The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-11
Select Storp.
THE NEW CLERK.

"All right; got new clerk.
"Got a new clerk, eh ? Where is Jones?''
Discharged him. An idle, extrava-
CANT young dog"
"True enough, and the new one won't
do any better. Drinking, gambling, late
hours, fast horses--thats the way with
them all"
Aud Smith groaned.
jenkins eye twinkled. He well knew
the peculiarities of his good-hearted but
eccentric bachelor partner.
aWell, the new clerk don't drink nor
gamble. I'm certain of that, and has
thus far been very attentive and indus
trious,"
"Thus farY Oh, yes. Wait month.
New brooms sweep clean"
"Oh, we'll, if the new clerk don't suit
YOU, YOU eau send the clerk adrift, that's
ALL took her-ahcm-tho new clerk
on trial "
Mr.. Smith stared at his partner.
81 suppose the new clerk has name, y
he remarked dryly.
"oh, yes Hcr-that is-to say-the
new clerks name is Gardner. But here
we are
As was his usual custom, Mr.. Smith
4 went through the store, past the array Of
4 clerks on either side Of the counter, with
& out 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 bis eyes fell upon the occupant of a
desk near the door, he started.
"what's that ?" he said, turning sharply
10 bis partner, who had followed him.
jenkins gaEed compossdly at the slender
form, whose graceful head was bent in
lently over ledger that lay upon the desk.
That? Why, that's the new clerk"
Smith rubbed his eyes and looked again.
"Why, It's woman y he exclaimed,
with an air of incrcdulity aud horror.
alshould say 1t was" said jenkins,
,OOIy, "and confoundedly pretty one at
that
Smith gave his partner look of virtu-
Gus Indignation.
'Mr. jenkins, this is no place for a
woman"
"Thiuk not? Now it strikes me she
fis the place very nicely"
"Thc proper place for woman is the
nnctuary of home" which he had read
nmewhere, and which he considered as a
sincher in such an argument.
But suppose she hasn't any?"
This was poser, and in his efforts to
iarmount il Mr.. Smith got excited.
Hasn't any? Why, sir, she must-she
ought to have one"
avery true. In fact, so confident am
Ion this point that / have thought of
'fering her mine-or, or at least, 50 share
b with her,"
Mr.. jenkins, this is not ct subject
hrjest,"
It's serious matter, l know; so on
as whole, perhaps l had better think it
over while longer. Besides, there is no
moving If she would accept my offer,
kgeiher with the incumbance that goes
siih IT,"
This was a pet observation Of Mr.. Smith.
Jenkins" returned Smith, severely,
vii you cease triaing and attend to the
lssiness in hand ? This woman must 60
Very well; you told me you wanted a
'kfk who was faithful and industrious,
'aas didn't spend his salary and ali that he
saad steal on fast horses aud the like, and
lgOt you one. It's m easy matter to
snd her off,"
@Of course il u.s." rejoined Smith,
tightening at the suggestion. "Just tell
NJ she does not exactly suit, and that we
'hant need her after to-day"
" But she does suit me; and if you are
la suited, all you have got to do is to tell
la so"
You hired her"
And for that reason | won't discharge
nsf without some good cause.
" No natter returned Smith, indiffer-
aty. 81 can discharge her. think
" equal TO that much.
senkins, who had left the room, put his
aeAd back minute later.
Bet you hundred dollars you don
Dit
with this parting shot he disappeared.
NOW Smith had nervous horror Of
'onen, as his partner well knew-espec'-
ny young women--and never spoke 70
ae y be could help il.
had il been man he would have
aoHn what to say, and experienced DO
'nenlsy in saying il, but woman was
ute another thing.
But his partners last words bad touches
Y pride, and summoning all his rcsOlu'
'a, he walked in.
Dai his courage failed him as he came
p'slse the desk where she sat, and DC
ned BY glanciDg sidewise at the uncOn,
eus occupant, who did not liit her nca0
hs approached.
ni'er speaking to clerk in the iaI'h''
~ Of the room, he walked slowly o'cI
I where the young lady sat, and Who q
y passed, raised pair Of soft blue eye