The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-07-26
SMITHS NEW CLERK.

AOWs OuslHess lndulISu tue
latter.
All right; got a new clerk"
"Got Il new clerk, Ell? Where's
Jones'?
Discharged him. An idle, extrava-
CANT dog I
True enough, and the new one
won't do any better. Drinking, gam.
bling, late hours and fast hours-that's
the way with them all"
And Smith groaned.
Jenkins eyes twinkled. He we'll
knew the peculiarities of his good
hearted, but eccentric bachelor partner.
Well, 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 a month.
New hIooms sweep clean"
"Oh, well, if the new clerk don't suit
you, can send the new clerk adriIt,
that's all. | only took her-ah'm =
the new clerk on trial
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner.
Il suppose the new clerk hos
name" ne remarked dryly.
On, yes. Her, that is to say, the
new clerks name is Gardner. But here
Ne are.
As was his usual custom, Mr.. Smith
went through the store, past the array
OF clerks on either side the counter,
without 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.
As his eye fell on the occupant of a
desk near the door, he started.
What's that ?' he said, turning
sharply upon his partner, who had fol-
lowed him.
jenkins gazed very composedly upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
was bent intently over ledger that lay
opCn upon the desk.
That? Why that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes, and looked
again.
Why, its a woman r. he exclaimed,
with an air of incredibly and horror.
:" should say 1t was, said Jenkins,
coolly; and contoundedly pretty one
at that"
Smith gave his partner look of vir-
tuous Indignation.
"Mr. jenkins, this is no place for a
woman y
Amt? Now it strikes me that she
hts the place very nicely
" the proper place Tor woman is the
sanctuary Of home"
This was pet observation of Mr..
Smiths which he had read somewhere,
and which he considered as a clincher
in such an argument.
&" But suppose she hasn't any?'
This was a poser, and in his efforts to
surmount it, Mr.. Smith got excited
e" Hasn't any Why, sir, she must
she ought to have one"
Very true. In fact so confident am
on this point that | have thought of
Offering her mine-or at least 10 share
il with her.
"Mr. Jenkins, this is not fit sub.
.ject for jest !"
It's 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, together with the incum brance
that goes with it.
Jenkins" returned Smith severely,
- ,0W you cease trihing and attend &c
the business in hand? This woman
must co.
Very well you told me you wanted
clerk that would be faithful and in.
u,trious that didn't spend his salary
and all he could steal, on fast horses
and faster women, and | got you one
It's an easy matter to send her of.
"Of course it is," rejoined 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
are not suited, all you have got to do is
TO tell her So"
You hired her."
And for that reason, won't dis.
charge her without some good cause. y
mo matter" returned Smith, with
an air of Indifference. " can discharge
her; think am equal to that much
Jenkins, who had left the room, put
his head back a moment later.
Bet you hundred dollars you
don do 1t.
With this parting shot, he disap
peared.
Nov Smith had nervous horror o
women, as his partner well knew-espe
cially of young " omen-and never spoke
OF one # he could help it.
HID 1t been a man, he would hav,
known what to say, and experienced NJ
difficulty in saying it, but woman wal
quite another thing.
But his partners last words hac
touched his pride, and summoning al
his resolution, he opened the door ano
walked in.
But his courage failed him as he came
opposite the desk where she sat, and h'
passed by, glancing sideways at the un
conscious occupant, who did not lift hei
head as he approached.
After speaking 10 clerk at the fur
ther end of the room, he walked slowly
back 10 where the young lady sat, anc
who, as he paused by the desk, raised
pair of soft blue eyes, shooting swift
oewlldering glance in Smiths that M
ielt to the toe OF his boot.
Miss Miss he stammered.
Ny name is Georgiana, said th'