Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-07-26
THE NEW CLERK.

Jenkins met Smith, his senior part
ner. at the depot, who had been alb
sent Oh "A business tour.
"How's businessF inquired tha lat
ter
"All right-got new clerk
"Cot q new clerk, Ell Where 5
JonesT
Discharged him, An idle, extrava-
giant young dog
True en- ugh, and the new one
won't doany better. Drinking, gam
bling late hours, fasHhorses-that s the
way with them all. and smith
groaned %,
jenkins eyes twinkled. He will
know the peculiarities of his good
hearted but eccentric bachelor part
ner.
"WeIl. the new clerk don't drink
nor gamble, I'm certain Of that, and
has thus far been very industrious
and attentive.
Thus far; OH yes Wait month.
New broooms sweep clean.
"Oh. well If the new clerk don I
suit YOU. | can send her adrift that S
ali. Tonly took her-ahem on trial. p
Mr. Smith stared at hls partner.
II suppose the new clerk has
name he remarked, dryly.
Oh. YES Ber-that is to say the
new clerks name is Gardner But
here we are.
AS was his usual custom, Mr.. smith
went through the store past the array
of clerks ON either side of the counter,
without glancng 70 the right or left.
But when he reached his private Of
flee. at the further end, he looked
through the glass door, which was so
situated that he could see all that was
going on i'm the store. AS hs eyes
fell upon the occupant of the desk
near the door hc started.
What's that" he said turning
sharply upon his partner, who had
Ollowed hmm.
jenkins gazed composedly ON the
slender form whose graceful head
was bent intently over a ledger that
lay open upon the desk.
That, Why that's the new clerk. "
Smith rubbed his eyes and looked
again.
Why it's woman" he exclaimed
with a look of incredulity and horror
II should say it was. said Jenkins
cooley, and confounded pretty
one at that
yrHu6tls imagination
Mr. Jenkins, this is no place for a
woman
NO place! Now it strikes me she
tits the place very nicely
THE proper place for woman is
the sanctuary of home.
This was pet observation Of Mr.
Smiths, which he had read some
where, and which lac considered as a
clncher i'm such an argument.
But suppose she hasn't anyi
This was poser, and in his efforts
to surmount it., Mr.. Smith got quite
excited.
Hasn't any! Why, sir, she must
She ought to have one. -
Very true. I'm fact so confident
ami ON this point that ! have thought
of Offering her mine-or at least to
share it with her
Mr. Jenkins, this is not fit sub
iect for Jest
1T is a serious matter, | know; So,
ON the whole, perhaps I'd better think
IL over while longer Besides, no
knowing if She would accept my offer
together with the membranes that
90 with IT,
jealous" returned Smith, severe
~, will YOU cease trilling, and attend
TO the business ON hand This woman
must go
Very well You told YOU wanted
a clerk that would be faithful and in
dusuious; that didn' spend his salary
and all he could steal ON fast horses
and the like, and got one Its am
easy matter TO send her Oft
"Of course it is, said Smith, bright
ening at the suggestion. Just tell her
that she don't exactly suit and that
we shau't need her after today.
But she does suit me, aud if you
are not suited, all You got to do is to
tell her So
You hired her"
And for that reason | won't dis
charge her without some good cause
NO matter returned Smith, with
an air of indifference, +" can dis
charge her. think | ann equal to
liltl lllACil-
Jenkins, who had left the room put
his head back "a minute later
Bet you "a hundred dollars You
don't do it.
With this parting shot he disap-
pcared
Now Smith had nervous horror of
women, as his partner well knew-eS-
pecially Young womer and never
spoke to one if he could help it,
Had il been a man he would have
known what To say and experienced
no difficulty ia saying it but wo
man was quite another thing. His
partners last words had touched his
pride, and summoning all his reSolu
lion, he opened the door and walked
in. His courage failed him, however
as hecame opposite the desk where
She sat. and he passed by, glancmg
sideways at the unconscious occupant
who did not lift her head as he APP
preached. After speaking To a elerb
al the further end Of the room h,