The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-03-13
THE TWO CLERKS.


In Market Square, in the pleasant
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 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 cold 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 during lifetime but by skill
full management he quickly recovered
from them. Sixty-five 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.
81 must have a partner" said he
one day to himself as he sat before q
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 do not care to do as
| used to-"
Now,i Mr.. Hudson's employ were two
young men-Herbert Bond and Charles
SEYMOUR. 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 smart
way about him that made people think
he was greatly superior to Herbert, who
had more quiet demeanor and accom-
plished quite as much without making
a great stir about it.
81 must have Herbert or Charles for
partner" soliloquized Mr.. Hudson,
"on which can decided They both
do very well 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 l have never paid proper atten-
ton to. My clerks come here in the
morning and go away at night; what
becomes of them over night, l 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. l 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 pur-
pose, and after supper that evening his
wife and daughters were somewhat as
tonished to see him 60 to the hall and
put on his coat and hat.
Where are you going, papaP" asked
Lily, the youngest daughter, who could
hardly remember the evening when her
father had not remained at home.
~ am going to make call, Lily, on
two young men of my acquaintance;
shall not be long gone" replied Mr..
Hudson, and bidding them goodbye i'm
mediately started out.
Herbert's clearinghouse was the
nearer of the two, and here Mr.. Hudson
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 a young man named Herbert
Bend board hereP''
"He does. Walk in, sir, and l will
call him." replied the woman.
II will go to his room, if you will
show me where it u.s." answered Mr..
Hudson; g presume he is in itp''
81 think so; he is seldom out in the
evening. You can step up there if you
like, sir; go up two flights, and the first
door to the right is one," replied Mrs.
Buntin.
Mr.. Hudson pulled up the stairs and
knocked with his cane at the desig-
mated door. 1t was opened by Herbert,
who looked very much amazed when
he saw his employer, and SAID:
"Why, Mr.. Hudson, is anything the
matter in the storeP Nothing happen
ed out of the way, hopeP'
"No-nothing-nothing at ALL" said
Mr.. Hudson, walking in and taking a
chair. took notion to call around
and see how you were this evening""
Bond expressed himself very glad to
see his employer, and while he took his
hat and cane, Mr.. Hudson glanced
around the room. 1t was an attic room,
with dormer windows; good fire was
burning in an open CRATE; book-rack
filled with books adorned one side of
the room, and the center of the floor
was occupied by table on which were
writing material.
You look very cosy here, Herbert;
but why do you have an attic roomp
Are there none you can have below
stairsp"
go, yes. sir; but this is a dollar a
WAnk chaanpr and hnun oil a. -