New-York tribune., 1886-01-31

pretty girl in the train. and so accounted for his
psscnta"ity.. lie himsel:. however, was in a state
Of anxiety to which he had long been n stranger.
Tuesday, Wednesday, i thursday passed, and no
answer from the mysterious Mr.. Fleming arrived.
Perhaps the old lady had forgotten TO forward his
missive Old ladies' so strangely mindful of long
past occurrences, were, he knew. often obi viOus
about matters present Perhaps-but he shud1eTed
at the thought, and cast II from hn-for Phyllis
was too good, too honest too much Of o lady, 10 be
SO base and crnel; on tie other hand. possibly Mr.
Fleming was sttuting INQUIRIES. 1t was natural
that afeetiOnnte father should do 20. and every
time Penn brought III visitors name the merchant
expected to hear Mr.. Robert Fleming" an
nonnced. On the Friday afternoon he called in Mr.
Penna
Kindly shut the door" ho said al have some
thing OF Importance to speak TO you about"
Mr. Penn obeyed and anxiOusly inspected his
poycr's face.
"Mr. Penn" began the merchant, with a yyem-
mary clearing OF the throat, "you have been IN my
service now for some years, and you have given ne
very general satisfaction III the performance OF
your dutles.'
Penn's face frightened. Certainly rise in salary
was coming, perhaps something more substantial.
But all was dashed to the ground with the first
word of the great mans next sentence.
But,' continued Greysark " ave been think
have arrived at the painful conclusion that must
dispense With y9ur services at the expiration of n
The poDr clerk Gasped and clutched the table for
support, aud would have spoken, but for a magis-
terial wave OF Mr.. GreySarbS hand.
q 1t is very evident TO me-" continued his en-
pcyer, that some fresh blood is needed in this
business. In fact, propose to take partner, and
by SO acting to do away with the necessity of pay
ing handsome salary 10 Il head clerk"
Mr. GTeysarkW almost shrieked poor Penn.
"Do hear NE. l have helped You to make this
business. have been in this office for more than
twenty years. You have never once had cause 10
find fault with Inc, and may cOnscientiOusly say
that have never given you occasion to. For more
than one reason | avn prccuded from the possibility
of getting another situation. My name, You
know. is against mo. and people would object 10 me
On the ground that had Il brother who had bcCn III
he |
occupy q clerks desk in any other business. Think.
air. | implore you to think With ono word you are
turning an honest man into the streets to beg for
40 fault of his own | do not wish to push nv self
forward unduly. MIR. Grey sark but at such crisis
ls this am forced TO remind you that but for
yon might possibly not nave t0uld business
matters work 80 smoothly US they havo. Ii You
discharge me with the notion of introducing now
blood into tue house you will have to"
"Mr. Penn interrupted the merchant. with
wave of tho hand we must III this world he men
If business 6rst and humanitarians alterwaId. |
have gwen vOnr case ny fullest considerations and
in hCkUowled gment of your services, as well rs by
way of compensation. propose 10 make yOn
weekly allowance until you get employment. But
that YOU must 20 | have mace uD my mind lOu
will. please, make 10 further observations uuOn
the decision At which havo arrived, OF shall be
obliged to request you TO Leave my presence. !
think it but fair to tell you. however, that the
principal reason for my deciding 10 take partner
ia that am going to be marred-that Is when the
consent OF the young ludi's father has been OBJ
aWel sir" said the clerk "of all periods in life,
surely the eve of marriage should most naturally
inspire kind actions. You are about 10 make your
self as happy as n human being possibly be, yet
YOU wish TO inaugurate that period by reducing 20
want ana ruin an old and tired servant know
YOU too vol. sir rather, think too well OF you
not TO he that If you carry oIt !hls latter
intention your conscience mus; PRICK you in alter
life .
Mr. Penn" said Greysark severely. told YOU
not 10 handy words with mo 50 let me hear no
more. ! am now going to Brighton. DO not omit 10
forward all letters to my address there on VIII
,ln lao /.
that am not little ostOnished that, remembering.
as YOU must, what | have done for yoH' ana now
with your tarni>hcd name you might long ere tii,s
have been begging your bread but loi me, you AUu
should presume to offer me advice on my Own
affairs. But viii say no more :t;.,..o.
that some straw might still be lett 10 cIutci NJ:
Then be SAID :" Mr. Greysark, You. Observed lus'
now that the fact of your naTTlage IePo"uS 'io'
the consent OF the young lady father. a.
"Tbose my words, Mr.. Penn repHea Inv
merchant. ,.,, ..;, p,,,
"Rcfuse, Mr. Pom! Eofuse" exclaimed
! Greysark. Such thing is Simply impossible,
simply too ridiculous TO be emtcrta'"J" arafban 1
! Greysnrk II Co, should imagine was " III u'"''H
so Won may think Sir" said Penn, quietly
| bnt fathers sometimes hold strange opinions
! 'aMr. Penn. YOU arc insolent. sir" almost roaicd
the merchant rising in his chair and RlaiinS AT hi'
Penn iumbled in his pockets and continued, stil
quietly, Veil sir, in this case the father oi!n"n
does happen to dlfer from yours abu ITO Ioi"S'o i'
sanction TO his daughters marriage =.
Jonathan Greysark started from hs chalr, ii'
! face perfectly livid, hs eyes and mouth woe
opened. Penn drew forth letter from his poeh9t
, uufolded it, and as il utterly unconscious oI Tue
| storm he had raised, resumed: . ~
| 4You have addressed this letter to MI koOeI'
| Fleming the father of Phyllis, tie Young lady tt
! whom you have been paying your addlesseA l. iol
family reasons with which you are quite familiar
prefer TO he known in my circle OF acquaintance a.
Robert Fleming. Phyllis is my daughter. ana
re"
"No. no! don't 60 on" shouted Greysark in
voice of supplicatlon.
In the course of a few weeks Phyllis Penn becam
Mrs Jonathan GicysIrk. and the style ol the ~ II
in Rood Lane was altered to Grcysark, Penn d Co
-IL0ndon Truth.