American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-03-13
THE TWO CLERKS.

| over the door OF WHICH wis Il Dldck Slrli
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 ssOld 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 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.
6" must have a partner" said he one
day to himself, as he sat before a 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
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 a more quiet demeanor
and accomplished quite as much without
making great stir about it.
81 must have Herbert or Charles for
partner soliloquized Mr. Hudson !;
"on which can decide? They both
do well enough in the store, but l ought
to know something of them out of the
store, and am sorry to say that is a
point 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
live in some of the numerous boarding
houses and Ihope are steady and we'll
behaved. Il must see them in their
homes, and then decide which shall be
my partner $50
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 werN, somewhat aston
ished to see him 70 tosthe 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.
81 am going to make call, Lily, on
two young men of my acquaintance; L
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.
It 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 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; 81 presume he is in it?''
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 the one," replied
Mrs. Buntin.
Mr.. Hudson puffed 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 storeP Nothing happened
out of the way, hope!"
"No - nothing - nothing at ALL"
said. Mr.. Hudson, walking in and
taking a chair. "Itook 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; q book-rack filed with books
adorned one side of the room, and
the center of the floor was occupied
terials.
"You look very cozy here, Herbert;
but why do YOU have an attic room?
Are there none you can have below |
stairsp"
80, yes, sir; but this is dollar a |
week cheaper, and 1 have all the more |
to send to my father" replied
Herbert.
Isn't your father well offp''
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?" 1
80, no, sir! l have books to read
and letters to write. Tonight l am
writing home; they want me to make
them a visit, but write that it is a
pretty busy time just now, but when it
is over shall ask you for few days of
ABSENCE" answered Herbert.
You shall have it willingly" said
Mr. Hudson, and then he added:
:" Does Charles ever call upon your
"No, sir 1 have asked him to sew
eral times, but he has never called"
care you contented here in this
house?" inquired Mr.. Hudson.
cit is a very good clearinghouse,
and Mrs Buntin is very kind; but
have often wished that I could live at
home,'' answered Herbert.
"And why can't youP Hbw far is it
from here?' asked his employer.
Twenty-Five miles, sir Szsther far to
travel every day, and then can't af-
ford the EXPENSE" was Herbert's reply.
"What time could you reach the store
in the morningP''
cat half-past eight, SIR
"And you would have to leave at
W1ah hour in the afternOOn?"