Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-12-04
" ONE OF MY CLERKS"

plessSu eACllemenI IN the OInCe OF
Messrs. Cragsby & Golding, colonia
brokers, of Fenchurch street. Mr.. Crags
by, for many years the senior partner ir
the firm, had just died, and the conduct
and management of affairs had thus de
volved upon Mr.. Golding, who was now
sole partner, and also nephew and execu
tor to the deceased. The event had
caused in the Office feeling of unani,
nous regret.
While by nature a just man, Mr..
Cragsby had been an unusually 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 insured him the respect and
liking of those who were under his au-
thority.
Another circumstance which added to
his popularity was the fact that he dis
liked making changes in the arrange
ments of the firm. Having once en-
ployed man and found him trustworthy,
Mr.. Cragsby preferred to retain him, even
though the salary paid continuously in
creased. This gave feeling of security
to clerks and warehousemeu, which re-
mained undisturbcd till the death of the
chief rudely awakened them, when they
remembered how different were the
views and opinions of the junior partner
who would now hold undsputed sway
For Mr.. Golding was accustomed to rate
his social interiors by a very different
scale. Each, in his eyes, had "a 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 happens, there
was one person with whom his rudeness
of manner was yeied 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 mind
than heart-a liking for his fair relative,
and had set himself to gain her favor
able regard. AS yet, however, he had
not achieved any marked success, but he
was of dogged, persevering nature, and
did not despair. The match would be a
very advantageous one, for Elinor was,
by her fathers DEATH placed in posses.
sion of considerable fortune, which
would be of use in extending and i'm
proving the business.
II.
'tRcnshaw, the governor wants you,"
said one of the seniors to young man
who, bending over his desk. appeared
so intent upon his occupation that the
other had to repeat the words, and in a
louder key, before any notice was
taken.
Then Gilbert Renshaw, with brief
"Thank you, Brown" put his work
carefully in his desk, and locking it,
turned and walked quietly across the
Office to the private room. Mr.. Brown
looked after him.
Hes queer one," he soliloquized.
"He's been here four or i've years, and
he takes things as coolly as if he had
been here all his life-more coolly, in
fact. Half of us would have gone to
Golding full pelt, but not he; catch him
hurrying, can't make him out, " and
with this candid admission, Mr.. Brown
turned his attention to his letter writing.
Meanwhile Gilbert Renshaw had en- .
tered the private room where Mr.. Gold =
ing sat alone.
"You have kept me waiting, Mr.. Rem
shaw"
81 regret to hear it, sir, was the quiet
reply.
The chief shifted in his chair, and
looked up at the young man. OF all his
clerks, apart from the important cues
tion of their market value" Gilbert
Renshaw was the one whom he most
disliked.
81 have sent for you, Mr.. Renshaw. -
resumed the chief, "to point out an
error of yours in these papers AN error
which might have involved grave con
sequences.
Gilbelt Renshaw bowed, but said
nothing. The error thus magnihed into
SO much Importance, was in reality u
tri1ing oversight, and was for the most
part the fault of junior. This, proba-
bly,, Mr.. Goldng we'll knew; but as the
papers would come before Renshaw for
revision, he chose TO assume that the en- .
tire blame rested with him. The Young
man was at once too high-minded and
kind hearted to eXculpate himself by
accusing his junior, and in few words
expressed his regret.
1T must not occur again, Mr.. Rem
shaw"
Gilbert bowed, but made no reply.
and then, after taking his principals di-
rections, left the room
Mr.. Golding looked after him with an
annoyed expression ou his face.
'lf | catch you tripping again" he
muttered to himself, "you shall suffer
for it, my friend"
But the days went by and for time
his vindictiyeness remained without an
opportunity to exercise itself.
He was shrewd enough, however, to
wait his opportunity. And that was not
long in coming. One Saturday after
noon he happened to want Gilbert for
some purpose, and sent for him. The
young man could nowhere he found
Mr.. Golding glanced at the clock and
frowned angrily.
1t was Just ten minutes to the time at
which, their work being done, the clerks
were entitled to leave. Some were al
ready closing their desks, and making
preparations for departure, but the sud
den appearance of the chief in the outer
office galvanized them into Yenewed
activity. A kind hearted senior in the
meantime surreptitiously dispatched au
Office boy to the restaurant which Colbert