The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-03-27
THE TWO CLERKS.


In Market Square, in the pleasant city of Mer-
ryport was a crockeryware store, over the door of
which was black sign bearing in gilt letters the
name of BENJAMIN Hudson. For many years this
crockery store had been there with the great pitch
er hanging in front for a sign; indeed, when Mr.
Hudson first opened the store, some forty years
previous, he was quite young man, and the sign
over his door was bright and handsome; but now
his ewes 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 conducted 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 life
time but by skillful management he quickly re-
covered 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.
az must have a 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 1 do not to do as I 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 make people think he was
greatly superior to Herbert, who had a more quiet
demeanor and accomplished quite as much with
out making great stir about it.
T'I must have Herbert or Charles for partner"
soliloquized Mr.. Hudson son which can decide?
They both do very we'll in the store, but ought
to know something of them out of the store, and
am sorry to say that is point l have never paid
proper attention to. My clerks come here in the
morning and go away at night; what becomes of
them over night know not, and yet l 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 well-behaved. I must
see them in their homes, and then decide which
shall be my partner"
Thenext day Mr.. Hudson ascertained the board
ing-paces 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 90 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
homo.
"I 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
Immediately started out.
Herbert's boarding house was the nearer Of the
two, and here Mr.. Hudson stopped first.
1t was q neat-looking house in o very pleasant
street. Mrs. Buntin, the landady, opened the
door when Mr.. Hudson rang.
"Does young man named Herbert Bond board
here?"
"He does. Walk in, sir, and 1 will call him."
replied the woman.
'I will 20 to his room, if you will show me where
it is" answered Mr.. Hudson "I presume he is in
it?"
"I 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 pufed up the stairs and knocked
with his cane at the gnated door. 1t opened
by Herbert, who looked very much amazed when
he saw his employer, and said:
"Why, Mr.. Hudson, is anything the matter In
the store Nothing happened out of the way, L
hope {"
"No-nothing g-nothing at all" said Mr.. Hud-
son, walking in and taking q 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; good fire was
burning in an open CRATE; book-rack hlled with
books adorned one side of the room, and the CEN
ter 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 room Are there none you can
have below stairs ?"
go, yes sir but this is dollar week cheaper,
and 1 have all the more money to send to my
father" replied Harbert.
"Isnt your father well off" inquired Mr. Hud-
son.
"Not very, sir he used to be pretty rich, but
his business was disastrous, and he lost good
deal of money" said Bond.
"What do you find to do evenings Does not
time hang very heavy ?"
80, no. sir 1 have books to read and letters to
write. Tonight am writing home; they want
me to make them a visit, but l write that 1t Is a
pretty busy time just now, but when it is over l
Shall ask you for few days of absence" answer
ed Herbert.
"You shall have it willingly" said Mr.. Hudson,
and then he added "Does Charles ever call upon
you"
"No. sir. 1 have asked him to several times,
but he has never called"
care you contented here in this boarding -house?"
inquired Mr.. Hudson.
aIt is a very good boarding-house, and Mrs.
Buntin is very kind but have often wished that
1 could live at home" answered Herbert
"And why can't you How far is it from here !"
asked his employer.
"Twenty-ive miles, sir; rather far to travel
every day, and then 1 can't afford the expense"
was Herbert's reply.
"What time could you reach the store in the
morning?"
"At half-past eight, sir.
"And you would have to leave at what hour in
the afternoon ?"
"At about half-past five, sir"
"Not very bad hours for the business Perhaps
it can be arranged so that you can live at home,
Herbert"
40, 1 should like it so much if I could. I am
so homesick here in the city y was the clerks
reply.
"Well, I'll look into the matter, Herbert. 1t
seems pity that one who is fond Of his home