The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-03-04
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 Ben
jamin 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 Conduct
ed 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 a 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 ha6 been.
Z" must have partner" said he one
day to himself, as he sat before cheer
full fire. al 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 q more quiet demeanOr
and accomplished quite as much without
making great stir about it.
81 must have Herb ert or Charles for
a partner" soliloquized Mr.. Hudson
son 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
point have never paid proper atten-
ton 10. My clerks come here In the
morning and 60 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 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,
and after supper that evening his wife
and daughters were somewhat aston
ished to see him 90 to the hall and put
on his coat and hat.
"Whers are you going, papa?" asked
Lily, the youngest daughter, who could
hardly remember the evening when her
father had not remained at home.
/" L 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 neat-looking house, in a very
pleasant street Mrs. Buntin, the land
lady, opened the door when Mr.. Hudson
rang.
s'Does young man named Herbert
Bond board here?"
"He does. Walk in, sir, and l viii
call him" replied the woman.
81 will 90 to his room, if you will
show me where it is" answered Mr..
Hudson; al presume he is in it?''
al 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 the one," replied
Mrs. Buntin.
Mr.. Hudson pulled up the stairs
and knocked with his cane at the
designated door. 1t was opened by
Herbert, who looked very much
amazed when he saw his employer, and
said:
"Why, Mr.. Hudson, is any thing the
matter in the store? Nothing happened
ont of the way, hopein
"No = nothing : nothing at ALL
said Mr.. Hudson, walking in and
taking a chair. 81 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; a
good fire was burning in an open
CRATE; a bOok-rack filed with books
adorned ona side ot The room and