, 1880-05-17
The Two Clerks.

In Market Square, in the pleasa Mt
city OF Merryport, was crockeryware
store, over the door of which was a
black sign bearing in gilt letters the
name of Benjamin Hudson. For many
years this crOckery store had been
there, with the great pitcher hanging
in front for a sign; indeed, when Mr..
Hudson first opened the store, some
forty years previous, he was quite a
young man, and the sign over his door
was bright and handsome; but now his
eyes had grown dim, and the owner
was called Old Hudson "by all the
boys and girls of the city.
Mr. Benjamin Hudson had grown
rich in his business, for he had con-
Quoted it all himself, and taken care
that nothing should be wasted or lost
by neglect He had made mistakes, to
be sure, as every man will make some
blunders dnring lifetime, but by
skillful management he quickly recov-
cred from them. Sixty-tive years had
begun to bend over Mr.. Hudson's
shoulders and dim the brightness of
his eye, and he found business more
81 must have partner" said he
one day to himself as he sat before a
cheerful fire. 81 must have some one
interested in the business who Is young
and active, and will take the weight off
my shoulders, for I do not care to do
as used to do"
Now, in Mr.. Hpdson's employ were
two Young men-Herbert Bond and
Charles Sehmour. They had been
with HIM an equal length of time, and
had performed their duties faithfully
and we'll. Charles did his work quick
ly, and had a smart way about him
that made people think he was greatly
superior to Herbert, who had more
quite as much without making great
stir about it.
81 must have Herbert or Charles
for a partner" soliloquized Mr.. Hud-
son; ''on which can l decide? They
both do very we'll in the store, but I
ought to know something of them out
of the store, and am sorry to say that
is point have never paid proper at
tention to. My clerks come here in
the morning and go away at night;
what becomes of them over night l
know not, and yet I ought to know
Neither of them have parents in the
Gus boarding houses, and l hope are
steady and well behaved. I must see
them in their homes, and then decide
which shall be my partner"
The next day Mr.. Hudson ascer-
tained the boarding places of his
clerks, without letting them know for
what purpose, and after supper that
evening his wife and daughters were
somewhat astonished to see him go to
the hall and put on his coat and hat.
Where ere you going, papa ?"
asked Lily, the youngest daughter,
who could hardly remember the even
ing when her father had not remained
at home.
81 am going to make call, Lily, on
two young men of my acquaintance; I
shall not be gone lsng," replied Mr..
Hudson, and bidding them good-by,
Immediately started out.
Herbert's boardin9heuse was the
nearer of the two, and here Mr.. Hud-
son stopped first.
1t was a neat-looking house, in a
very pleasant street. Mrs. Buntin. the
landlady, opened the door when Mr..
Hudson rang.
"Does ysung man named Herbert
Bond board here ?"
"He does. Walk in. sir, and l will
call him." replied the woman.
"I will 60 to his room if wou will
show me where it is" answered Mr..
Hudson; ST presume he is in it p
"I think SO; he is seldom out In the
evening. You cax step up there if you
like, sir; go up two flights and the
first door to the right is the one,' re-
piled Mrs. Buntin.
Mr.. Hudson puffed u I'D
knocked with his cane al ed
door. It was opened ho
looked very much ar he
L