Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-01-06

very distinctly now, owing to storm
of dust, dirt and cobwebs which have
obscured it as long as I can remem-
Der. / sometimes wonder whether
Clarence ever was in imagination
on the deck of that brig, as I have
been hundred times when [ was a
boy, careening over the bright seas, and
whether the whole thing ever became
to him as it was to me, q kind of picto-
rial flying Dutchman. When [ wanted
Clarence [ had hardly ever to rap on
the glass for him. The boy seemed to
anticipate my wishes, and would jump
up when [ even moved my finger. This
alacrity on his part was sign of servil-
ity which [ despised. [ should have
liked to have seen myself when [ was in
that boys place trying to be quick and
obliging. Of course did my duty thor
oughly when l was our boy. If [ was
treated then with contempt perhaps it
was the best for me, and as [ always
have had plenty of spirit. | returned
exactly what [ received. / do not think
I have altered much as to temper since
the time / was our boy--nor now as a
clerk do [ see the necessity for any
change. Seventy five dollars month,
and am thirty five, with an old mother
to Repeater twenty years service IN
the house--ls not a sum calculated to
engender much kindly feeling, though
l suppose it is about as much AS | am
worth.
/ had noticed that Clarence, general
" a silent boy, had adisposition toward
expansiveness with me, which was dis
gushing. l think it was May day, some
two years since, when looaing through
the window on Gold street, our boy hap
pened to see some lad or other, with
baseball bat under his arm, walking
gaily along. / think the remark Clar-
ence made was, ''Wouldn't he like to
be that boy2 1t looked so jolly, and
did Mr.. Culpepper (that is my name)
ever play base ball?" [, of course,
utterly squelched the boy at once, and
for all time as he fully deserved. Still
Clarence would not remain put down.
[ remember once when it was raining he
offered to go and bring ne my luncheon,
remarking, CAS- it was raining hard, and
L had no umbrella, aud that / seem ed
to have bad cold, he would 90 and
fetch it." Now, am and was the last
kind of thing. Everybody in the world,
n the street and in the otfice-and in
the office is an epitome of the world
is for himself, and such presumption on
the part Ct our boy, who ate cheese
every day for his breakfast and dinner,
was as much out of place as if I, with
my threadbare coat on, had dared to of
fer my arm to the dashing wife of our
junior partner, when she comes into the
Office. | did not mean to be very rough
with the boy, nor to eat his head off,
but [ ask any one what right has an en-
randboy to have feelings? Bless you,
boys should not be sensitive When I
think of the lots of snubbing [ received,
and how / bravely got over it all!
There is our junior, the son of the old
gentleman, the founder of the house.
The old man when he was alive knew
his place and I knew mine. He would
nod to me when l came in, and once
month about would exchange a word
with me. I do not believe the Junior
even knows my name, and as to recog-
nizing me, | fancy it would be as
great a condescension on his part as
If he was to take off his hat
to a street-sweeper. But it is not about
myself [ am writing, but about Clarence
This lunch episode ended by my open
ing my window with sudden jar and
dropping the money on Clarence's table
without word. hemean-spirited fell
low absolutely smiled, and went out
with alacrity. If [ had been in his
place fifteen years ago / would have let
the money stay there forever, or thrown
it at the fourth clerk head But boys
have not now the pluck that distin-
gulshed them In our time. Presently
he came back and handed me my
luncheon. [ never thanked him. I
put it on the cover of the ledger, and
let 1t stay there. [ had no appetite for
it. [ sat furtively watching Clarence.
Presently he opened his old drawer and
took out his miserable food. This time
it was minute crust and no cheese,
Why hadn't the boy cheese? I opened
my glass window and dropped my sand
wlch and pie before him.
" Where's your cheese, boy 2" I ask
ed.
s. "A Air got any, sir
No answer. What was it my business?
l did not want any of his confidence. 7
" Eat that sandwich, you little wretch,
and that pie, and don't bother me-" and
l snapped to my window in rage and
went to add up my columns of figures;
but somehow they wouldn't add. [ /
must needs watch Clarence. He was
munching his bread, with his back
turned to me, and my lunch was on the |
table, untouched. Some boys are exas-
perating. Clarence was especially so.
l raped at my window. The boy was
at my side. "You will go over to Mar
tins stores in Brooklyn and take this
order; and go quickly. Don't dawdle. /
You are wanted back here in an hour to .
go over to the Cunard steamer wharf. I
What makes you shake SO, you little .
wretch Why don't you eat your
luncheon?" La +
" Because I amt hungry Fancy I !.
ain t well. Afraid I could not be back in
the hour; legs kind of weak, sir" Clar-
ence replied T .dts2 ~
"Spend your money at he Bowery
or Tony Pastors, suppose, and sit up
lot E.