St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-07
AN ODD STORY OF JUSTICE.
CHAPTER l.

he queen of Sheba who carped at the WIS
lom of Solomon; and so there were people
IN the city in the days that immediately loi-
lowed the American war who had some
thing to say against the firm OF ParKlliah,
Bubb Il Parkman, of II Change ailey'
They could not deny that it was an 0id,
established concern, for the ParKniahS nau
been trading between London ana Calcutla
in almost the early days OF John company
Bahadur. And they could not say that IL
was not prosperous, for Its name sto0e nis1
in it's own branch of business; and IL had
never been known to go in forrash specula-
lions OF risky profits. But what people dld
saw. and there were old fOgies on change
never tired of repeating it, was that there
was too much young blood i'll ParkmanS'.
SEQ into Parkmans', these would say,
'sand You'll have young man to deal Win,
unless you have the luck to do with OLD
Parkman!' treatment which they seemed
to think most offensive. And OF course
when old Parkman died rather suddenly,
these carpers were still more triumphant.
There was no saving clause now when they
stated the treatment you might expect at
ParknanS'. For the second partner was
only sleeping partner-Sleeping, 1t was
currently reported, on fine estate IN Ross
shire-and young Parkman-well he was
young Parkman. Then CritchloW, the
cashier, was young for cashier, being I'M
der 40: and Crisp, the head clerk, was very
Young. being something over 80. And al
together Parkmans' might expect, for some
time to come, to hear good deal about its
young blood.
1t was o'clock on Saturday some three
weeks after old Mr.. Parkman's death. In
olo V
their books, and getting down their hats.
There was a murmur OF talk about the
river. or Wimbledon, or whatever amuse-
ment they severally had in view for the
afternoon. when tall man dressed in dark
mourning and wearing his hat, entered
from an inner room. The noise sank to
respectful hum. He was a handsome man,
with short fair muStache and light blue
ewes. He nodded pleasantly to one OF two
of the clerks and walked through to where
glass in corner indicated the Sanctum OF
the head clerk. Crisp, a small, slender,
dark-cOmpleXioned man, looked up peev-
ishly as the chief entered, but seeing who
it was would have got down from his stool.
''Sit still" the merchant said, laying his
hand lightly Oh the others shoulder to stay
him. Il am only waiting for the carriage.
1t is more pleasant here than in the outer
office. You are not going about your usual
business to-day, think, Crisp, eh?''
The clerks face flushed.
mo, Mr.. James," he said, ST am not"
''What, haven't you made it up with her
yet?'"
The young man shook his head, and then
broke out suddenly with:
''And what is more, sir, my temper has
been so bad ever since Critchlow found out
this deficiency that l should be afraid of
making matters worse. l don't wonder
she could not stand it; it is no good my
trying to make it up with her till have
cleared that up. Then l shall be myself
again, and can look her in the face. AS
told you, sir, shall come back at 4,
and 90 through the books quietly by my
self. shall never forget your kindness,
sir, never! But that Crftchlow is so trying!
there's not clerk in the Office does not
know now that there is something the mat
ter with my accounts"
Crisp spoke with deep feeling, and twas
evident that the other believed him.
lffDon't think too much of itv' he said
kindly. ..::ff it cannot be explained, shall
still trust you. 1t is but small amount.
Try to hit upon the blot"
'.Try,'' cried the head clerk; "Pve tried
again and again"
He passed his hands through his hair until
1t stood on end, and with his bright, black
eyes gave him very wild look. 49,
''Well, do your BEST" the merchant an
swered, drawing on his gloves. ''You know
my poor father had every confidence in you
--as he had in your father-and have the
same, Crisp"
And then he went, the young man look
ing after him with grateful, almost wor-
Shipping eyes. There were few men in his
position and at his age so invariably kind
and considerate to their interiors as was
James Parkman. Old Parkman had been
the same, and father and son enjoyed rare
popularity in the Office. 1t was whispered,
but probably there was no truth in the ma
licious rumor, that they never Quarreled save
with one another.
Crisp sat for some minutes bordering, and
if his face was any index to his thoughts,
upon some unpleasant subject. Then he
arose, and taking his hat went into the
outer Office. There were still two or three
clerks there, detained by some small mat
tiers. and talking to them in sharp, rasping
voice was a stout, -whiskered, short
faced man.
mot found it out yet?" he said to Crisp,
in sneering tone. He was Critchlow, the
cashier.
NO" retorted the head clerk, s'nor
likely to while there is so much noise in the
officer'
''Wen," if were you, I'd stay and find
1t out, if I stayed until tomorrow. But it
fine to be you. I've got to stay until4 or
hereaboutS, error or no error"
II think" sain Crisp, wrathfully, seeing
he clerks upon the broad grin, ''that
lhould make it hot for you if I stayed long
with you anywhere"
And without waiting to hear the cashiers
retort,' or the burst of laughter which his
own excited answer evoked from the young
sters, he passed out and ran down the stairs
and through the quiet alley into the street.
CHAPTER II.
It was haf-past four when Crisp, after
threading divers of the city ways, in which
the crowds were now rapidly lessening,
turned again into Change alley. A look of
depression-a haggard, care-worn look-was
upon the young mans face as he crossed it,
his head bent down. Suddenly sweet
glad cry-oh! so out of place there-struck
upon his ear, and he stopped and looked
round with start, to meet the next instant
two little gloved hands thrust into his, two
brown eyes swimming with tears looking
into his black ones. sob, Ernest!'' the girl
cried-she was young and pretty, but
dressed very plainly in black, and until this
moment had worn her veil down-''aren't
you glad to see me?"
''Glad, my darling?" he cried, all the care
gone out of his face; ''yes, very glad. You
know 1 am glad"
'.And you do love me as much as ever"
she pleaded, with her eyes fixed so very
anxiously on his.
Yes" he said simply. Nor did she
doubt him now, though during the last fort
night of estrangement following that
wretched petty quarrel she had fancied all
sorts OF dreadful things. more and more
every day, dearest. 1t was all nv fault.