Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-06-05

ceasing round of clerks or salesmans
duties. Yards of muslins, silks, prints,
threads, needles, and all the thousand arti-
cles usually kept in a prosperous country
store, passed through his hands with mo-
notonous round Smirks for the gaudily-
dressed customers and hurrying off with
the more humble. Uniform courtesy to
all won the good opinions Of the many,
until it became general remark that
Harry Thomas was the best salesman in
the small country village of Linton.
Many offers Of easier employment and
better wages were held out to Thomas,
with view to induce him to change his
then situation, but all in vain. II am sat
istied as it is was his sole reply. And
so the months rolled into years; yet he
kept plodding on, with some apparent OBJ
ject in view that he alone knew Of.
Yet in all these years the confidence his
employer had of this upright and steady
attention to business was never mentioned
to any one. Closely had he watched the
ways of his clerk, and while he saw many
things that did not suit the fastidious
tastes of an elderly man, he would quietly
declare in his mind that "boys will be
boys" and SO seldom intruded advice to
the one who sorely needed it. However,
there was one thing he did that showed
in more than words the business opinion
he entertained of Harry's tact in being
the best salesman in town-he gradually
increased his wages until they were suf-
ficient for every needful want, leaving a
margin for savings.
-Four years had passed since the two
friends, Harry and Mat, had agreed to
compare notes at the end of the fifth, and
in all this time Harry had not lost sight Of
bIG n ntr-iua fri hn
years had not accumulated much, although
there was balance in his favor in the
hands of his employer So, sitting upon
the counter one stormy day, when but
few customers called, he became absorbed
in column of Hgures that he had penciled
upon some wrapping-paper SO intent
was he, that he did not notice the
entrance of his employer, who stood
with his back TO the stove, closely watch
ing Harry but he soon advanced to Harry,
saying g:-"Thomas how long have you
been in my employ?"
about five years, sir" was the quiet
answer, as he looked up from his calcula-
| tions.
Five years is about as long as I would
like to keep one clerk"
''Sir?" queried Harry, while shadow
| passed over his face as though a dread
communication had been given him.
Il said five years was long enough for
| one person to clerk in this house." coldly
answered Binning, the merchant.
Then you do not wish my services
| longer, | understand you to say?' queried
| Harry, with tremor in his voice.
No, | did not exactly say that. | wish
to know if you have saved more of your
wages than are now in my hands"
Il have just been casting up to see how
| stand, sir. | had vague idea, not vet
fully formed, that-perhaps-I might do
something with my small capital that
| might increase it sOmewhat-and more
have an engagement with a friend to
meet him in a few months now, to see
which is the better business for a man to
tollow-to show the difference between
the accumulations of a merchants sales
man and a farm laborer-and | wish to
outbalance him." replied Harry, with a
smile.
'Well, Thomas, | too have been figur-
ing, and | see | have paid you a trifle
over twenty-three hundred dollars since
you came here"
Yes, sir; and out of that | have saved
about nine hundred"
That is fairly done still I cannot help
thinking it might have been more,'' re
piled Binning
Just what | am trying to get at, and
cannot yet see how | can do much better
than | have. If you can show me in what
way can save a greater average than |
have already done, | shall feel greatly
thankful for the infOrmation.n
Il do not know but you have done well
enough upon your wages; but | have
thought that you might so invest it as to
bring in little-I mean, make your money
earn something for ITSELF" was the mer-
chants answer.
place it at interest, or how?" asked
Harry.
Invest in some business, and go in on
your own responsibility"
Mine hundred will not 90 far after
paying the necessary expense of fitting up
modestly replied Harry,
Exactly so: and yet | think | can see
an easy way for you. There is a small
country store at the Point, seeking a pur-
chaser, and | believe your nine hundred
will enable you to effect a purchase. If
you can do so, [ am willing to aid you
somewhat in getting started"
Il will consider the subject, sir" was
Harry's quiet answer as the merchant
turned away.
Consider it" he did, and the result was
he purchased the stock and good will of
the establishment his employer had refer
red to, and with the assistance of Binning
he was enabled to replenish his stock so
thoroughly that he had no just reason to
complain about his setting up, although
being some encountered with liabilities.
Thus far, all had been pleasant sailing
with Harry Thomas His Cup Of Plenty
seemed not to cease flowing.
PART Iu.-MATTHEw BERNARDs FIVE
YEARS
who is that at the gate, father? some
gentleman, | see,n said Bertha to her
father as she was clearing the dinner
table
The old man arose, and going to the
door, observed genteely dressed young
man ascending the steps, who inquired:
Does Walter Howland live here?"
Il am he; walk in, SIR
Entering the spacious dining-roo ON, and
being seated, he said II am Matthew
Bernard, formerly clerk at Yardstick's, in
Linton, and am seeking place to work
upon farm. | have been referred to YOU
as possible place to find work"
At these words, Deacon Rowland placed
his golden-bowed spectacles calmly on
and looked SO incredulously at Matthew
| for few moments that our friend became
almost ashamed to repeat his object in
calling. and bent his eyes down and Sat