Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-04

bic head OF one OF the DeSt-knOWu an(
most respected business houses in tn,
city of London; and that I am in a posi-
ton, which you may verify, if yol
please. by the most minute investigation
to maintain your daughter in a fitting
position as lady.
The entire happiness of my life, and
dare add that of your daughters, rest
upon your decision as to whether she
should be my wife or not, and implore
you not to be influenced in your opinion
by the somewhat peculiar circumstances
under which our meeting took place, and
our consequent acquaintance and init
macy were formed.
If you will kindly take week to con.
slider this, to me, vital question, shall
be inexpressibly obliged; and, thanking
you heartily in advance for the sanction
which feel certain You will accord, ]
am, my dear sir, your very obedient
servant, JONATHAN GREYsARK."
Having read this two or three times
over to assure himself that he had not
said too much or too little, Jonathan
Greysark placed it in an envelope ad-
dressed to Robert Fleming. Esq, and
that again in an envelope which he pur-
posed to hand to the old lady at Brighton.
The week seemed interminable to the
enamored Jonathan. Men remarked
that he appeared absent-minded and pre-
occupied, but two or three of his fellow
by the S:45, who were in the
same market, told the story of his cap
ture by the pretty girl in the train, and
so accounted for his popularity. He
however, was in state of anx-
iety to which he had long been stranger.
Tuesday, Wednesday, 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
pas. occurrences, were. he knew, often
oblivious about matters present. Per-
haps-but he shuddered at the thought,
and cast it from hin-for Phyllis was
too good, too honest, too much of a lady,
to be so base and cruel: ON the other
hand, possibly Mr.. Fleming was institut-
ing inquiries. 1t was natural that an
father should do so, and
every time Penn brought in a visitors
name the merchant expected to hear
Mr.. Robert Fleming" announced. On
the Friday afternoon he called in Mr..
Penn.
Kindly shut tho door," he said; Il
have something of Importance to speak
to you about"
Mr.. Penn obeyed, and anxiously in
spected his employers face.
Mr.. Penn" began the merchant with
a preliminary clearing of the throat,
you have been in my service now for
some years. and you have given me very
general satisfaction in the performance
Of your duties"
PENIS face frightened. Certainly a
rise in salary was coming, perhaps some
hing more substantial. But all was
dashed to the ground with the first word
IF the great mans next sentence.
But" continued Greysark, Il have
,een thinking the matter over very seri
,ously lately, and l have arrived at the
painful conclusion that must dispense
with your services at the expiration of a
month from this date"
The poor clerk gasped and clutched the
able forsupport, and would have spoken,
,ut for magisterial wave of Mr.. Grey
ark S hand.
1T is very evident TO me-" continued
ais employer, that some fresh blood is
needed in this business. In fact, l pro-
pose to take partner, and by so acting
o do away with the necessity of paying
/ handsome salary to head clerk"
Mr.. Greysark." almost shrieked poor
Penn. DO hear me. have helped you
o make this business. l have been in
his Office for more than twenty years.
on have never once had cause to find
ault with me: for may conscientiously
Say that l have never given you occasion
o. For more than one reason | am pre-
'luded from the possibility of getting
mother situation. Ny name, as you
Snow, is against me, and people would
inject to me on the ground that l had a
brother who had been in the police dock;
am not fitted to occupy a.
Jerks desk in any other business.
Think, sir, l implore you to think.
With one word you are turning an honest
nan into the streets to beg, for no fault
If his own. do not wish to push my
elf forward unduly. Mr.. Greysark. but
At such crisis as this am forced TO re-
rNind you that but for me you might
possibly not have found business matter.
work so smoothly as they have. If yo,
discharge me with tile notion of intro
lucing new blood into the house yo,
will have to"
Mr.. Penn, interrupted the merchant
With a wave of his hand, I'VE must il
his world he men of business first anc
afterward. | have giver
our case the fullest consideration, ant
n acknowledgement of your services, az
veil rs by way of compensation, pro-
'ose 10 make you a weekly allowance
lntil you get employment. But that you
must go have made up my mind. You
will please make no further observations |
pon the decision at which have ar
ived, OF shall be obliged to request you
D leave my presence. think it but fair
D tell you, however. that the principal
eason for my deciding to take a partner
) that l am going to be married-that is
hen the consent of the young lady's
lther has been obtained"
We'll, sir. said the clerk, -of all
eriods in life, surely the eve of mar
age should most naturally inspire kind |
ctions. You are about to make yourself
S happy as a human being can possibly
e, yet you wish to inaugurate that
eriod by reducing TO want and ruin an
ID and tried servant. l know you too
eli, sir-or, rather. think too well of
to be sure that if you carry out
his latter intention your conscience must
rick you in after life."
Mr.. Penn" said Greysark severely. Il
Id you not to handy words with me. 50
( me hear no more. am now going
brighton. Do not omit to forward all
tiers 10 my address there. You will /
ease be particular in this. must say,
r. Penn. that l am not little aston
he'd that. remembering. as you must.
hat have done for you. and how with
our furnished name You might long ere
lis have been begging your bread but for
e, you should presume to offer me adj
ce on my own affairs. But will say
, more"
The clerk fingered on in the room. rs
in hopes that some straw might still be
II to clutch at. Then he said: Mr.. I
YOU observed just now that the ,