The Somerset reporter., 1885-11-04
SELECTED.
Tho Mysterious Cipher.

No doubt there were some. In the time
of the Queen of Sheba who cnrped at the
wisdom Of solomon and SO there were
people in the city in the days that immc-
diatcly followed the American war who
had something to say against the firm of
Parkman Bnbb & Parkman, OF No. II
Change alley. They could not deny that
it was an old-cstabishcd concern, for
Parkmans had been trading between Lon
don and Calcutta i'll almost the early days
Of John Company Bahadur. And they
could not say that it was not prosperous,
for its name stood high in its own branch
Of the business; and it had never been
known to 90 in for rash spcculations or
risky profits. But what people did say,
and there were old fogicS on Change
never tired OF repeating it, was, that
there was too much young blood at Park
mans. Go into Parkman'S, these would
saw and you'll have a young man to deal
with, unless you have the luck to do with
old Parkman! treatment which they
seemed to think most offensive. And of
course when old parkmcn died suddenly
these carpcrs were still more triumphant
There was no saving clause now, when
they stated the treatment you might cx-
pcct atParkman's. For the second part
ner was only a sleeping partner-slccp-
ing, it was currently reported, on fine
estate in Rosshire--and young parkman-
we'll he was young Parknan. Then
Critchlow, the cashier, was young for a
cashier, being under forty; and Crisp,
the head clerk, was very young, being
something over thirty. And altogether
Parkmans might expect, for some time
to come to hear a good deal about its
young blood
1t was two O'Clock on a Saturday some
three weeks after old Parkman's death.
In the large Office the clerks were putting
away their books, and getting down Their
hats. There was Il murmur of talk about
the river, or Wimbledon, or whatever
amusement they Sevcrally had in view for
the afternoon, when Il man, dressed III
dark clothing, and wearing his hat. enter
ed from an inner room. The noise sank
to a respectful hum. He was Il handsome
man with a short, fair nouStachc and
light blue eyes. He nodded pleasantly to
one or two of the clerks, and walked
through to where a glass case in corner
indicated the slnctum of the head clerk,
Crisp, small, slender, ark-complcNion-
ed man, looked up peeyishly as the chlei
entered, but seeing who 1t was would
have got down from his stool.
Sit still the merchant said, laying his
hand lightly on the others shoulder to
stay him 4 am only waiting for the
carriage Ii is more pleasant here than
in the outer Office. You are not going
about Your usual business to-day, | think
Crisp, ch?'
The clerks face flushed.
No, Mr.. James, he said. i am not
What, haven't you made 1t up VIII
her yet?
The younger man shook his head anC
then broke out suddenly with;
And what more, sir my temper has
been so bad ever since Critchlow founo
out his deficiency that should be afraio
of making matters worse. don't Won
der She couldn't stand it, 1t is no goot
my trying to make it up with her TN
have cleared that up. Then | shall bt
myself again, and can look her in the
face. As told you, sir. shall come
back al four and 20 through the books
quietly by myself. | shall never forget
your kindness. sir, never. But thai
Critchlow is so trying There's not
clerk in the Office does not know no"
there is something the matter with my
accounts.
Crisp spoke with deep feeling, and ii
was evident that the other believed him
Don't think too much of it" he saio
kindly. If it cannot be explained shall
trust YOU. 1t Is but Il small amount. Try
to hit upon the blot
sTry!' cried the head clerk; I've tried
again and again
He passed his hands through his hail
until it stood on end and with his bright
black eyes gave him very wild look.
Well, do your best, the merchant ans
wcred. drawing on his gloves. Nor
know my poor father had every conf
dcncc in yotl-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 very few
men in his position and at his age so in
vuriably kind and consideratc to their i'll
fcrors as was Jas. Parkman. Old Park
man had been the same, and father ant
son enjoyed rare popularity in the office
1t was whispered. but probably there wa
no truth in the malicious rumor, that they
never uuarrrlIcd save with one another.
Crisp sat for some moments bordering
and if his face was any index to hi
thoughts, upon some unpleasant subject
Then he rose. and taking his hat went in
to the outer office. There were sun tw'
or three clerks there, detained by Som'
small matters. and talking to them III
sharp. raspin9 voice. was stout piaek
whiskercd, short-facci man
Not found it out yeti: he said to Crisp
in n snccring tone. He was CrtchipW
the cashier -,
NO rctorted the head clerk, nor like
" to while there is so much NOISE III I'M
Office
well, if were YOU I'd stay and find !
ont. if | STAYED until tomorrow, But !
is fine to be YOU. I've got to stay unit
four or Whereabouts, error or no error.
4 think. said Crisp, wrathfully. secin.
the clerks upon tie broad grin, that
should make it hot for you II l Slayc'
long with you anywhere.
And without waiting for the cashier
rctort or the burst of laughter which hi
own excited answer evoked from In
Youngsters, he passed out and ran dow
the stairs and through the quiet alley III
to the street.
II was half-pas four when Crisp, afte
| tr5cjling divers of the city ways, Ill Wnlc
the crowd was now rapidly lcSseninl
turned again into Change alley, \ loo
of dcpression-a haggard, carc-wor
Ilook-was upon the young mans face Il
he crossed it. his head bent down. SUE
denly sweet, glad cry--oh so out q
place there-struck upon his ears, and 1
stopped and looked round with start
meet the next instant two little glove
hands thrust into his, two brown eye
swimming with tears looking into II
black ones. ooh, Ernest! the girl cried
T she was young and pretty, but dressed wen
: plainly in black. and until this mome'
had worn her veil down-arcnt you gl'
to see mel?
Glad, my darling2 he cried, all Il
care gone out of his face; yes, very gla
! You know am glad
And You do love me as much as eve
she pleaded. with her eyes fixed so We
anxiously on his.
Yes he said, simply. Nor did $
doubt him now, though during the Ia
fortnight Of the estrangement followi