The Van Buren press., 1872-06-25
MISCELLA ANY.
Smith S N ew Clerk.

jenkins met Smith, his senior partner,
at the depot, who had been absent on a
| business tour.
"How's busincss?' inquired the latter.
"All right; got new clerk. y
SCOT a new clerk, eh? Where s
Jones :"
Discharged him An idle extrava-
giant young dos"
True enough, and the new one won
do any better. Drinking, gambling, late
hours, fast horses-tAaL's the way with
them all
And Smith groaned.
Jenkins eyes twinkled. He well knew
the peculartics 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 brooms sweep clean"
Oh, well, il the new clerk don't suit
you, can send the new clerk adrift,
that's ALL only took her-ah 'm-the
new clerk on trial
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner.
IL suppose the new clerk has 4 name
he remarckd, dryly
"Oh, yes. Her, that is to say, the
new clerks nam, 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,
without glancing TO the right or left. But
when he reached his private Office, at the
further end, he looked through the lass
door, which was 80 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 fol
lowed him
Jenkins gazcd very composcdly upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
was bent intcntIy over a ledger that lay
open upon the desk.
THAT? Why that's the new clerk. y
Smith rubbed his eyes, Gnd looked
again,
"Why. it's woman - he exclaimed,
with an air Of incredulity and horror.
81 should say it was, said Jenkins,
coolly, and a confoundedly pretty one
at that.
Smith gave his partner q look Of yirtu-
Gus Indignation.
"Mr jenkins, this is no place for a
woman."
"rhmk2 Now it strikes me that she
fits the place very nicely.
The proper place for 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 auyf'
This was poser and in hi, efforts to
surmount it, Mr. Smith got excited
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
it with her
"Mr jenkins, this is rot fit subject
for jest"
"Its serious matter, know so, on
the whole, perhaps I'd better think 1t
over while longer Besides, there IS
no knowing if she would accept my of
fer together with the incumbrance that
goes with 1t.
jenkins, " returned Smith, severely.
" ,rW you cease trihing and attend TO the
business in hand This woman must
90. -
VERY well you told me you wanted
a clerk that would be faithful and indus
trious; that didn't spend bis salary, and
all he could steal, on fast horses, and
the like, and got you one. It's an easy
matter 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 ,tan't need hcl after 70 dav