties"
~ hope not IF you will run your eyes
over the balance sheet, you will find every
thing correct"
With desperate hope that there would be
something amiss, Smith did so, but was dis
appointed.
81 hope you have no fault to fnd?" said
the clerk, rather Rnxiously, on peTceiving
that he hesitated
"G on are q womsn."
Here, whether abashed By the sudden
display Of dimples in the pink cheeks, that
grew still more pink at his rather unneces-
sary assertion, Smith came to an abrupt
pause.
Al this the smiling face settled into an
expression Of demure gravity.
81 must plead guilty to the charge Of be-
Ing q woman But though il may be mis-.
fortune, it can scarcely be called o fault at
any rate, it is one for which ! am not an
swerAbls.'
"Iou misunderstood me ma,am. What
l meant to say was, that there are certain
duties connected with your office, such
rs opening the store, going to the Post OF.
fee, ETC., which you cannot vsrv we'll nor.
FORM
81 assure you, air, that shall like potb;ro
better than to take an occasional w.u,
the oman air And az TO onpn;r. a. :"