Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-04
CONE OF MY CLERKS
FROM HOUSEHOLD WORDS.

ucSSTS. OTdkSDI ~ SVAohAN1
brokers of Fenchurch street. Mr..
Cragsby, for many years the senior
partner in the frm, had just died, and
the conduct and management of af-
fairs had thus devolved upon Mr..
Golding, who is now sole partner, and
also nephew and executor to the de-
ceased. The event had caused In the
Office feeling of unanimous regret.
While by nature just man, Mr.:
Cragsby had been an unusually kind
one0so far, at all events, as those
whom he employed we're concerned.
A man OF high principle and strict
probity, he never made his own up
rightness 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
VINO were under his authority.
Another circumstance which added
to his popularity was the fact that he
disliked making changes in the ar
rangements of the firm. Having once
employed a man and found him trust
worthy, Mr.. Cragsby preferred to re.
tain him, even though the salary paid
continuously Increased. This gave a
feeling of security to clerks and ware
house men, which remained undIs-
turbed till the death of the chief
rudely awakened them, when they re-
mem bered how different were the
views and opinions of the junior part
ner, who would now hold undisputed
sway. For Mr.. Golding was accus-
toned TO rate his social interiors by a
very different scale. Each, in his eye,
had "a market value" That was his
phrase. A man might have served
the firm we'll and faithfully for % or
80 years, but this, in Mr.. Golding's
estimate, gave him no claim to regard
or consideration.
But, as almost always happens,
there was one person with whom his
rudeness of manner 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
cousin, Elinor Cragsby.
For some years Mr.. Golding had
cherished in his inmost heart-or per-
haps it better to say mind than
heart-a liking for his fair relative,
and set himself to gain her favorable
regard. AS yet, however, he lad not
achieved any marked success, but he
was of logged, persevering natare,
and did not despair. The match would
be a very advantageous one, for
Elinor was, by her fathers death,
placed in possession of considerable
fortune, which would be of use in
extending and improving the bust
ness.
For" as Mr.. Golding was wont to
say to n few friends, 'Cragsby was a
good fellow 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, if he
could but win his cousins regard, was
ready to his hand. Elinors personal
attractions, which had in reality at
first captivated him, would have been
almost sufficient to induce him TO seek
the alliance, but Elinor's wealth was
irresistible.
ii.
"Renshaw, the governor wants
YOU" said one of the seniors TO a
young man who, bending over his
desk, appeared so intent upon his oc-
cupation that the other had to repeat
the words, and in louder key, before
aay notice was taken.
Then Gilbert R2nShaN, with brief
Thank you, Brown" put his work
carefully in his desk, and locking it,
turned ard walked quietly across the
office TO the private room. Mr.. Brown
looked after him.
Hes queer one," he soGloquized
Hes been here four or five years, and
he takes things as cody as If he had
been here all his life-more cody in
fact. Half OF us would have gone to
Golding full pelt, but not he; catch
him hurryiug. can't make him out"
and with this candid admission Mr..
Brown turned his attention to his let
ter writing.
Meanwhile Gilbert Renshaw had en-
tered the prlvate room where Mr.. Gold
ing sat alone.
You have kept me waiting, Mr..
Renshaw."
Il 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
question of their market value" Gil
bert Renshaw was the one he most dis
liked.
II have sent for you Mr.. Renshaw"
resumed the chief, ito point out an
error Of yours in these papers-an er,
ror which might have involved grave
consequences"
Gilbert Renshaw bowed, but said
nothing. The error thus magnifed
into so much Importance was in reali
ly trihing oversight, and was for the
most part the fault of a junior. This
probably Mr.. Golding well knew, but
RS the papers would come before Rem
shaw for revision, he chose to assume
that the entire blame rested on him.
The young man was at once TO 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 taxing his principals
directions left the room
Mr.. Goldiug looked after him with
an annoyed expression on his face.
III catch you tripping again." he
muttered to himself, you shall suffer
for it my friend"
But the day went by, and for time
his vindicitiveness remained without
an opportunity t> excite itself.
BE was shrewd enough, however, to
wait his opportunity. And that was
not long In coming, One Saturday
afternoon he happened to want Gilbert
for some purpose, and sent for him.
The young man could nowhere be
found. Mr.. Gelding glanced at the
clock and frowned angrily.
1t was just ten minutes to the time
at which, their work being done, the
clerks were enabled to leave. Some
were already closing their desks and
making preparations for departure,
but the sudden appearance OF the chief
in the outer Office galvanized them
into renewed activity. A klnd-heart-
ed senior in the meantime surrepti-
tiously dispatched an office-boy to the
restaurant where Gilbert generally
frequsnted, but the well-meant effort