Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-08
VOL. 71.-3621. NO. 81.

She said the last words very earnestly,
raising her dark eyes TO his face.
"Do you really wish me TO come now 2"
he asked
"T do"
"Then will come must say good
morning;" and he left her, with a most
courteous bow
But while the great express wagon ratified
down the street, Miss llaines turned away
from the store she had been about to enter.
and re-entered her carriage.
=" To my fathers" she said to the driver,
and few minutes later the merchant looked
up from his ledgers to see his only child, IN
a faultless walking dress, entering the count
ing house.
" Another check l' he said. moving chair
to her. How much this time %
Nothing. ! want 10 talk 10 YOU. Shut
the door, so those horrid men cant hear me-"
The door closed, and privacy in the sane
tum secured, Bertha astonished her paternal
relative by bursting into passion Of weep
ing
why, Bertha " he cried.
Never mind, papa. II is all over, now.
DO you remember what you said to me when
Raymond Thurston asked for some employ
ment here p"
Not exactly"
81 do. You said that man brought op
rs he had been would want sinecure that
he never would come down 10 real work, and
that you had no position for fine gentlemen
that his offer to take subordinate position
and learn business was simply farce
Did say all that, Bertha
ITO me you did. suppose you dismissed
him politely enough. But, papa, If you
| thought he was really in earnest-really
meant to work for living would you give
him a chance here 2"
Yes. lie has capacity, brains, aud
splendid address. But he has been an idler
all his life
He is no idler now. He is driving an
express cart"
Bertha"
lie is. met him not an hour ago.T lie
thought | was going TO cut him. As If,
she added. with magnificent scorn, would
slight an old friend in adversity."
Bless my soul Driving an express
wagon Ned Thurston's boy Educated
at Harvard Dear me Did you notice
whose wagon it was, Bertha ?"
Bertha had not noticed, and the old gen-
tleman hustled into his coat and started for
the office. At dinner he informed Bertha
that Raymond had accepted place in his
own large establishment, with frank con
fession Of his own profound ignorance Of all
business affairs, but in earnest resolution to
learn well and speedily whatever apper
tanned to the duties entrusted TO him.
1t was not many weeks before Mr.. llaines
congratulated himself upon the acquisition
OF his new clerk. lie told Bertha marvel
Gus 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, and the
many msgiyings the new clerk felt. The
same active brain and quick intelligence the
new student had brought to gain college
honors, now stood in good stead in master
ing the intricacies of invoices, book keeping,
and counting-house mysteries, and Raymond
gained favor rapidly in the eyes of his
employer.
1t Is question whether actual merit
would have advanced him quite so frequently
as he was promoted hard as he worked, and
steadily as he improved. But Mr.. llaines
worshipped his only child, and the burst of
tears in the counting-house told him the Sc
cret Bertha had successfully concealed from
others. A self-made man himself, with an
ample fortune to add to the one Bertha al
ready held, he laid no stress upon money in
thinking of a son-in-law. Energy, industry
and integrity were the foundation stones of
his own fortune, and these were the qualities
he desired in a life compapion for the child
who was the hone and pride of his old age.
The closer lies were bonnd that drew Raw
mond Tbnrston 10 him in business, the more
he bonored and esteemed the sterling worth
of the man he so long regarded as mere
butterfly of fashion, one of fashions spoiled
children. Aud learning to respect his worth,
he also learned to love the frank, bright face,
the clear. ringing voice. and the eyer-ready
conrtesv of he voung clerk. II grew 10 be
n yerv freonent occurrence for him to ask
the snpnort of The strong vounp arm. when
tbe streets we're slinnerv and al the door in.
yite RAYMOND 10 dine, sure of a beaming
look of pleasure from Bertha.
There came A day. after two long wears of