American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-06-08
Miscellany.
SMITHS NEW CLERK.


JENKINS met Smith, his senior partner
at the depot, who had been absent on
business tour.
''How's businesss" inquired the latter
"All right; got new clerk"
''Got a new clerk, Ell? Where's Jones,
discharged him. An idle, extrava
giant young dogt'
True enough, and the new one won
do any better. Drinking, gambling lat
hours, fast horses-that's the way witt
them ALL
And Smith groaned
Jenkins eyes twinkled. He well knew
the peculiarities of his good hearted bu
eccentric bachelor partner
''Well, the new clerk don't drink MOI
gamble, I'm certain of that, and has thu:
far been very industrious and attentive
Thus far? Oh, yes. Wait a month
New brooms sweep clean"
ooh, well, if the new clerk don't suit
you, l can send the new clerk adrift, that's
all. l only took her-ah 'm-the new
clerk on trial"
Mr. Smith stared at his partner.
ct suppose the new clerk has name?'
he remarked, dryly.
"Oh, 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, past 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.
As his eye fell upon the occupant of a
desk near the door, he started:
whats that?" he said, turning sharply
upon his partner, who had followed him.
jenkins gazed very composedly upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
was bent intent1y over a ledger that lay
open upon the desk.
THAT Why that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes, and looked
Why, it's a woman." he exclaimed,
with an air of incredulity and horror.
81 should say it was" said Jenkins,
coolly, land confoundedly pretty one
at that
Smith gave his partner look of virtu-
aus Indignation.
Mr. jenkins, this is no place for a
Woma. %
ihl.ki Now it strikes me that she
MS the pia.e very nicely"
ne proper place for a woman is the
sanctuary of hosae."
ms was a pe. observation of Mr.
smiths, which he lad read somewhere,
G q n
such an argument.
But suppose she hasn't any 81
This was a poser, and in his egorts to
surmount it, Mr.. Smith got excited.
Hasn't any,? Why, sir, she must
she ought to have one"
Every true. In fact, so confident am
1 on this point that 1 have thought of
Offering her mine-or, at least, to share it
with her."
Mr. Ga
for JEST" -.7.=s z~-.-. -
"It's serious matter, know so, on
the whole, parhaFs I'd better rhinl. /. owes
y while longer. Besides, there is no
knowing if she would accept my offer to-
gether with the incumbrance that goes
with it."
Jenkins" returned Smith, severely,
"aoM you cease trifling and attend to the
business in hand? This woman must
60"
Very well you told me you wanted
a clerk tnat would be faithful and indus
trious that didn't spend his salary, and
all he could steal, on fast horses, and the
like, and got you one. It's an easy mat
Ter to send her off"
"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"
'fBut 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"
No NATTER" returned Smith, with an
arr Of indifference. Il can discharge her.
think / am equal to that much"
Jenkins, who had left the room, put his
head back a minute later.
"Bet you a hundred dollars YOU don't
do it."
With this parting shot he disappeared.
Now Smith had nervous horror of
women, as his partner well knew-es-
pecially young wonderland never spoke
to one if he could help it.
Had it been man he would have known
what to say, and experienced no difficulty
In saying it, but woman was quite an
other thing.
But his partners last words had touched |
his pride, and summoning all his resolu-
ton he opened the door and walked in.
But his courage failed him as he came |
opposite the desk where she sat, and he
passed by, glancing sideways at the I'M
conscious occupant, who did not lift her
head as he approached.
After speaking to clerk at the further
end of the room, he walked slowly back
to where the young lady sat, and who, as
he paused by the desk, raised pair of
soft blue eyes, shooting swift bewilder-
ing glance in Smiths, that he felt to the
toe Of his boot.
''Miss-Nfiss"-he stammered.
My name is Georgiana, said the
young lady, smiling "Some call me
George for short"
"Well, Miss George-Georgiana, I'm
afraid that you will find your situation
rather unpleasant"
Not at all, sir. On the contrary, find
it very pleasant and comfortable"
"Ahem!-bUt fear you will hardly be
equal to the discharge of its duties.''
Il hope not. If you will run your eye
over the balance-sheet you will find every
thing correct"
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but
was disappointed.
Il hope you have no fault to find s'
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per-
ceiving that he hesitated.
You are woman
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display of dimples in the pink cheeks,
that grew still more pink at his rather I'M
necessary assertion, Smith came to an
abrupt pause.
At this the smiling face settled into an
expression of demure gravity
Il must plead guilty to the charge of
being woman. But though it may be a
it can scarcely be called
fault; at any rate, it is one for which am
not answerabIe."
'You misunderstood me, ma'am. What
meant to say was, that there are certain
duties connected with your office, such as
f1,oc