The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-29
A MATRIMONIAL SCHEME.
By Henry Irving Dodge.

John Barclay of Barclay, Cummings q
Co. looked wearily ut the stack of letters
which the postman had just deposited
upon his desk and then, turning to his
partner. who sat oppositesto him, said:
Il tell you, Philip, ! must have some
assistance with the correspondence. We
must have a stenographer and type
writer
Every good,o said Cummings. "shall
1t be a male or n female!7
John looked at Philip for a moment.
"You know my objections to bringing
n woman into an Office unless she be old
md ugly. he said.
by Jove.." Cummings broke in abrupt
". There's a letter from a lady who
wants d position. She a she's 20, is
a fair operator and bcgs us TO giye her a
trial.
Il wonder how she came to apply to
u.s." said John.
AAh, here it isl replied Cummings,
reading further. 'sShe says it WAS init
mated to her that We. were thinking of
taking on some one in the capacity Of
typewriter on account of the increase in
our business and correspondence
We'll, She may have heard it from
some Of your friends, : said Barclay. for
l never said a word TO any one about the
natter
Nor | either, except perhaps - moth
er's at dinner. | suppose my sister Julia
heard me and boosted to her dressmakel'
Of her brothers success. and the lady OF
sacques and gowns told her friend, and
so on"
Pass the letter over and let me see
how she spells and p~unctuates. Why,
hello, it is addressed to you personally
1T is addressed to me personally, but
rs manager OF the house." Cummings
FASTENED to explain.
If Barclay had looked very keenly at
his partner just then. he would have no
ticcd d certain confusion that had sud
denly come upon him. The fact was
when Philip opened the envelope he dis
covered the photograph of a very beauti-
fiI girl. ana he was puzzled exceedingly
at its presence.
s.The letter is very brief, businesslike
and modest" said Barclay, "and such a
one as no gentleman can ignore. | should
suggest that we grant the request for IN
interview"
Philip aSsented readily.
AT precisely , the following day a
dainty card bearing the name of Miss
Catherine Austin was handed John Bar
clay by the Office boy.
Tell the lady we'll see her in just a
minute" he told he boy and then. toss
ing the card over to Philip. continued.
Il want to say one word before we meet
this young person. We have not vet
seen her, and | want to make ar agree
ment with you that neither of us shall
during the time she may be in our EN-
ploy show her any attention more tha
the courteous consideration which her
sex demands from gentlemen"
"Pll agree to that" responded Philip,
and the young partners shook hands.
When Miss Austin was summoned,
Philip took his place at the rear of the
room. with his arm resting on the mantel
over the CRATE, whore he conld watch the
effect of Miss Austin's appearance upon
his partner without being himself obsery-
ed.
She ap~peared-tall, 1.-THE and graceful,
wearing very deep mourning. Every bit
of her showed the lady. but when she
lifted her veil both partners were ready
to fall down and worship her. She was
womanly and qucenly. | place the at
tribute Of wonanliness first because |
consider it tie higher Of the two. Miss
Austin was dignihed and perfectly self
possessed.
After a few words Barclay dictated a
number of letters to her to test her skill,
and as the result was satisfactory she
was engaged and duly installed.
As time rolled by every one in the outer
Office came to regard Miss Austin with
admiring Difference.
One bright day in june Philip took
Barclay to task in a ~jocular way.
i've been trying for some time" he
said, 'sto interpret the term courteous
consideration and | didn't know wheth-
er it included bringing a beautiful bou-
quot every morning from the country and
placing it on our fair employees desk.
Perhaps as you are tre author of the
expression you viii advise me as to its
BREADTH
Barclay blushed for a moment and
then, with a look of mischief in his eyes,
replied:
"Yes, flowers are certainly permitted,
but most assuredly not bonbons or love
stories.''
1t was nov Cummings turn to blush,
and fhe affair ended in a hearty laugh on
both sides.
Late the same day the firm received a
cable which summoned Barclay to Lon
don, aud he prepared to leave by the
steamer which was to sail 1T IL o'clock
the following morning.
After the Office closed for the night
Philip stepped into a iireproof vault or
safe off the private office. where legal
documents and letters were filed. and was
looking for a certain paper when the
sound Of his partners voice caused him