National Republican., 1885-12-16
some OF MY CLERKS.o
From Household Words.l

There was much speculation and sup
pressed excitement in the Office of Messrs
Cragsby g. Golding, colonial brokers, of
Fenchurch street. Mr.. Cragsby, for many
years the senior partner in the firm. had just
died, and the ,onduct and management Of
affairs had thus devolved upon Mr.. Golding,
who was now sole partner and also nephew
and executor TO the deceased. The event
had caused in the Office a feeling of unani-
nous regret.
While by nature 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 up
rightness and rectitude an excuse for Sc
verely judging others. As one Of his clerks
putt, "Cragsby was strict, but you couldn't
help liking him, for he would never find
fault without a cause for it," This neces-
sarily insured him the respect and liking Of
those who were under his authority.
Another circumstance which added to his
popularity was the fact that he disliked
making changes In the arrangements Of the
I firm. Having once employed man and
found him trustworthy, Mr.. Cragsby pre-
ferred to retain him, even though the salary
paid continuously increased. This gave a
feeling OF security to clerks and warehouse
men, which remained undisturbed till the
death of the chief rudely awakened them,
when they remembered how different were
the views and opinions OF the junior part
ner, who would now hold undisputed sway.
For Mr.. Golding was accustomed to rate his
social interiors by a very different scale.
Each, In his eye, had "a market value"
served the firm well 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 man
ner 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 consequently his cous-
in, Elinor Cragshy
For some years Mr.. Golding had cher
ished In his inmost heart-or perhaps 1t
would be better to say mind than heart-a
liking for his fair relative, and had set him
self to gain her favorable regard. AS yet,
| however, he had not achieved any marked
success, but he was OF a dogged, persever-
ing nature, antdid not despair. The match
would be very advantageous one, for
Elinor was by her fathers death laced In
possession OF considerable fortune, which
would be OF use In extending and improv-
ing the business.
"For," as Mr.. Golding was wont TO say
TO few friends, "Cragsby was a good fel
low enough, but slow and old-fashioned-
couldn't keep pace with the age" And
now that the game was In his own hands he
began to launch out more boldly. But to
do this required capital, and this, II he
could but win his Cousins regard, was ready
TO his hand. Ellnor's personal attractions
which had In reality at first captlvated him
would have been almost sufficient TO induce
him TO seek the alliance, but Elinor'i
wealth was irresistible.
| II.
"Renshaw, the governor wants you,n salt
one OF the seniors TO young man who
upon his occupation that the other had Il
repeat the words, and In Il louder key, be
fore any notice was taken
Then Gilbert Renshaw, with q brie
"Thank you, Brown" put his work care
fully in his desk, and, locking 1t, turned
and walked quietly across the Office TO th,
private room, Mr.. Brown looked after him
"He's queer one,h he soliloquized
"He's been here four or five years, and h,
takes things as coolly as II he had been her
all bis life-more coolly, In fact. Half o
us would have gone TO Goldlng full pelt
but not he; catch him hurrying. cam
make him out" and with this candid ad
mission, Mr.. Brown turned his attention I.
his letter writing.
Meanwhile Gilbert Renshaw had entere'
the private room where Mr.. Golding sa
alone.
"You have kept me waiting, Mr.. ReD
shawl
~ regret to hear It, sir" was the bule
reply.
The chief shifted In his chair and looked
up ut the young man. OF all his clerks