The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-06-15
SMITHS NEW CLERK

hf"A II - WV NbbhN-
Jenkins met Smith, his senior part
ner, at the depot, who had been alb
sent on business tour.
"How's business F" inquired the
latter.
'AlI right got new clerk"
"Got a new clerk, Ell? Where
Jones?"
Discharged him. An idle, extrava-
giant young dogl"
'True enough, and the new one
won't do any better. Drinking. gamb-
ling, late hours and fast horses that
the way with them ALL"
And Smith groaned.
Jenkins eyes twinkled He well
knew the peculiarities of his good
hearted but eccentric bachelor partner.
We'll, the new clerk don't drink nor
gamble, I'm cert ain Of that, and has
thus far been very industrious and at
tentive.'
"Thus far2 Oh, yes Wait a
| month. New brooms sweep clean"
"Oh, well, if the new clerk don't
suit you, | can send the new clerk
adrift, that's all. 1 only took her
| all m the new clerk on trial
Mr.. Smith stared ut his partner
81 suppose the new clerk has a
name? he remarked dryly.
ooh, 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 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 50 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.
whats that" he said, turning
sharply upon his partner, who had
| followed him.
Jenkins gazed very composedIy upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
was bent intently over ledger that lay
open upon the desk.
THAT? Why that's the new clerk. y
Smith rubbed his eyes, and looked
again.
"Why, it's womanl" he exclaimed.
with an air of incredulity and horror.
" should say it was,n said Jenkins,
coolly; "and aconfoundedly pretty one
at that"
Smith gave his partner look of vir-
tuous Indignation.
Z" Mr.. Jenkins, this is no place for q
woman !"
"Think! 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 clincn n
IN such ali argument.
But suppose she hasn't any 2"
This was poser, and in his efforts to
surmount 1t, Mr.. Smith got excited.
Hasn't any9 Why sir, she must
she ought to have one"
every true. In fact, so confident
am I on this point that l have Thought
OF offering her minc-or, at least to
share it with her"
"Mr. Jenkins, this is not fit sub.
ject for icst!"
ITS serious matter, / know: so,
on the whole, perhaps I'd better think
1t over a while longer. Besides there's
no knowing II she would accept my Of
fer together with the incumbrance that
goes with 1t. "
Jenkins" returned Smith, severe
ly, "aciH you cease trifing and attend
to the business in hand This woman
must 60"
g Very well you told me you wanted
a clerk that would be faithful and in
dustrious, that didn't spend his salary.
and all that he could steal, on fast
horses, and faster women, and I got Won
one. It's an easy matter to send her
off"
''Of course it is" reioined 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 Won
are no. suited, all you have got to do
Is to tell her so. -
" You hired her"
''And for that reason. T won't dis
charge her without some good cause. y"
" No matter" retuened Smith. with
an air of indifference. 81 can dis.
charge 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't do it"
With this parting shot he disappear
ed
Now Smith lad nervous horror of
woman, as his partner well knew-es-
peclally young wOman-and never
spoke to one if he could help it.
Had it been man he would have |
known what SO say, and experienced no
i'll saying it, but woman was
quite different thing
But his partners last words had |
touched his pride, and summoning all