Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-17
II.

Looking Dack OH IIldI SGrduSe cApeIlcucc
from my present standpoint I am conscious
that the lady's behavior affected my view
of Mr.. Jones' position injuriously. My
suspicious of him would have been aroused
in any case, but the insolence with which
his helpmate had treated me made me jump
to the conclusion that there was a screw
loose somewhere. 1t was very illogical, for
the ladv's conduct had at least shown that
she was not afraid of me, or of any account
1 was likely to give of my visit to Harton,
but was too put out BY it to draw conclu
sions of that kind. 1t was bad enough that
people should be purse-proud who were
really rich, but that the wife of man with
$500 year who was living at the rate of
sS, 900 should give herself airs was intoler-
able.
Of the reckle extravaganza of our man
ayers mode of life there could indeed be no
question unless his wife had been an heir
ess, in which case it was to the last degree
unlikely that she would have married Mr.
Jones, but much more painful suspicion
had taken hold Of me. l could not forget
the CONSERVATION he had exhibited upon
seeing me, his feVerish anxiety to know the
errand on which l had come, and his evil
dent relief when the contents of Mr.. APPS
ley's letter had informed him of it. That he
expected something of far graver nature
was convinced. As 1 sat in the railway car
riage alone-in first-class compartment, of
course, as was only right when travelling on
the business of the firm, which, of course,
paid the ''exes"-and reflected upon the
whole situation, felt that it was in truth
a serious one. There was no question as to
what it was my interest to do; when pres
emily saw Mr.. Apsley-he had told me to
call, no matter how late the hour, in order
to assure him that his directions had heen
attended to-I might make a clean breast to
him, not only of nv late experiences, but
of nv suspicious. ''What tell you, sir, {"
L might say, 81 tell you in confidence; but
it is my conviction that there is something
wrong with Mr.. Jones"
Even if 1 had misiudged the manager,
this would do me no harm, and if l was
right should have a claim upon the firm
which they could hardly ignore. 1t was
clear to me that was the most profitable
course to take, but in what direction lay
my duty? 1 had no regard for Mr.. Jones
whatever; indeed, / rather disliked him;
he was less like man in the Office than a
machine (though out OF it it seemed he was
''human enough") and showed no sympathy
for anv of u.s. But was it nv business to
ruin him? The notion of telling tales ''out
of SCHOOL, was hateful to me as to all young
fellows of decent feeling; and, besides
Though that was not so commendable), 1
had a notion that a firm which makes tens
of thousands year is in position to take
care of itself L had not at that time that
sympathy with well-to-do persons which,
am thankful to say, circumstances have
since developed in me-
On the other hand, Mr. Apsley was not
SIo,sr ST. 1N,,+% -,
tent, and according to his lights (though
they were rather dim ones), had been my
friend Was it right, entertaining such
suspicious as l did, and which so nearly
affected the well-beIng of the firm served,
that L should keep silence about them?
Some philosophers hold that conscience,
properly consulted, is an unerring guide
for conduct; but, perhaps, from want of
practice, L did not consult her properly; at
all events, L was puzzled how to act. L
think. If it had not been for Mrs. Jones, L
should not have said word about the mat
ter. If there had been a Miss Jones at
Harton Hall, of nice manners and appear
ance, feel sure 1 should have been silent
Think of bringing misfortune, and per-
haps disgrace, upon an innocent girl! Upon
the whole 1 resolved to adopt a middle
course. 1 would simply tell my story
more or less of it as circumstances should
demand-without any comment of my own,
and leave my employer to draw his own
conclusions 1t was not a very high prin-
cipled plan, perhaps-it was certainly
compromises but am writing of a thing
that actually occurred, and have set down
the conclusion arrived at to its real mo-
tives. They might have been more high
principled, but still think they were not
base.
1t was IL o'clock when 1 reached Mr.
Apsley's door. L was shown in, as before,
to his study, and found him there, smoking
a cigar, Though evidently pleased to see
me, he did not ask me to have one If he
had done so, matters might have turned
out differently, perhaps. Geniality in an
employer goes a great way, like smile
from royalty; but it was not in him.
"Well, you gave the manager my letter."
he inquired, sharply.
Eyes, sir; he said the matter should be
attended to tonight" "
THAT we'll You have been very expe-
ditious, Mr.. Ackers; l suppose you had no
difficulty in finding out Mr.. Jones?"
1t was evident he had no interest in the
subject, and only mentioned it to avoid the
discourtesy of dismissing me at once.
''No, sir, not at all; he was living, indeed,
in the best house in the place.
Gay, ay! He has good house, has he?
ANY grounds about it?" Here he yawned.