The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-23
His Clever Clerk

|
Principally at 10 o'clock on Tuesday
morning, the dapper, rubicund. and some
what portly little solicitor bounded up his
office stairs in Jermyn street at three
steps al time Hardly had he seated
himself in his chair than he rang the
bell violently
What's the matter with the gunner
this morning. I wonders" exclaimed Jen-
kins to the junior clerk. Hasn't even
opened his letters yet. either. Seems to
| De in a nice temper, so look out for
| squalls. youngsterr
But instead of the managing clerk find
| ind his principal in towering passion.
| Jenkins was not a little surprised as he
slid cautiously into the great mans room
| TO be received with a CHEEKY: Good
| morning, jenkins! How do you do, Jen-
kins!
Thank you, sir" said Jenkins, deferen-
TALLY. II am well. sir"
| jenkins, I am engaged"
20, beg pardon, sir! thought you
| wanted me-
! mo. you stupld I did not mean that.
| l mean that am engaged to be married.
Jenkins started. but merely replied, In
! deed, siri'
Yes, to the loveliest, most charming,
| most bewitching girl in town-rich, too,
| Jenkins. You must congratulate me!'
! II certainly do, sir, with all my heart.
! Might ] inquire the lady's manner"
NO, jenkins, that is little secret, but
not for long. You shall be the first 10
hear It, and you may take this a
mark of my confidence in your discretion.
| In the meantime, / wish you to inform
| the staff that in celebration of tbs happy
even the office will be closed this after
noon, and they can take a holiday"
Including myself" asked the clerk
| "Of course am extremely obliged to you,
| sir, but really l do not see what use 1
can make OF a half holiday at such short
| notice, and, besides, one or two important
clients are to call this afternoon"
quite true. Jenkins. / had forgotten
II is just like your effectiveness and f.
deity to remind me; but that is no rea-
son why the juniors should not go. AS for
myself. I am going to take day off,
too. I want to catch the 11:45 to Read
ing, so as to carry the good news to the
old folks at home without loss of time"
''All right, SIR said jenkins.
His employer beckoned him back for
moment
by the way, Jenkins. I called yester-
day afternoon at a type-writing employ
ment agency. and was recommended a girl
clerk, who would relieve you of great
deal of office drudgery. II is rather an
innovation, but at all events we will try
the experiment"
'All right, SIR"
Mr.. Jenkins was left in the solitude of
his room. Suddenly there came a gentle
rat-a-tat-tat at the office door On open
ing it, Jenkins was Confronted with tall,
handsome, and fashionably dressed young
lady.
rs Mr.. Clayton Within" she inquired.
mo, miss; he left early this morning,
and will not be back today"
Indeed, l am so sorry; wanted to see
him particularly. l want to know wheth-
er or not 1 am to consider myself en-
gagged"
A puzzled expression passed across Jen-
kins' face, and then a ray of light burst
in upon his ever alert and active brain.
Certainly. miss; he told me so himself
this morning"
Did he. really? How nice of him.
When do l begin?'
We'll he didn't exactly say, miss, but
he gave me to understand it would be
soon"
Mr.. Jenkins invited his visitor inside She
accepted without the least hesitation.
80, this is the Officer she observed;
cit looks comfortable enough, though it
smells a bit musty."
you will soon brighten 1t UP, miss, If
you come here often"
"Often, sir" exclaimed the visitor; 81
shall come here every day. OF courses"
That's good" said Jenkins with a pa
triarchial nod; good indeed. Will you
call again tomorrow"
'Of course, will; what are your office
hours"
Ten to i, miss
Then, I will be here at 10, precisely. 1 |
wish you good afternoon. By the way, |
might 1 ask your manner"
Certainly, miss; Jenkins, miss; manag- |
ing clerk, miss"
-Four o'clock struck, when there came |
another knock
Another lady. by all that's good and |
holy" he whispered.
Il suppose Mr.. Clayton is not imp
You are about right there" replied |
Jenkins, testify. who do you think is /
likely to be in at this time of day?"
We'll, of course. didn't know any bet
ter. ! have only just come from
From school, l suppose interjected /
Jenkins; for, indeed, the girl looked young.
=, no; from
Eyes, I know; Mr.. Clayton told me
about you, but you had better call again"
him a little. He could not help feeling
that he was almost rude to the girl-nor
could he help noticing how sweet a face
and how grlish a figure his second visitor
possessed.
"At what hour do you expect Mr.. Clay
ton in the morning." she inquired.
Not before 10; but l don't expect he
will be able TO see you before II. He is
busy to begin with, and cannot be both
cred with callers as a rule. especially
when they are only after jobs"
After what?"
"Jobs-iobs! Isn't that plain enough?"
Yes. IT'S plain enough, but 1 don't quite
eyes flashed a little an
griy-"and I don't think you do either
shall make it my early business with
manners, sir! Good evening"
It was with rage that Mr.. William
Henry Clayton burst in next morning.
The trembling clerk came forward
What have you been saying 70 Miss
demanded the lawyer in sc-
.ents ehoked with passion.
Miss Maynard, sir%s" bluhbered Jen-
lins: who is Miss Maynard
why. my betr0thed, you double-dyed
What do you mean by insult !
ng her with Jobs and what not. eh7"
IL never mentioned such a word to
,er," stammered the miserable wretch
It was the typewriter girl I said II to-
merely congra tuiated Miss Maynard ard :
Wished her every happiness. and hoped
ne would have lots OF presents"
Great Scottt' grosned the unhappy {
layton: he has mistaken the one for
ne othsrt 7
Jenkins admits now to himself that per c
APPS ne IS not quite 50 clever as b. used +