The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-12-17

cepted n place in his own large estab-
! lishment, with frank confession of his
profound ignorance of all business af-
fairs, but in earnest resolution to learn
well and speedily whatever appertained
to the duties entrusted to him.
1t was not many weeks before Mr..
Haines congratulated himself upon the
acquisition of his new clerk. He told
Bertha marvellous stories OF Raymond's
rapid progress and the strides he was
making in his new life, knowing of the
long nights spent in poring over ledgers
and accounts, the many misgivings the
new clerk felt. The same active brain
and quick intelligence the young student
had brought to gain college honors now
stood in good stead in mastering the in
tricacies in invoices, bookkeeping, and
counting-hous mysteries, and Raymond
gained favor rapidly in the eyes of his
employer.
1t is a question whether actual merit
would have advanced him quite SO fire.
quently as he was promoted, hard as he
worked, and steadily as he improved.
But Mr.. Haines worslipped his only
child, and the burst OF tears in the
cOultluR- -lOlSc lOlOl lllll lllc StCltt lDtI
tina successfully concealed from all 9th.
ers A self-made man himself, with an
ample fortune TO the one Bertha already
held, he laid no stress on money i'll think
ing of a son-in-law. Energy, industry,
integrity, these were the foundations of
his own fortune, and these were the
qualities he desired in life companion
for the child who was the hope and pride
of his old age.
The closer ties were bound that dl
Raymond Thurston to him in business,
the more he honored and esteemed the
sterling worth of the man he SO long re-
garded as mere butterfly of fashion,
one OF fashions spoiled children. And
learning to respect his worth he had also
learned to love the frank, bright face,
the clear ringing voice, and the ever
ready courtesy of the young clerk. 1t
grew to be very frequent occurrence
for him to ask the support of the strong,
youn% arm when the streets were slip
perry, and Mt the door to invite Raymond
to dine, sure of beaming look of pleas
ure from Bertha.
There came a day, after two long years
of faithful service, when Raymond was
informed in the privacy of his counting
house, that junior partnership was his
if he would accept it. Some emotion
checked the utterance of Raymond's
heartfelt gratitude. He extended his
hand, to meet a cordial grasp, and
hear:
"Yes, yes / know. And now, if you
want to tell Bertha the news, you can
take holiday"
May tell her more? May tell her
lovc-that the one hope of my life is to
win her love in return 2"
"You may tell her that / have been
your most sincere friend and warmest
well -wisher for two years. You may tell
her." and the old mans eyes twinkled,
"that l have looked upon you as sou
ever since the day she met you driving
an express wagon"
And behaved like an angell"
"Yes, yes, of course, they always do.
There ; get along with You. I'm busy.
Take my love to Bertha, if you are not
overburdened with your own.
And so-you know the rest. There
was wedding, and Amabel gave the
bride parure of diamonds, and owned,
when in burst of confidence Bertha told
her the whole story, and, after all,
Thuston's pride was never so good in
the end as Raymond's pride.