National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-03-15


send for you"
ined in the same manner, and were, II
like manner dismissed.
On the following day the six deferred
applicants presented themselves, and a'
Thomas Athcrton had been the last TO mp
ply, he was the last on the list for exam
nation. His five companions had been
disposed OF. he knew not how-ior they
did not come back through the private
ofice-when he was SUNNI ned.
Thomas had been dilgent and studi'
Gus boy ut school, and in geography, his
tory. grammar and mathematics he proved
himself efficient. After this the merchant
took him into the adjoining room, where
was the table, with the pen, INK and paper.
and gave to him an invoice to copy, and
left him, remarking. as he turned away,
that he had business to attend to. and that
he--the boy-must make himself comfort.
able until called for
The invoice was short one, and Thom.
as was not long in copying it. After he
had done this he leaned back in his chair,
aud looked around. The apartment was
n small one, with a bare floor, and scantily
furnished and, furthermore, ii seemed to
have been poorly cared for. The two or
three wooden chairs were covered with
dust, and in one corner was pile Of old
| books which appeared, from the finger
marks upon their dusty covers, TO have
| been recently overhauled. Close by
where he sat broom stood against the
wall, and where it rested upon the floor
was pile Of dirt and rubbish swept up
into a heap and left As Thomas regarded
tie unsightly gathering his eye caught
the glitter of bright substance project
ing from the dirt He reached over and
poked it up with his finger. and found it
to be a silver half crown. He took it 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 a very
simple one. He had picked up the money
he would have picked up q 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 Lad made. The merchant regar-
ded the fairly written page approvingly.
What is thsl" he asked, observing
the half-crown upon the original invoice.
"A piece of money, sr which picked
up from yonder pile of dirt"
"All right" said Gray putting the sill
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 befitting man
ner-hs words were few-his beaming
face and swimming eyes told it all.
On monday morning Thomas Atherton
appeared at the merchants counting house.
and commenced his labors. Three years
afterward 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 /, e
little room where he had made his fl Il
essay in copying the invoice, and he pleas
antly referred to the occasion.
Old Gray smiled. and having taken
pinch of snuff from his well.worn silver
box. he said
Thomas, will tell You new what Inev-
er told you before. witness sed every move
ment you made on that occasion. Through
a crack in the partction was able to gain
Il view Of the apartment and all it con
tanned. The other applicants had all been
in here before you. The examination of
the thirteen boys whom had selected
for the final test cost ne, besides my time
juN tue're Silrer half croras! But when, in
the end, | had found lad who to other
eminent qualifications, added that of in
stnctve truth and honesty, considered
the investment a good one; and | have
never regretted it,"
And Billy Gray's test stood the wear of
time. Thomas Atherton went with him !
to Boston; and atterward went out as
agent to India, and at length he estab
lished business for himself. and became
one of the strongest and most lionored men
of the Commonwealth T. Ledger.