The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-02-04
HIS STORY.
The Life of u Government Clerk.

The Life OIL u Government Clerk
In the January number of ssYhe Cen
tury," Mrs. Burnett, in her story enti-
tied ssThrough One Administrations
she takes you in behind the scenes,
and draws to the life the career and end
and obtain the position Of a govern
ment clerk in Washington.
s'Something has gone. wrong. What
is it, Harry?"
"Nothing has gone wrong," Arbuth-
not answered, with Il short, cherries
laugh. "I have seen a ghost, that is
all.''
ga ghost!" said Bertha. in a low
voice, and then sat silent, guarding h er
face from the fire with her favorite pea
cock-feather screen.
A ghost is always an interesting sci
entific conundrum. sWhat form did it
take?'' ~ .s...
Arbuthnot laughed his short, cheer
less laugh again. 3I.. % Eafsr.. r..
cit took the form of sanguine young
man from the West,'' said he, "who
has just come into twelve hundred
dollar clerkship, and feels that unend-
ing vistas Of fortune lie before him. He
was in such good spirits about it that
I rather lost my hold on myself, and
said things might as well have left
unsaid."
"What did you say?'' Richard
asked.
"I told him that if he had money
enough left to buy a return ticket home
he had better buy one, and that if he
had not 1 would lend it to him. 1 told
him that at his age it wasn't a bad ide:,
for Il man to devote his time to estab-
fishing himself in solne career he could
depend on, and that, in default of hay
ing the energy to do that, he might re-
fleet on the alternative of blowing his
brains out, as preparation for a peace.
full old age. And L told him that had
seen young fellows like himself before,
and that the end had been for them
what it would be for him."
"Well !" said Richard, as he stopped.
cit wasn't any -use," ho answered.
81 knew it would not be, when I be-
gan. 1 simply made a spectacle of my
self in q quiet way to no purpose, and,
as a result, l am uncomfortable. 1t was
all nonsense, but he reminded me-
'Of what?' said Richard, since he,
had paused again.
peculiar expression crossed his face.
Tredennis ysaw him glance at the
pcacOck-feather screen, and rs quickly
glanced away. ...
"Of-a young fellow of his age l.
used to know" he answered.
"What was his story?'' inquired
Richard, with his usual desire for in
formation. "Whcrc is ne now ~
"Dead,' said tArbuthuot, aud, siugu
lar enough, he half laughed again "a
he tossed his cigar into the CRATE an,
went to the piano.
He produced fresh cigar--whict
luxury was one of many accorded him
in the acknowledgement it, and rattle,
to Tredennis' surprise, resumed his
conversation as if there had been nc
pause in it.
"The fellow will be an annoyance tc
me every day of his life,'' he said, fain,
lines showing themselves upon his
forehead in spite Of the half-smile which
was meant 10 deprive them of thci,
Significance. 81 know that, confound
him He is in my room, and 1 shall
have the benefit of every change in
him, and it will be Il grind-there's nc
denying that 1t will be II griud.' ...
81 should like to Know said Tire
dennis, "what the changes will bc."
"The changes will depend upon tn.
kind of fellow he chances to be-" said
Arbuthnot. ssThere are two varieties
If there is good deal in him, he will
begin by being hopeful and working
hard. He will think that he may make
himself OF value in his position and
create Il sort of career for himself. He
viii do more than is required of him,
and neglect nothing. He will keep his
eyes open and make friends of the men
about him. He will do that for Il few
months, and then, suddenly, and for
no fault whatever, one of these friends
will be dropped out. Knowing the
man to be as faithful rs himself, it will
be II shock to him, and he will sc, anX-
'ious and worry over it. He will see
HIM stranded without resources-strug-
Cling to regain his place or get another,
treated With amiabte tolerance when
he is not bufeted, suubbed and put off.
He win see him hanging about, day
after day, growing shabbicr, more care