The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-26
One of My Clerks.
Household Words.

pressed excitement in the office of
Messrs. Cragsby and Golding, Colonial
Brokers, of Fenchurch street. Mr..
Cragsby, for many years the senior
partner in the firm, had just died, and
| the conduct aIid Management Of the af-
fairs had thus devolved upon Mr.. Gold
ing, who was now sole partner, and also
nephew and executor to the deceased.
The event had caused in the office a
feeling of unanimous regret.
While by nature just man, Mr..
Cragsby had been an unusual kind one
so far, at all events, as those whom
he employed were concerned. A man
of high principle and strict probity, he
never made his own uprightness and
rectitude an excuse for severely Judging
others. AS one of his clerks put it.,
'Cragsby was strict but you couldn't
help liking him, for he would never find
fault without a cause for it, This
necessarily ensured him respect and lik-
ing of those who were under his au-
thority.
Another circumstance which added
to his popularity was the fact that he
dislikcd making changes in the arrange
ments of the firm. Having once en-
ployed a man and found him trust
worthy, Mr.. Cragsby preferred to re-
tain him, even though the salary paid,
continuously increased. This gave a
feeling of security to clerks and ware
house men, which remained undisturb-
ed till the death of the chief rudely
awakened them, when they remembered
how different were the views and opin-
ions of the junior partner, who would
now hold undisputed sway. For Mr..
Golding was accustomed to rate his So
cial interiors by a very different scale.
Each, in his eyes, 'had market value.
That was his phrase. A man might
have served the firm we'll and faithfully
for twenty or thirty years, but this, in
Mr.. Golding's estimation, gave him no
claim to regard or consideration.
But as almost always happened, there
was one person with whom his rudeness
of manner was yelled by courtesy, his
asperity softened into mildness, by the
desire to please, and this person was the
daughter of the late partner, and conse-
quently his cousin, Elinor Cragsby.
For some years, Mr.. Golding had
cherished in his inmost heart-or per
haps it would be better to say min6
than heart-a liking for his fair rela
| tive, and had set himself to gain hel
favorable regard. AS yet, however, he
had not achieved any marked success, bu
he was of dogged, persevering nature,
and did not despair. The match would
be very advantageous one, for Elinol
was, by her fathers death, placed il
possession of a considerable fortune
which would be of use in extending anC
improving the business.
'For,' as Mr.. Golding was wont tt
say to a few friends, 'Cragsby was ;
good fellow enough, but slow and old
fashioned-couldn't keep pace with th'
age And now that the game was ir
his own hands he began to launch ou
boldly. But to do this required capi
tai, and this if he could but win hi
cousins regard, was ready to his hand
Elinor's personal attractions which hao
in reality at first captivated him, would
have been almost sufficient to induce
him to seek the alliance; but Elinor'
wealth was irresistible.
| II.
'Renshaw, the governor wants you,
said one of the seniors to young mar
who, bending over his desk, appeared
so intent upon his occupation that tht
other had to repeat the words in loud
er key, before any notice was taken.
Then Gilbert Renshaw, with a briet
Thank you Brown put his work care
fully in his desk, and locking it, turned
and walked quietly across the office tt
the private room. Mr.. Brown looked
after him.
sHe's a queer one,' he soliloquized
'He's been here four or five years, anC
he takes things as coolly as if he hac
been here all his life-more coolly il
fact. Half of us would have gone t.
Golding full pelt, but not he; catcl
him hurrying. can't make him out,
and with this candid admission, Mr.
Brown turned his attention to his lette
writing.
| Meanwhile Gilbert Renshaw had en-
tered the private room where Mr.. Gold
ing sat alone.
sYou have kept me waiting, Mr.
Renshaw.'
Il regret to hear it sir was the quie
reply.
The chief shifted in his chair, ant
looked up at the young man. Of al
his clerks, apart from the importan
question of their market value Gilber
Renshaw was the one whom he mos
disliked.
Il have sent for you, Mr.. Renshaw,
resumed the chief, 'to point out an er
ror of yours in these papers-an erro
which might have involoed grave con
sequences.
Gilbert Renshaw bowed but sal
nothing. The error thus magnified in
to so much importance, was in reality
trifling oversight, and was for the mos
part the fault of junior. This, proba
bly,, Mr.. Golding we'll knew; but q
the papers would come before Rensha1
for revision, he chose to assume that tn
entire blame rested with him. Th
young man was at once to high-minde
and kind hearted too exculpate himse
, by accusing his junior, and in fe
words expressed his regret.
1T must not occur again, Mr.. Rer
o shaw
, Gilbert bowed, but made no repl,
and then, after taking his principal
directions, left the room.
Mr.. Golding looked after him wit
an annoyed expression on his face.
IF 1 catch you tripping again. |
muttered to himself, you shall suff'
for it my friend
But the days went by, and for tin
|. his vindictiveness remained without &
;. opportunity to exercise itself.