The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-26
A Curious Christmas-Bo

and Co., to the clerk who opened the door
in response to his ring. Mr.. Warne ap-
peared in few seconds, and found his em-
ployer somewhat disturbed.
Oh, Warne !" he said, "read this letter;
it contains an unprecedented order, and I
am afraid we cannot comply with it. What
say you ?"
Mr. Warne took the letter without reply
ing, for, being cautious man, he never an
swered question until he was certain of
the ground on which it was based After
silence, during which Mr.. Docket regarded
him attentively, the head clerk handed him
the letter.
well" said Mr. Docket, as ho folded
it, "can it be done?"
II fancy we cnn do it," replied Warne.
ITS out of our way, certainly but then,
you see, il it can be done, we're bound to
do it,"
"It will SO out by the first convenient
mail. You had better see what you can do,
although you have plenty of time. I'll
speak to Mr.. Poole when he returns, and il
he sees no objections, wen forward it in
due course. There's no hurry. Thank you,
Warne. 1t is for Christmas-box, 1 sup
pose"
Mr. Warne bowed and smiled, and was
Just about to shut the door, when he re.
turned, and in low voice said
i beg your pardon, Mr.. Docket; but
about those diamonds"
"Ah, yes! Well, you can take them
next week; and be sure no one knows of
your charge. Be as secret as the grave.
would not have one lost for its value twice
told. They arc heirlooms, Mr.. Warne
Let Falkenbergs have them for the pres.
eut."
Yes, SIR" replied Warne. ~ thought
I'd mention it, for Pm bit uneasy about
those stones"
"Oh! you need not be; they are safe
enough. But you don't seem quite well. Is
anything the matter ?"
"No, thank you, Mr.. Docket 4; but feel
bit depressed. l have had sort of pre-
sentimental dullness of the heart"
Liver, my good friend, liver Take
few days leave; go down to the sea-
side Well, perhaps chill October is not
quite the month for the sea-" he added.
But let us see how you are next week,
and ie not better, go away then for a couple
of days"
Mr.. Warne thanked his kind-hearted
chief, and left the room. Jonas Subwaye,
the messenger, WAS passing the door as he
went cut. With an obsequious bow, he
passed on.
"That fellow always reminds me OF
Uriah Heep" said Warne, to fellow
clerk. He gives me cold chill when
ever meet him. Suppose / am out of
sorts"
81 told you that you were as sensitive as
those Corsican Brothers," returned his
friend. Next time you so to theatre,
try something lively.
"Dockett thinks that l had better 90
to the seaside for amusement" said Warne,
smiling rs he looked at the fast-falling
rain.
"Must have meant the 'itr.nd,' |
should think" retorted his lively friend /;
"thats about my form, when | want to
Brighten up.
The senior clerk stopped his ears and fed
away.
Four d.ys passed, and the head clerk had
not been idle. The commission from
abroad had been attended t., but some diff
iculty was experienced in carrying it out.
Still, the matter WAS in train. Mr.. Warnes
mind was more easy respecting the dia-
monds also, for the noble owner had ar
rived from abroad, and had requested them
TO be forwarded to her residence in The
country by safe hand. This took scme
responsibility from his shoulders; and an =
other load had been lifted from his mind
by the dismissal of Jonas Subwaye for
euvesIrpppmg and insOlence when discov
cred in the act.
This incident occurred five days after tn
conversation we have related and afte
some arrangements respecting the diamond
had been completed
Jonas Subwaye was 10th to go, and YER
inSolent when he did go. 1t seems, how
ever, that he tried to obtain another situa
ton almost Immediately, for gentlemal
called upon Mr., Warne, in Mr.. Docket
absence, for u reference. Warno, beinl
unwilling to injure tue man, said all h
could in his favor, but did not disguise tn
truth, so tue application failed. The would
be employer, after some conversation on
business, left his card aud soon afterward
| the Office.
This was on the day before Mr.. Poole en-
trusted to Mr.. Warne the packet of almos
priceless stones, and the clerks spirits rose
lie hnd permission to remain in the countr,
over Sunday, and on Friday morning h
left the office, his small but valuable pack
age being securely fastened underneath hi
vest, aud further concealed by the oyercoa
lac wore.
Goodbye" he said to his funny" Co
leaguei "Pm OIL. You will hnd all tn