The Placer herald., 1873-01-25

THE NEW CLERK.


"How's business ?" inquired the latter.
"Al right; got new clerk. d"
'Got a new clerk, ell ? Where is Jones ?"
Discharged him. A wild, extravagant
young dog"
"True enough, and the new one won't do
any better. Drinking, gambling, late hours,
fast horses-that's the way with them all. !"
And Smith groaned
Jenkins eyes twinkled He well knew
the peculiarities of his good-natured but &C.
centric bachelor partner.
"Well, the new clerk don't drink nor
gamble. am sure of that, and has thus
far been very attentive and industrious.
"Thus far? Oh, yes, Wait a month.
New brooms sweep clean"
ooh, well, if the new clerk don't suit you,
you can send the new clerk adrift, that all.
| took her-ahem-on trial. :"
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner
81 suppose the new clerk has name %
he remarked dryly.
"Oh yes Her-that is-to say-the
new clerk 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 of the counter, without glancing
either TO the right or left. But when he
reached his private office, at the further end
he looked through the glass door, which was
so situated that he could see all that was
going on in the store.
As his eyes fell upon the occupant of
desk near the door, he started.
"What's that p he said, turning sharply
to his partner, who had followed him.
jenkins gazed composedly at the slender
FORM whose graceful head was bent intently
over a ledger that lay upon desk.
"That? Why, that's the new clerk. "
Smith rubbed his eyes and looked again.
"Why, it's woman" he exclaimed, with
an air of incredulity and horror.
81 should say it was, said jenkins, cool
ly, "aud a confounded pretty one at that"
Smith gave his partner look Of virtuous
Indignation.
"Mr jenkins, this is no place for wo-
man"
"Think not? Now it strikes me she fits
the place very nicely"
"rhe proper place for a woman is the
sanctuary of home," which he had read
somewhere, and which he considered as a
clincher in such an argument.
But suppose she hasn't any?'
This WAS a poser, and in his efforts to sur
mount it, Mr. Smith got exc ted.
"Hasn't any? Why, sir, she must-she
ought to have one
every true In fact, so confident am
on this point, that have thought of offering
her mne-or at least to share it with her.
"Mr. jenkins, this is not fit subject for
jest"
"It's a serious matter know; so on the
whole perhaps had better think it over a
while longer. Besides, there is no knowing if
she would accept my offer, together with the
incumbrarce that goes with it,.
This was pet observation of Mr.. Smith.
jenkins, returned Smith, severely, "will
n hand ? his woman must 90.
every well; you told me you wanted
clerk who was faithful and industrious, tina,
didn't spend lis salary and all that 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 bright
ening at the suggestion. "Just tell her she
does not exactly suit, and we shan't need
her after to-day"
"But she does suit me; and if you are not
suited, all that you have got to do is to tell
her so.
"You hired her.
"And FOR that reason I won't discharge
her without some good canse."
"No matter" returned Smith, indifiently.
II can discharge her. | think am equal to
that much.
jenkins, who had left the room, put his
head back a minute later.
"Bet you hundred dollars you don't do
it,"
With this parting shot he disappeared.
Now Smith had nervous horror Of wo-
men, AS his partner well knew-especially
young women--and never spoke to one II he
could help it.
Had it been a man lie would have known
what to say, and experienced no difficulty in
saying it; but a woman was quite another
thing
But his partners last words had touched
his pride, and summoning all his resolution,
he walked in.
But his courage failed him as he came op-
posite the desk where she sat, and he passed
by, glancng sideways at the unconscious oc-
cupant, who did not lift her head as he ap-
preached.
After speaking to clerk in the further
end of the room, he walked slowly back to
whore the young lady sat, and who, as he
passed, raised pair of soft blue eyes, shoot
ng bewilderng glance in Smiths that he
| felt to the toe of his boot.
"Miss-Miss--" he stammered.
"My name is Georgianpa, said the young
lady, smiling. "Some call me George, for
short"
"Well, Miss George-Georgiana, | am
afraid you will find your situation rather un
| pleasant"
"Not at all sir On the contrary, | find
| il verv nlaasant and comfortable" "