The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-18

send for you."
And after that the other siJ were exam,
med in the same manner, and were, il
like manner dismissed.
On the following day tho six deferred
applicants presented themselves, and as
Thomas Atherton had been the last to mp
ply, he was the last on the list for exam
ination. His five companions had beer
disposed Of, he knew not hOw-ior they
did not come back through the private
Otiee-when he was SUNNI ned.
Thomas had been dillgent and studi
Gus boy ut school, and In geography, his
tory, grammar aud mathematics he proved
himself efficient. After this the merchant
took him into the adjoining room, where
was the table, with the pen, inS and paper,
and gave to lin an invoice to copy, and
LEFT him, remarking, as he turned away,
that he had business to attend tn. and that
he-the boy-must make himself comfort
able until called for.
The invoice was short one, and TliOm.
rs was not long in copying it, After he
had done this he leaned back in his chair,
aud looked around. The apartment was
small one, with d bare floor, aud scaniily
furnished; and, furthermore, It seemed to
have been poorly cared for. The two or
three wooden chairs were covered with
dust, and in ono corner was pile of old
books which appeared, from the finger
marks upon their dusty covers, to have
been recently overhauled. Close by
where lie sat broom stood against the
wall, and where It rested upon the floor
was pile Of dirt and rubbish swept mp
into heap and len. As Thomas regarded
the unsightly gathering his eye caught
the glitter sf q bright substance project.
ing from the dirt, lie reached over and
poked 1t up with his finger. and found it
to be silver lialfcrown. He took II up
and wiped the dust from its bright surface,
and then laid It upon the table, placing It
upon the invoice which he had received
tO copy. The proceeding had been very
simple one. lie had picked up the money
he would have picked up bit Of iron
which he supposed might be Of value To
its proper owner, but could be of no value
to him.
Very shortly after this Mr.. Gray re.en-
tered the room, and Thomas gave him the
copy he had made. The merchant regar.
ded the fairly written page approvingly.
"What Is thisin he asked, observing
the hAlfCrown upon the original invoice.
"a piece Of money sr, which picked
up from yOnler pile Of dirt"
"All right" said Gray, putting the sil.
yer piece Into his pocket and then folding
up the two invoices. "YOu can return
home, Thomas, and help your mother
through the remainder Of the week. On
Monday morning come to me and take
your place in my counting house"
The sudden emotion OF joy almost over.
came the trembling boy; but he managed
to express his thanks In a beftting man
ner-lis words were few-llis beaning
face and swimming eyes told 1t all.
On monday morning Thomas Atheiton
appeared ut the merchants counting house,
and commenced his labors. Three years
aftcrward Mr.. Gray had come TO trust him
with private correspondence. Five years
thereafter he was promoted to the post Of
confidential clerk.
One day he sat with his employer in the
little room where he had made his first
essay In copying the invoice, and he pleas.
antly referred to the occasion.
Old Gray smiled, aud having taken n
pinch Of snuff from his well.wOrn silver
box, he said,-
"Tllomas, willtell you now what | lnev.
er told you before, witnessed every move
ment you made on that occasion. Through
u crack in the partiction ! was able to gain
a view VI the apartment, and all It con.
tanned. The otlerapplicants had all been
in here before you. The examination of
the thirteen boys whom had selected
for the final test cost me, btSidsS my time.
lust t,ttire siirtr half erotRs But when, in
the end, ! had found lad who, to other
eminent qualifications, added that Of in.
stinctive truth and honesty, considered
the investment good one aud ! have
never regretted it"
And Billy Gray's test stood the wear Of
time. Thomas Atherton went with him
to Boston; and Afterward went out as
agent to India; and at length he estab
lisled business for himself, and became
one Of the strongest and most honored men
of the Commonwealth Y Ledger.