The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-09-29
Three Fine Young Men.

A proud man was Mr.. Abel Leonard
proud Of his house and everything il
it, proud Of his elegant and accomplish
ed daughter, proud of his long estab
lished business as a merchant.
Abel Leonard has been heard to
boast that he had in his counting house
the three finest young men in the city.
There was his own son Charley-he
was certainly a fine young man, and
his father was more than a little proud
of him.
Then there was Evan Jones, the head
book-keeper. Certainly Mr.. Evan Jones
was fine young man.
Thirdly, a sort of head clerk and
general manager, who made himself
felt everywhere, and of whom even his
employer was half inclined to stand in
awe-there was Walter Sterne, with an
expression of self-contained frmness
about his full, solid looking lips that
forbade any one denying that Walter
Sterne was very fine young man.
Three very fine young men were
these, and undoubtedly Abel Leonard
was justified in being proud of them ;
but the time had come, in the natural
course of human events, when the old
gentleman must necessarily be puz
zled.
For forty years he had no partner in
business, and for half that time he had
accustomed himself to look upon his
daughter Belle as girl but now two
important facts were slowly dawning
upon him. One was that he must
speedily assign the charge of his bust
ness to younger and more active man.
agement and the other was. that two
of his very fine young men were rival
ing each other in well direct efforts to
establish even nearer connection with
himself than that of partner in business.
Abel Leonard had always pretended
to keep sharp eye after his books and
balances; but of late years this had
been little more than a pretence, until
now that he seriously contemplated a
change in his arrangement he once
more made practical reality of his
former examinations No one but
himself knew this, however, for Abel
Leonard was not talkative man.
Perhaps the old gentleman was not
rs quick at figures AS he had once been
and there were some accounts that puz-
zled him sadly. AT all events he went
over them again and again.
Still he called no one to his assistance
though, az Charley was cashier, Evan
Jones head book-keeper, and it was
Walter Sterne's duty to go over things
after them, he could very easily have
had everything explained. To be sure
Walter had been absent for two or
three days just before the worst of the
puzzle came. That night Abel
Leonard went home with clouded
brow, and good deal less pride than
usual in his heavy step.
"There can be no doubt of it-no
doubt of it whatever; there's deficit
of eight hundred in the cash account,
and it was well covered up too; false
additions, and what not; but they
could not deceive old Abel | wonder
how long this thing has been going
on?'
Aud then, as if somebody whispered
to him there came the thought of Wal
ter Sterne's bank account, so very large
for young man with his salary and
expenses.
The next day, Abel Leonard sent
down word that he was i'll, and did not
make his appearance on that or the
day following, so that the three fine
young men had it all their own way.
The second evening Walter Sterne
came up to the house to make one of
his frequent calls, lie was received as
usual, made good report of the bust
ness, but he seemed TO have some
thing heavy on his mind.
After the talk with the old gentle
man, there followed a very interesting
call in the parlor and never before had
Belle Leonard seemed so subdued in
her manner or sosweetly engaging. To
such an extent did her manner and the
half pleading expression of her face
work upon the already pretty we'll
formed determination of her young
friend, that the secret, which for a long
time had been only half a secret, forced
its way to its lips in rush of earnest
aud eloquent avowal.
Belle bowed her face upon her hands
for a moment, and then raised it, pale
as n marble, but as firm.
"Nlr Sterne must give time for con
sideration, If he will call again to
morrow evening | will give him his an
swer"
Walters fellow clerk was destined to
receive very similar reply to a very
similar question, only that Evan was
put off somewhat indefinitely.
Still later that same evening, two
very fine young men were walking
down Regent street, when one said tC
another
"Eyan, cant go to the old gentle
man for more money just now-hav'
you any to spare2
Not a penny, You know how un
lucky we've been OF late"
Cant you raise some7"
"Dont think | can. You know Nv,
done a good deal for you already" sai'
Evan,
"Ies but that will be all right wheI
you marry Belle"
"fes' you must helpme then replie
Evan
why don't you propose2"
| hl did tbat Var, thtn.. Al