28 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

at least fifteen or twenty minutes, he sat at his desk,
completely absorbed in thought. At length he called
to Edward Claire, his principal clerk, and said that
he wished to speak a few words with him. The
young man came back from the counter to where
he was sitting, wondering what had produced the
very apparent change in his employer’s state of
mind. |

‘‘Kdward,” said Mr. Jasper, in a low, serious
voice, “there is a little matter that I must get you to
attend to for me. It is not very pleasant, it is true ;
though nothing more than people are required to do
every day. You remember Mr. Elder, Ruben EI-
der, who formerly kept store in Second street ?”’

“Very well.”

‘¢ He died last week.”

‘TI noticed his death in the papers.”’

‘¢ He has appointed me his executor.”’

‘Ab?’

‘*‘'Yes; and I wish to my heart he had appointed
somebody else. I’ve too much business of my own
to attend to.”

‘“¢Of course,” said Claire, “ you will receive your
regular commissions for attending to the settlement
of his estate.”’

‘Poor picking there,” replied Jasper, shrugging
his shoulders. ‘I'd very cheerfully give up the
profit to be rid of the trouble. But that doesn’t
signify now. Elder has left his affairs in my hands,
and I must give them at least some attention. I’m
not coming to the point, however. A little while
ago I witnessed the most painful scene that ever
fell under my eyes.”