Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-07-24
TELL-TALE BLOTTER.
An Odd Story Of a London Justice
ed Room.
I.

Az IN SAo jill III GA0 UllX0 vi
the Queen OF Sheba who carped at the
Wisdom OF Solomon: and SO there were
people in the city in the days that imme-
dia,ely followed the American war who
had something to say against the firm of
Parklnan, Bubb e. Parkman, of No. II
Change alley. They could not deny that
1t was an old established concern, for
Tarkinans' had been trading betw cen
London and Calcutta in almost the early
days OF John Company Bahadur. And
kAey could not say it was not prosperous,
tUr its name stood high in it's own branch
ot business; and it had never been known
10 90 into rash speculations or risky
profits. Blu what people did say, and
There were old fogies on 'Change never
Fired of repeating it, was, that there was
too much young blood in Parkmans'. "Go
into Parknans'," these would say, land
Eoull have a young man to deal with, I'M
Bess you have the luck to do with old PARK
bnan!' treatment which they seemed to
think most offensive. And of course when
bid Parkman died rather suddenly
these carpers were still more Triumph
ant. There was no saving clause now,
when they stated tho treatment YOU
might expect at Parkmans'. For the Soc
pnl partner was only a sleeping partner
sleeping, it was currently reported, on a
fine estate in Ross-shire-and young Park
Flan-wen, he was young Parkman. Then
tritchlow, the cashier, was young for q
asher, being under forty; and Crisp, the
lei id clerk, was very young, bell g some-
thing over thirty. And altogether Park
mans might expect, for some time to
me, to hea a good deal about its young
blood.
1t was two O'Clock on a Saturday some
three weeks after old Mr.. Parkmap's
death. In the large office the clerks were
putting away their books and getting
down their hats. There was a murmur Of
talk about the river, or Wimbledon, or
whatever amusement they severally had
pn view tor the afternoon, when a tall
man, dressed in dark mourning and wear
Ing his hat, entered from an inner room.
Inc noise sank to a respectful hum. He
was q handsome man, with q short, fair
nustache and light blue eyes. He nodded
Pleasantly to one or W Of the clerks, and
walked through to where a glass case in a
corner indicated the sanctum of the head
Clerk. Crisp, a small, slender, dark-com-
liexloned man, looked up peevishly as the
Echief entered, but seeing who it was would
have got down from his stool.
Sit still, the merchant said, laying his
eland lightly on tho others shoulder to
ttay. him. II am only waiting for the
carriage. 1t is more pleasant here than in
me outer office. You are not going about
sl ya' usual business to-day l Think Crisp
The clerks face flushed.
NO, Mr.. James," he said, II am not"
What, haven't you made it up with her
The younger man shook his head and
'a.n broke out suddenly with:
AND what is more, sir, my temper has
been so bad aver since Critchlow found
VII lniS Haiinintl1yr that T ,o,,1l 10 1f~nil
making matters worse. l don't wonder
PIC could not stand it. II is no good my
Tying to make it up with her till l have
cleared that up. Then 1 shall be myself
Fam, and can look her in tho face. AS [
tcMl you, sir, I shall come hnck at -four
anu so through the books quietly by my
ESl' shall never forget your. kindness,
~, never! But that Critcnlow is 80 try
N There's not n clerk in the office does
IT,. know now that there is something the
fNa'1er with my accounts"
Nr4sp spoke with deep feeling, n it
"aS evident that the other believed him.
Don't think too much of it," he said,
sni!y. If it can not be explained l
.aa'l still trust you. 1t is but a small
AMOUNT: Try to hit upon the blot"
.'Fy"' cried the head clerk; I've tried
Ssa!n and again"
We'll, do your best" the merchant an
ee"ered' drawing on his gloves. You
nnow my Door father had every confidence
n Sou-as he had in your f~ather-and l
uaSe the same, Crisp."
aha Then he went, the young man look
\ after him with grateful, almost wor-
M'p.ns, eyes. There were few mon in his
e ~ : and at his e 80 invariably kind
~ coGslderate to their interiors us was
ines Parkman. Old Parkman had been
sns same; and father and son enjoyed a
"re popularity in the office.
pn Iisp sat :or some moments pondering,
Elnl II his face was any index to his
rrIL'ushts upon some unpleasant subject.
7s he rose and taking his hat went into
Ir outer Office. There were still two or
sn CLERKS there, detained by some small
rm I'VE; and talking to them in a sharp,
er ! volce was a stout, black-whlsk-
'"!: short-faced a
IN NOV found it out YETI" he said to Crisp,
r ~ y sheerlng tone. He was Critchlow, the
No." retorted the head clerk, "nor
IN" oilice!m
ou, vel if l were you I'd stay and find
To ~ staid unit to.norrow. I've go
40 error.
The think" said Crisp, wrathfully, seeing
~Gptaald make it hot for YOU if 1 staid long
A. you II where!"
ieS,' u without waiting to hear the cash.
HI. . 'etort or the hurst Of laughter which
ynnun"n excited answer evoked from the
Sta N"svers he passed. out and ran down the
stree. ana through the quiet alley into thu
CHAPTER II.