The daily gazette., 1879-04-26
TRUE AND FALSE.
BY MAGGIE BRANDON.

Mr.. Beverly was merchant, wealthy,
respected aud influential, doing a busi-
ness large enough to satisfy the ambition
Of any man.
Previous to the fell swoop of the fire
fiend, his warehouse reared its granite
front on high, and multitudinous and
bulky were the bales and boxes that
found daily transit to and from the busy
mat.
In Mr.. Beverly's employ were three
clerks-George Acton, Philip Lewis and
Clarence Bugbee-who had entered to
learn the mercantile business, and who
had given promise Of proficiency.
The fact that they had been retained
IN the house year or more, was proof
positive to those who knew Mr.. Beverly
that they were of industrious, steady
habits, and youths of promise.
AT his home Mr.. Beverly had among
his children daughter-Florence by
name-who often came TO the warehouse
and whom the CLERKS had met at her
fathers house.
These clerks could be gay and gallant
on occasion, but never toward Florence
Beverly.
The feeling they entertained toward
hci was oiic AKIN 10 WORSHIP.
In their hearts they adored her altar off
Igiving her respectful attention, and prz-
ing her smile of recognition as priceless
boon.
| So far as the family connections of
these three young men were concerned,
they were all honorable, respected people
but none of them wealthy.
Br. Beverly was not wont to seek his
trusted servants among those who had
been reared in ease and luxury.
; On certain occasion, Mr.. Beverly was
. heard to remark, that he would rather
give his daughter in marriage to man
poor in purse, who could bring the wealth
OF pure and upright heart, than to the
, possessor of thousands, whose manhood
was tainted in the least degree.
This remark came to the knowledge
OF the clerks, and it is not surprising that
they thereupon experienced wild and
brilliant day dreams in which most stu
pendous and dazzling castles We're con-
; structed in the air.
, As time passed on they became more
. and more familiar with klorence's sweet
! smile, and were admitted to a degree of
8 friendship which proved, at least, that
she did not despise them.
At length came the devasting fire.
Upon viewing the scene of desolation
J, and calculating the chances and the ne.
. cessities of business, Mr.. Beverly resoly.
r. | ed that he would not Immediately seek
now quarters for the continuance of his
:. trade.
He had no need, and he did not care to
o it; so he secured an Office where he could
meet and consult with his correspond.
J, | ents, and settle outstanding events, IN
pursuance Of which only the services OF
: his private secretary and two bookkeep-
ers were required.
The three clerks were summoned to
= the merchants presence.
!. He told them wbat he had concluded
: to do, and why he had so concluded, and
he advised that they should seek some
: other employment until he was ready to
! start again.
81 shall rebuild as soon as possible, :"
!. he said, "and then your old places will
be open for you. In the meantime, IT
you are hard pushed, do not hesitate to
come to me for assistance"
Within two weeks from that time, both
Philip Lewis and & .arence Bugbee call
, ed upon Mr.. Beverly, and asked for the
loan Of twenty pounds each.
. They had been unable to find employ
i ment, and were in arrears.
e The merchant kindly gave them the
= money, and with little fatherly advice
l
One day after this, las Philip and Clar-
! ence were walking by the blackened
track, they saw young man, in a guern
g sey frock, working at a windlass amid the
: runs OF the old ware house, whom they
: thought they recognized
They crossed over, and found 1t to be
: their fellow-clerk, George Acton.
= They were astounded aDd scandalized.
i "In mercy's name, George, what does
this mean? Is it only an escapade of
= lyoursW
y "No," answered Acton, wiping the
sweat from his brow, ~ am fairly and
honestly at work, and earn Ave shill-
ings day. That's better than begging
"HeaveDsw p cried Philip Lewis, with a
Istart, "here come Mr.. Beverly and Flor
!. ence. Go and hide yourself, Acton, be-
y fore they see you"
y But the young laborer did not bulge
4 an inch.
!. just then the foreman called out to
!, "hoist away !" and George applied him.
}, self to the work.
: Meantime Mr.. Beverly and his daugh-
= ter had come upon the scene, once more
: to look upon the ruins of the grand ware
q house.
i Lewis and Bugbee bowed respectfully,
and then drew aside in modification that
one of their fraternity should be found in
y SO menial position, for 1t was evident
l
nized the youth in the garb and CRIME of
toll, as the former clerk.
"Halloaw cried Mr.. Beverly, as soon
9 as he was sure that his eyes had not de.
i ceived him. SIS this you, George Ac-
= tom"
< ayes, sir" replied our hero.
His face was flushed, but it was with
heaithful labor, and not with shame-the
70 steady brightness Of his eyes showed
=, that.
, "Are you regularly hired here?"
- "Yes, sir. The contractor gave me this
,e berth until can find one better"
is "What does he pay you?"
h "Just the same as he pays the others
10 five shilllngs day but earn one extra
IN the evening by keeping his accounts
It's better than nothing, sir. L tried te
find clerkship; but there were at least
a dozen applicants for every vacant
10 place. OF course l couldn't starve; and
while l have health and strength, l viii
neither beg nor run in debt. l wa,
st brought up to work, and, thank Heaven
l neither afraid of it nor do l feel abov,
It,"
"Hoist away |" shouted the foreman.