Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-07-22
One of My Clerks.

Cragsby, for many years the senior
partner of the firm, had just died, and
the conduct 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 unanimous regret.
While by nature just man, Mr.
Cragsby had been an usually 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 uprightncss and
rectitude an excuse or 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 who 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 man and finding 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 undisturb-
cd till the death of the chief rudcly
awakened them, when they remember
ed how different were the views and
opinions of the junior partner, who
would now hold undisputed sway
For Mr.. Golding was accustomed to
rate his social interiors by very diff
ferent scale. Each, in his eyes, had a
market value. That was his phrase
A man might have served the firm well
| and faithfully for twenty or thirty
years, but this, in Mr., Golding's esti-
nation, gave him no claim to regard or
consideration.
But, as almost always happens, there
was one person with whom his rude
ness 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 heart-or perhaps it
would be better to say mind than heart
a liking for his fmr relative, and had
set himself to gain her favorable regard
AS vet, however, he had not achieved
any marked success, but he was of q
dogged, preserving nature and did not
despair. The match would be very
advantageous one, for Elinor was, by
her father death placed in possession
of considerable fortune, which would
be of use in extending and improving
the business.
"For," as Mr.. Golding was won't tc
say to few friends, "Cragsby was a
good fellow enough, but slow and old
fashioned-could'nt mt 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-
qulred capital, and this, il he could but
win his cousins regards, was ready tc
his hand. Elinor's personal attrac.
tions, which had IN reality at first cap
tivated him would have been almost
sufficient to induce him to seek the al
lance but Elnor's wealth was ire
sistible.
X
'Renshaw, the governor wants you,
said one of the seniors of young man
who bending over his desk, appeared
so intent upon his occupation that the
other had to repeat the words, and in a
louder key, before any notice was TAX
Ell.
Then Gilbert Renshaw, with brief
Thank you, Brown, put his work
carefully in his desk, and locking it,
turned and walked across the Office tc
the private room. Mr.. Brown looked
after him.
Hes a queer one, he soliloqulzed
He's been here four or five year, and
he takes things coolly. Half of us
would have gone to Golding full
pelt !; catch him hnrrying. l can't
make him out and with this candid
admission, Mr.. Brown turned his at
tention to this letter writing
Meanwhile Gilbert Renshaw had ell.
tered the private room where Mr.
Golding sat alone.
You have kept me awaiting, Mr.
Rcnshaw.
t regret to hear it, slr,' was the