The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21
lone OF MY CLERKS"


suppressed excitement in the Office Of
Mefsrs. Cragsby & Golding, colonial
brokers OF French street. Mr.. Crags-
by, for many years the senior partner
in the firm, had Just died, and the
conduct and management OF affairs
had thus devolved upon Mr.. Golding,
who was now sole 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
one-so far, at all events, as those
whom he employed were concerned.
A man OF high character and strict
probity, he never made his own up
rightness and rectitude an excuse for
severely judging others. AS one Of
his clerks put IL, "Cragsby was strict,
but you couldn't help liking him, for
he would never find fault without
cause for It," This necessarily 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 ar
raDgement 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 q
feeling OF security ID clerks and ware
housemen, which remained undis-
turbed Till the death Of the chief ruler
awakened them, when they remem-
bered how different were the views
and opinions Of the junior partner,
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
eyes, had "a market value" That
was his phase. A man might have
served the firm well and faithfully for
twenty or thirty years, but this, in
Mr.. Goldings estimation, gave him no
claim to regard or consi sheraton.
But, as almost always happens,
there was one person with whom his
rudeness Of manner was yelled by
courtesy, bis asperity soitened into
mildness by the desire to please, and
this peron was the daughter OF the
lats partner, and consequently his
cousin, Eiinor Cragsby.
For some years Mr.. Golding had
cherished in his Utmost heaIt-or,
perhaps, Il would be better to say mind
than heart-a liking for his fair rela-
tive, and had set himself to gain her
favorable regard. AS yet, however,
he had no. achieved any marked sue
cess, but he was OF dogged, persever-
ing nature, and did not despair. The
match would be very advantageous
one, for Elinor was, by her fathers
death, placed in possession Of a con-
siderable fortune, which would be OF
use in extending and improving the
business.
"For," as Mr.. Golding was wont TO
say to few friends, "Cragsby was
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 re-
quired capital, and this, IL he could
but win his cousins regard, was ready
to his hand. Elinor's personal at
fractions, which mad at first captivated
him, would have been almost sufli-
cient to induce him to seek the ali-
ance, but Einor's wealth was irresisti-
BILE.
"Renshaw, the governor wants YOU"
said one of the seniors to young man
who, bending over his desk, appeared
30 intent upon his occupation that the
other had to repeat the worde, 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 alter him.
Hes queer one, he soliloquized.
Hes been here four or five years,
and he takes things as coolly rs If he
had been here all his life-more coolly,
in fact. Half Of US would have ne
to Golding full pelt, but not he; catch
him huTIying, / 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 reom where Mr..
Golding sat alone.
"You have kept me waiting, Mr..
Renshaw."
81 regret to hear it, sir" was the
quiet reply.
The chief shifted in his chair and
looked up ct the young man. OF all
his clerks apart from the important
question Ct the market value :" Gil.
bert Renshaw was the one he most
disliked.
81 have sent for you, Mr.. Renshaw, u
resumed the chief, ito point out an
error Of yours in these papen-au
error which might have involved
grave consequences"
Gilbert Renshaw bowed, but sale
nothing, The error thus magnifeC
into 30 much Importance, was in re
atty triAing oversight, and was fo
the most part the fault Of a Junior
This, probably, Mr.. Goldiug wei
knew, but "a the papers would com
before Renshaw for revision, he cEos
10 assume that the entire blame reste,
with him. The young man was a
once too high-minded and kind
hearted to exoulpate himself by aC
cusiDg his junior, and in a few word
expressed his regret.
at must not occur again, Mr., Rem
shaw"
Gilbert bowed, but made no reply
and then, after taking his principal
directions, left the room.
Mr.. Golding looked after him Will
an annoyed expression on his face.
"Ii catch you tripping again." h
muttered to himself, you shall sufle
for Il, my friend"
Bot the days went by, and for tim
his vindictivenees remained withou
an opportunity TO exercise ITSELF
He was shreWd enough, however, :
wait bic opportunity, And that va