Sharp County record., 1880-03-25
THE TWO CLERKS.

In Market Square, in the pleasant city
of Merryport, was crockeryware store,
over the door of which was black sign
bearing in gilt letters the name OF Ben
Jamin Hudson. For many years this
a,rockery store had been there, with the
great pitcher hanging in front for sign;
indeed. when Mr.. Hudson first opened
Che 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
Che 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 couduct-
ed it all himself, and taken care that
nothing should be wasted or lost by
neglect. He had made mistakes, to be
surel AS every man will make some
blunders during lifetime, but by skill
full management he quickly recovered
from them. Sixty-fve years had begun
to bend over Mr.. Hudson's shoulders
and dim the brightness OF his eye, and
he found business more irksOme than it
formerly had been.
al must have partner" said he one
day to himself, as he sat before cheer
fui fire. 81 must have some one inter-
ested in the business who is young and
active, and will take the weight off my
shoulders, for | do not care to do as L
used to-"
Now, in Mr.. Hudson'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
well. Charles did his work quickly, and
had a smart way about him that made
people think he was greatly superior to
Herbert, who had more quiet demeanor
and accomplished quite as much without
making a great stir about it.
81 must have Herbert or Charles for
L partner" solloquized Mr.. Hudson !;
sson which can / decide? They both
do well enough in the store, but l ought
to know something of them out of the
store, and l am sorry to say that is a
point | have never paid proper atten-
fion to. My clerks come here in the
morning and 90 away at night; what
becomes of them over night | know
not, and yet ought to know. Neither
of them have parents in the city; they
live in some of the numerous boarding
houses and l hope are steady and we'll
behaved. | must see them in their
homes, and then decide which shall be
my partner =,
The next day Mr.. Hudson ascertained
the boarding-places of his clerks, with
out letting them know for what purpose,
aud after supper that evening his wife
and daughters were somewhat aston
jshed to see him 60 to the hall and put
on his coat and hat.
"Where are you going, papa?" asked
LILY, the youngest daughter, who could
hardly remember the evening when her
father had not remained at home.
81 am going to make call, Lily, on
two young men of my acquaintance; l
shall not be long gone" replied Mr..
Hudson, and biddingthem goodbye i'm
xnediately started out.
Herbert's boarding-house was the
nearer of the two, and here Mr.. Hudson
stopped first.
1t was neat-looking house, in very
pleasant street. Mrs. Buntin, the land
lady, opened the door when Mr.. Hudson
rang.
"Does young man named Herbert
Bond board here9"
"He does. Walk in, sir, and | will
call him. replied the woman.
"I will 60 to his room, if you will
show me where it is" answered Mr..
Hudson; 81 presume he is in it?''
"I think so; he is seldom out in the
evening. You can step up there if you
like. sir: 90 up two flights, and the first