The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-08-15
A MYSTERIOUS CLERK
by HanweIl Briggs


years since:
BOOK KEEPER.-The services of a
competent accountant are desired by
h advertiser to take charge of the
books and correspondence of a -four
fishing business. Liberal salary and
permanent position is offered to one
with proper credentials. Address
A hundred eager applicants present
ed themselves at the establishment of
Mr.. Corlis, and among the competitors
there came a modestly attired person,
who, more than the others, seemed, at
first sight, acceptable to the proprie-
tor.
The address of this applicant seemed
quiet and pleasant. His whole ap-
pearance seemed Of IN earnest well
disposed man, who was DESTROYS to
get along in the world.
He brought with him and presented
to Mr.. Corlis a few brief letters of
recommendation from persons residing
in Rochester, and exhibited a draft
for a limited sum upon a responsible
banking house in the latter city. His
story was simple and Straightforward,
and his tanners We're altogether pre-
possessing. He wrote a fair business
hand; his credentials proved satisfac-
tory to the over-cautious Mr.. Corlis,
n he was engaged.
Ernest Maywood-for thus the appli-
cant signed his name-proved a model
clerk. He must have been some thirty
years of age when he entered the en-
ploy of Mr.. Corlis. He might have
hoon R-o r,Dn y, -Av1,nna L.
seemed to have the experience of q
man of forty, at least, for he was cum
ming in accounts, and his knowledge
of the ramitications of debt and credit
was extraordinary.
His varied qualifications were quick
ly brought into requisitiOn and his
employer very soon came to esteem
him for his accuracy in mercantile
matters as well as for the evident
goodness of character that marked his
continually upright and honest curse
of conduct.
Mr.. Corlis had a daughter, his only
child, in whom We're centefed all his,
hopes. The father thought he saw in
the character of his new clerk bust
ness qualities most desirable, and he
believed him to be a man of integrity
and worth; and at the end of a year
he secretly determined upon bringing
abou an intimacy between Ernest
and his daughter, with a view to max
ing him his partner at the fitting mo-
ment, and subsequently, If possible, to
uniting his daughter with him in mar
riage.
haywood had once or twice been
the guest of his employer at dinner,
where he had been introduced to the
fair and agreeable Miss Corlis, and
an evening or two had been passed at
her fathers house; but nothing oc-
Cured to oner the parent a hope that
his employee had been affected in any
wise by his daughters charms.
Thus the months passed quietly by;
haywood continued on in the same
plodding, untiring round of duty, al
ways at his post, ever devoted to his
employers interests and more than
satisfying the expectations of the
thriving Mr.. COrlis, who was fortunate
indeed in the selection he had made
in his now confidential clerk.
Ernest" said his employer to him
n morning, Il voluntarily increased
| your salary last January because you
merited it, though you did not men
ton the subject yourself. Two years
| dSo to-uul you lily bOohhVCDtl
The balance sheet exhibits a hand
some profit upon the last years bust
ness, to which result you have largely
contributed, directly and indirectly.
now propose to offer you an interest
in the business, and from this date if
you agree to it, you shall become a
partner"
The offer was a liberal one. The in
come derivable from such a share of
the profits would have quintupled
Maywood's income. On the part of
his employer it was the opening
wedge for his future plan of marrying
his daughter well and to his mind.
The clerks deciSiOG-a defamation
instantly, but frankly and kindly
given, astounded the generous Mr.
COrlis.
haywood said he was content as he
was. His salary was ample and was
a full equivalent for his humble serv.
ices. He did not desire it increased
He had no use for more money than
his position yielded him. He had nc
wish to incur additional responsible
ties. He was happy, and if Mr.. Corlis
was satisfied so was he. And there
the matter dropped.
haywood continued in the perform
ance of his duties and Mr.. Corlis qui
city awaited another opportunity t,
carry out his long-cherished plan il
reference to his daughters prospects
while Miss Corlis lost no fitting occa
sion to second her parents views ant
wishes.
Thine flies with silent wings" An
other year elapsed without any par
ticular change in the relations of tn
parties about whom we have written
One day a frightful collision tool
place at the railroad station in Rome
near which was Mr.. Corlis' place o
business. He and haywood wer
among the first on the scene, and wer
actively employed in their offices o
kindness to the u~nfOrtunates. whe,
the figure of a plainly-dressed ma
was borne from the wrecked car an,
haywood followed closely upon tn
steps of his employer. The fatally in
jured man opened his eyes as til
clerk came up, gaZed fearfully at hin
and shrieking the broken Syllabl
MAY expired.
haywood started back, horror-struc
For an instant he was paralyzed
That face and voice-that last glance
The clerk was bewildered, and me
t~ionless as Il statue-and the body wa
taken away.
haywood in the confusion, fec
Subsequent search for him proved fl
tile. He disappeared altogether, an
all efforts to find him, or to learn O
his whereabouts or his fate, wer
nike i'm vain After weeks of ma val