The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-03-17

his capture by the pretty girl in the
train, and so accounted Tor his pecu-
liarity. He himself, however, was in a
state of anxiety 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-past occur
rences, were, he knew, often oblivious
about matters present. Perhaps-but
he shuddered at the thought, and cast
it from him-for Phyllis was too good,
too honest, too much of lady, to be
so base and cruel; on the other hand,
possibly Mr.. Fleming was instituting
inquiries. 1t was natural that an af-
feclionate father should do so, and
every time Penn brought in visit
or's name the merchant expected to
hear "Mr. Robert Fleming announced.
On the Friday afternoon he called in
Mr. Penn.
"Kindly shut the door," he said;
81 have something of Importance to
speak to you about"
MIR. Penn obeyed, and anxiously in
spccted his employers face.
"Mr Penn" began the merchant,
with a preliminary clearing OF the
throat, ''you have been in my service
for some years, and you have given me
very general satisfaction in the perform
ance of your duties"
PENIS face frightened. Certainly a
rise in salary was coming, perhaps
something more substantial. But all
was dashed to the ground with the first
word of the great man s next sentence.
"But," continued Greysark, II have
been thinking the matter over very
seriously lately, and l have arrived at
the painful conclusion that must dis
pense with your services at the expira-
ton of a month from this date"
The poor clerk gasped and clutched
the table for support, and would have
spoken, but for magisterial wave OF
Mr.. Greysark's hand.
at is very evident to me-" continued
his employer, 'that some fresh blood
is needed in this business. In fact, l
propose to take partner, and by SO
acting to do away with the necessity OF
paying handsome salary to a head
clerk
"Mr. Greysark!' almost shrieked
poor Penn. "Do hear me. have
helped you to make this business. l
have been in this Office for more than
twenty years. You have never once
had cause to find fault with me, and l
may conscientiously say that have
never given you occasion to. For more
than one reason'I am precluded from
the possibility of getting another situa-
ton. My name, as you know, is
against me, and people would object to
me on the ground that l had brother
who had been in the police dock;
moreover, ! am not fitted to occupy a
clerks desk in any other business.
Think, sir, l implore you to think.
With one word you are turning an
honest man into the streets to beg, for
no fault of his own. ! do not wish to
push myself forward unduly, Mr.. Grey
sark, but at such crisis as this l am
forced to remind you that but for me
you might possibly not have found
business matters work so smoothly as
they have. If you discharge me with
the notion Of introducing new blood
into the house you will have to"
'Mr. PENN" interrupted the mer-
, chant, with wave of the hand, 1--WE
must in this world be men of business
first and humanitarians afterward.
have given your case my fullest con.
sideration, and in acknowledgment OF
your services, as we'll as by way Of
compensation, l propose to make you
weekly allowance until you get EN-.
ployment. But that you must 60
, have made up my mind. You will,
please, make no further observations
upon the decision at which l have ar.
rived, or shall be obliged to request
: you to leave my presence. l think i,
( but fair to tell you, however, that the
, principal reason for my deciding tC
, take a partner is that l am going to BIZ
|, be married that is. when the consent
of the young lady's father has been OBJ
: tained."
swell, sir" said the clerk, "of al
, periods in life, surely the eve of mar
{ riage should most naturally inspire
, kind actions. You are about to make
| yourself as happy as human can pos
, sibly be. vet you wish to inauguratt
| that period by reducing to want and
ruin an old and tried servant. know
Q you too well, sir-or, rather, l thinl
| too well of you-not to be sure that i
Y you carry out this latter intention YOU
| conscience must prick you in after
, life."
r "Mr. PENN" said Greysark, severely
0 81 told you not to handy words will
r me, so let me hear no more. l an
now going to Brighton. Do not omi
to forward all letters to my address
Q there. You will please be particular
r about this. / must say, Mr.. Penn, tina
5 | am not little astonished that, re
u Numbering, as you must, what l have
o done for you, and how with your tar
D nished name you might long ere thi
!: have been begging your bread but TO
= me, you should presume to offer me ad
a vice on my own affairs. But will sa.
/ no more"
/. The clerk fingered in the room, as
n in hopes that some straw might still b.
left to clutch at. Then he said: "Mr
!, Greysark, you observed just now tina
| the fact of Your marriage depends upol
# the consent of the young lady father.
s Those were my words, Mr. Penn,
n replied the merchant
o If he should refuse his consentp'
said Penn.
e "Refuse, Mr.. Penn! Refused ex
e claimed Greysark 'Such a thing
d simply impossible, simply too ridicu