The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-07-26

INV SAAInsS INV SALAAs
jenkins met Smith, his senior part
ner, at the depot, who had been absent
on business tour.
"How's business" inquired the
latter. al
"All right; got new Clerk
alf SCOT new clerk, Ell? Where's
Jonesr'
Discharged him. An idle, extrava-
CANT dog r.
"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.
Z jenkins eyes twinkled. He we'll
knew the pecularities 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. Waita month.
New brooms sweep Clean"
"Oh, well, if the new clerk don't suit
you, can send the new clerk adritt,
that's all. only took her-ah'ml--
the new clerk on trial."
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner.
~ suppose the new clerk has a
nsmeT he remarked dryly. r
"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 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 60 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 fol.
lowed him.
Jenkins sased very oomposedly upon
the slender form, whose graceful head
was bent intently over ledger that lay
open upon the desk.
"Thst? Why that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes, and looked
again.
Why, it's a woman T. he exclaimed,
with an air Of incrsdulity and horror.
81 should say it was" said Jenkins,
coolly; and confoundedly pretty one
at that"
Smith gave his partner look of viz.
tuous indignation.
= t'Ar. Jenkins, this is no place for
woman ~
..i"Ain'tf Now 1t strikes me that she
i fits the place very nicely"
"The proper place for woman Is the
sanctuary Of home" n
Thi, 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 poser, and in his 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 to share
it with her."
Z. "Mr. Jenkins, this is mot fit sub.
ject for je.t!"
8 It's a serious matter, know 50,
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 incumbrance
that goes with it."
Jenkins" returned Smith severely,
WiH you cease triAing and attend TO
the business in hand? This woman
must CO." .r fs@A
"very we'll you told me you wanted
clerk that would be faithful and in.
dustrious 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 IL you
are not suited, all ycu have got to do 10
70 tell her sou 4
You hired her"
And for that reason, I won't dis.
= charge her without some GOOD cause"
i \ mo natter" returned Smith, with
m air Of indifference. IL can discharge
her; think I am equal to that much."
Jenkins, who had left the room, put
his head back moment later.
Bet you a hundred dollars you
don't do it."
With this parting shot, he disap.
Z peased. ~ NFN ETf4
. Now Smith had q nervous horror of
women, as his partner well knew--espe.
cially Of young women-and never spoke
Of one if he could help it.
Had it been a man, he would have
known what to say, and experienced no
difficulty in saying 1t, but woman was
quite another thing.
But his partners last words had
touched his pride. and summoninp all