Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-03-30
IscELLANEo US.
THE TWO CLERKS,

1ab wv ULhhkS,
sisN Market Square, in the pleasant city of
E Merrypor., was a crockeryware store
over the door of which was black sign
bearing in gilt letters the name of Bcuiamin
hudson For many years this crockery store
had been there, with the great pitcher hang.
ing IN front for sign; indeed, when MI.
Hudson first opened the store, some forty
years previous, be was quite young man.
and the sign over his door was bright and
handsome; the owuer was called ''Old Hpd.
son" by all the boys aud girls of the city.
Mr.. Benjamin. Hudson had grown rich in
his business, for he had conducted il nil
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 Q
some blunders during lifetime, but by skill
tul management he quickly recovered from
them. Sixty-ive years had begun to bsnd
over Mr. I'll udson's shoulders asd dim the
brightness Of his eye, aud he found business
more irksome than it formerly had been.
Il must have partner" said he one dsy
to himself as he sat before cheerful FIRE
must have some one interested in the bu>
siness who Is young and active, aud will
take the weight off my shoulders. for I do
not caro- to do as l useu to-"
Now, in Mr.. Hudson's employ were two
young meu-Herbert Bond aud 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 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 great stir about it.
Il must have Herbert or Charles for
partner" soliloqnized Mr.. Hudson; "ou
which can 1 decide? They both do very
we'll in the store, but ought to know some,
thiog OF them out of the store, and am
sorry to say that is point have never paid
proper attention to. My clerks come hero in
the morning and go away at night; what be-
comes of them over night, l know not. and
yet ought to know. Neither of them has
parents in the city; they live in some of the
numerous boardDg-houses and hope arc
steady and wcll>behsved. must see them
in their homes, aud then decide which shall
be my partner"
| The next day Mr.. Hudson ascertained the
boarding places of his clerks, without letting
them know for what purpose, and after sup
per that evening his wife and daughters were
somewhat astonished to see him 90 To the
hall and put on his coat and hat
''Where are you going, pa pa?" asked Lily.
the youngest daughter, who could hardly re.
member the evening when her father had
not remained at home. -a
Il am going to make a call, Lily. on two
young men of my acquaintance; i shall not
be long gone." replied Mr. Hudson. and bid.
ding them goodbye Immediately started out.
Herbert's boarding house was the pearer
OF the two, and here Mr.. Hudson stopped
| first.
1t was neas-Iookiug house, in a very
1 nj
| opened the door Wheo Mr.. hudson rang.
| "Does young man named Herbert Bond
board here?"
''He does. Walk in, sir, and will call
him" replied the woman
81 will go to his room, if you will show me
where it is" answered Mr. Hudson; Il pre-.
sumo he is in it?"
II think so; he is seldom out in the even
ing. You can step up there if you like, sir ;
go up two flights, and the frst door to tho
right is the one" replied Mrs. Buntin
MIR. Hudson ruffed up the stairs and
knocked with his cane ct the designated
door. 1t was opened by Herbert, who looked
very much amazed when be saw lis employer
AID said:
"Why, Mr.. Hudson, is anything the mat.
ser In the store! Nothing happened out oi
the way. hope?"
"No-nothing-nothi at all, said Mr.
Hudson, walking in and taking chair. 81
took notion to call around and see how YOU
were this evening"
Bond expressed himself very glad to gee
his employer, end while be took his hat spd
cane, Mr. Hudson glanced around the room
1t was an attic room, with dormer windows
good fire was burning in an open CRATE Z;
book rack filed with books adorned one sid,
of the room, asd the center of the f,oor wa
occupied BY table on which were writin,
material.
"You look very cosy here. Herbert; bu
Why do you have an attic room2 Are Their
none you can have below stairs?"
20, yes, sir; but this is dollar veeI
cheaper, and have all the more mouey L
send to my father" replied Herbert
Isn't your father well Off" inquired Mr
Hudson.
mot very. sir; he used to be pretty rich
bat his business was disastrous. and he lost
good deal of money" said Bond.
"Wbat do you find to do evenipgsa Doe
not time hang very heavJ?"
20, no, sir! have books to read and let
ters to write. Tonight am writing home
they want me to make them visit. but
write that i. is pretty busy time inst now