Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-27
THE CLERKS ROMANCE.
A Story with the Most Delightful
 Ending Imaginable

odors of Araby were in the air, and that heard angelic music.
 !, Yet my surroundings were, to say the least, prosaic. sat at desk in an office in that domain of leather-dealers which New Workers have christened the Swamp-at all times place of any thing but dainty per- fumes-and this was midsummer at its hot test, and in neighboring alley disconso- late old organist was droning forth the tune .ycleped "John Browns Body" to group of dirty, barefoot children.
 l IT I had looked about me would have Iseen the closely shaven, mouse-colored heads of three young fellow-clerks and the polished bald pates of two old ones, who were scratching away for dear life. was fthe only one who was neglecting his work, but was thinking of her-of the loveliest, Idivinest, most adorable she. My body was in the Swamp, but my soul was in villa on the Hudson, where she dwelt and thought, no doubt, of me, and whence she had sent me little pink, perfumed billet. 1 "Mr. Prince, MT. Vondervitch would like Ito have you step into the oface." ] With these words a voice interrupted my ,blissful reverie-that of Dibbs, the mes- .senger.
 "At once," replied.
 ! Isprung to my feet, touched myself up with 8 pocket-comb at the little mirror in ASoAAS sAAAS~ AooeSAASe w S~Sy s~~~ S--. mons.
 Mir. Vondervitch was by birth Russian. He was afierce-looking old gentleman, with 'curiously-projecting light blue eyes and an immense head of hair, which looked like fwhat Is called by those upon the stage i'frlght wig" His mustache rivaled his wig, and his mouth booked like that of the wolf who ate Red Riding-Hood
 On the present occasion he was actually io1o of 1y ,olyi acp OS CyQr cites, which he smoked as fast as he made them, and during all his conversation he continued this occupation.
 He began thus:
 "So, Mir. Prince, I am glad to see you. have been very anxious to do so all day"
 sThank you very much, ST." said I.
 'sYou can spare your acknowledgements" he replied. "Itis as a curiosity that take pleasure in looking at you. wanted to gaze upon tho audacious, impertinent, presumlng and absurd clerk at fifteen dollars week who has dared to address those to my daughter"
 As he spoke he threw toward me packet of letters, which stopped as they flew by me in a manner which would have won me honors on a baseball field. They were nay own, addressed to Miss Theodora Vondervitch I knew them at glance.
 "My second wife found them in Theo- dora's chiffonier this morning." said MT. Vondervitch, 'and placed them in my hands. How did you dare write them2" murmured words to the effect that Theo- idora's fascinating personality was my ex- cuse.
 "She is so lovely" explained, "that to know her Is to adore her." "But you don't know her," said Mir. Von- dervitch. ~lu {-<, duced at little party," said l.
 Introduced or not, you don't know her," thundered Mir. Vondervitch. "One of my clerks can not possibly know my daughter. Why, the bare idea Is preposterous." could only look ct him. sIf we were in Russia I'd send you to Siberia for this indecorous and-and trea- aonable conduct" continued Mr. Wonder Ivltch. "As it is, dismiss you without any recommendation from this firm. Col"
 "May I say one word, sir," /" I ventured.
 "You may not" replied Mir. Vondervitch. AS be spoke the nostrils of his mighty nose distehded, and he puffed forth through 1 them in one great volume the smoke of all the cigarettes he had made and consumed during the interview. Where he had stored, N1 do not know, but 1t surrounded him and plotted him from my sight as bowed my self out backward. fWent to my desk and took my hat. The; 1 three young shaven heads and the two old; bald ones lifted themselves as did so, and Ave astonished voices inquired: nWhat's the mattera" Idid not explain, but simply said ''9ood- bye," and vanished from their sight, as I l supposed, forever.
 | When reached the room Occupied in my 1 boarding house I recognized the truth of the adage: "Misfortunes never come: single.H
 My pocket-book containing months
 wages, which had been paid tLe night be-
 fore, was gone. had either dropped it or
 some pick pocket, noting my absorption | in thought, had relieved me of it.
 Ihad not a penny in the world my weeks
 board was due, and had no friends to ap-
 ply to.
 My thoughts turned naturally to the Gen. tral Park reservoir, but had not the car
 fare, and lacked the energy to take me there.
 had had hopes of advancement at Von- dervitch Bros.'; that was over now; but
 was young, and after dinner began to pom der on some way of earning fame and fort
 une and presenting myself to Theodora's
 father as an aspirant for the situation of
 son-in-law whom he could scarcely refuse. l At all events, 1t seemed certain that could
 soon find situation of some sort 1, Three months from that day this object
 was not attained. l was desperate. had
 sold my watch, my dress-coat, my tall hat
 and my scarf pm, and was deeply in debt
 besides. The day before I had happened to
 meet fellow-clerk-one of the bald ones
 and he told me that Theodore was engaged
 to 0 silver king or an oil king or @ pecuniary
 king of some sort by the name of Boggs,
 and had resolved to ship for sailor. Ihad
 wandered about the docks all day, and at lUPHoLSTERING
 VXTOOD FINISHING, Piano Polishing and
 w general urniture Repairing. Oak Pic Pic Finishes and Wood Stains in all cOlors. Al goods called for and delivered.
 GEO. Q. BOOTH,