Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-08-05
Smiths New Clerk.


Jenkins met Smith, his senior partner,
at the depot, who had been absent on q
business tour.
"How's business? ?" inquired the lat.
ter.
cali right; got new clerk"
"Got q new clerk, Ell! Where is
Jones ?'
Discharged him. An idle, extrava'
CANT, impudent young dog"
"True enough, and the new one wont
be any better. Drinking, gambling, late
hours, and fast horses-that's the way with
'em ALL"
And Smith groaned.
jenkins eye twinklcd. He we'll knew
the peculiarities Of his good.hearted but
eccentric bachelor partner.
"Well, the new clerk don't drink mol
gamble, I'm certain of that, and has thus
far been very industrious and attentive. D
"Thus far? o, yes. Wait month
New brooms sweep clean"
"Oh, we'll, if the new clerk don't suit
you, you can send the new clerk adrift
that's all. I only took her-ah'm the
new clerk on trial"
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner.
"Isuppose the new clerk has name ?''
he remarked, dryly.
go, yes. Her, that is to say, the new
clerks name is Gardner. But here we
are."
As was his usual custom, Mr.. Smith
went through the store, passed 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, at the
further end, he looked through the glass
door, which was so situated that he could
see all that was going on in the store.
His eye fell on the occupant Of desk
near the door, he started:
"What's that p he said, turning sharp.
ly upon his partner, who had followed
| him.
jenkins gazed very composedly upon
the slender form, whose graceful head was
bent intcutly over ledger that lay open
upon the desk.
"That? Why, that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes aud looked
again.
Why, it's woman" he exclaimed,
with an al. of incredulity aud horror.
s" should say it was," said jenkins,
coolly, land confouudedly pretty one at
that"
Smith gave his partner look Of virtu-
Gus indignation.
"Mr. jenkins, this is no place for wo-
man."
Think not? Now it strikes me that
she fits the place very neatly"
"The proper place for . woman is in
the sanctuary of home"
This was pet observation of Mr.. Smith 3
which he had read somewhere, aud which
he considered as clincher in such an ar
gument.
But suppose she hasn't any?"
That was poser, and, in his efforts to
surmouut it, Mr.. Smith got excited.
"Hasu't any! Why, sir, she must
she ought to have one"
every true. In fact so confident am l
on that point, that I have some thoughts
of Offering her nine-or, at the least, to
share it with her."
"Mr. jenkins, this is not fit subject
for jest"
| "It's serious matter, know; 50, on
the whole perhaps I'd better think it over
awhile longer. Besides, there's no know.
ing If she would accept my offer together
with the encumbrauce that goes with it.
Jenkins" returned Smith, severely,
"will you cease triaing aud attend to the
business in hand! This woman must &c"
every we'll you told me you wanted q
clerk that would be faithful and industri.
GUS that didn't spend his salary, and all
he could steal, on fast horses and fast wo.
men and I got you one. Its an easy
matter to send her off,"
"Ofcourse it is" rejoined Smith, bright
cuiug at the suggestion. "Just tell hez
she don't exactly suit, and that We shan''
need her after to-day"
" But she does suit-me; and if you are
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"
"No NATTER" returned Smith, with an
air Of lofty indifference. II can dis
charge her. Think I am equal to that
much"
jenkins, who had left the room, put his
head back moment later.
"Bet you hundred dollars you don''
do it."
With this parting shot he disappeared
Now Smith had nervous horror of wo
men, rs his partner we'll knew-especially
Of young women-aud never spoke to one
if he could help it.
Had it been man he would know what
to say, aud experienced no difficulty in
saying it, but woman was quite anothe,
thing.
But his partners last words had touched
his pride, aud summoning all his rosolu
ton, he opened the door and walked out
But bis 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 lift he,