The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-09-06

tel, and ss it is a story of to day
with the actors living and moving
among us, We will not direct th,
stare of the multitude by publish
ing real names. n7
Let us say that Mr.. Beverly wa.
9 merchant, wealthy, respected ant
influential, doing business larg,
enough to satisfy the ambition Q
an Astor or a Billy Grey. Previous
to the fell swoop of the FIRE fend il
Boston, his store reared its grant,
front on Franklin street, and mul
titudinous and bulky we're the bale,
and boxes that found daily transi
to and from the busy mart.
In Mr.. Beverly's employ wer.
three clerks-George Acton, Phil
lip Louis and Clarence Bugbee--
who entered oiearn the mercantile
business, and who had given pro
mise Of proficiency. The fact thai
they had been retained in the house
. year or more, was proof positir,
to those who knew Mr.. Beverly
that they were of Industrious. STEADY
habits, and youths of promise.
At home Mr.. Beverly had among
has children 4 daughter-Florenct
by namo--whoA often came to tht
store, and whom the clerks had me,
at her fathers house. These clerk.
could be gay and gallant on occa
slons, but never toward Florence
Beverly. The feeling they enter
tanned toward her was one of xor
ship. In their hearts they ado,ed
her far of, giving her respectful
attention; and prizing her smilc o1
recognition as priceless boon. /
So far as the family connections
OF these three young men were con
cerned, they were honorable, re-
spected people, but none of them
wealthy. Mr.. Beverly not wont to
seek his trusted servants among
those who had been reared in ease
and luxury
On certain occasion Mr.. Bever-
~ was heard to remark that he
would rather give his daughter in
marriage to q man poor in purse,
who could bring the wealth of a
pure and upright heart than to the
possessor of millions whose man.
hood was tainted in the least de-
gree.
This remark came to the knowl-
edge of the clerks, and it is not sur
prising that they thereupon expert
enced wild and brilliant day dreams,
IN which most.stupendous and daz-
zing castles were constructed in
the air.
Astine passed on they became
more and more familiar with Flor
ence's sweet smile, and were ad-
mitted to a degree Of friendship
which proved, at least, that she did
not despise them.
At length came the devastating
fire of tho ninth of November
Upon viewing the scene of desola-
ton, and calculating the chances
and necessities OF business Mr..
resolved he would mol, i'm
mediately seek new quarters for the
continuance of his trade. He had
no need, and did not care to do it
SO he secured on. Office where he
could meet and consult with his
correspondents, and settle outstand
ing accounts, in pursuance of which
only the services of his private
secretary anil two book keepers
were required.
The three clerks were summoned
10 the merchants presence. He
Told them what he had concluded
10 doand why he had 80 concluded.
md he advised that they should
seek some other employment until
he was ready to start again.
81 shall build as soon as posi-
ble, he said, land then your old
places will be open for you. In the
meantime, If you are hard pushed.
do not hesitate to come 70 me. for.
assistance.
Within two weeks from that time
both Philip Lewis ana Clarence
Bngbee called upon Mr.. Beverly,
ind asked for the loan of hun
1red dollars each. They had been
unable to find employment, and in
srrears for board. The merchant
kindly gave them the money with
! little fatherly advice touching
care and economy. ~
One day after this, as Philip and
Clarence were walking down the
olackened truck that had once been
Franklin street, they saw a young
nan in a guernsey frock, working
It the windlass of a derrick, amid
he ruins of the old store, whom
hey thought they recognized. They
crossed over and found 1t to be
heir fellow clerk, George Acton.
I'm mercy's name, George, what
ioes this meant Is it only an es
'apade of yours!' M
'sNo," answered Acton, wiping
he sweat from his brow, II am fair
y and honestly at work, and I can
'arn two dollars a day. That's bet.
er than loafng'
"Heavens!" cried Phillip Lewis,
With start, ''here comes Mr.. Bev.
rly and Florence. Go and hide
'ourself, Acton, before they see
'ou."A IL IL II 9T
But the young laborer did not |
Judge an inch. Just then the boss |
allied out to '''hoist awayr' and |
ieorge applied himself to the work. |
Meantime Mr.. Beverly and his |
came upon the scene once
lore to look upon the ruins of the
rand store house. Lewis and |
lr1r4on koxvnI lxs ~ stttEs L