182 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

“Qh no, no, no!” said he emphatically, speaking
to himself—“ that, I fear me, will not do. It would
give him too open an access to my books, papers,
and private accounts, in which are entries and me-
moranda that it might be dangerous for him to see.”

Jasper sighed deeply as he finished this sentence,
and then fell into a musing state. His thoughts,
while this lasted, were not of the most self-satistymg
character. Some serious doubts as to his having,
in the main, pursued the wisest course in life, were
injected into his mind; and, remarkable as it may
seem for one so absorbed in the love of gain, there
were moments when he almost envied the poor, but
honest clerk, who had an approving conscience, and
feared no man’s scrutiny.

It was with no slight reluctance that he finally
came to the conclusion that it would be altogether
unsafe to take Claire into his employment. And so
he cast about for some one to supply the place left
vacant by Parker’s withdrawal from the business.
In his final selection he was not over-fortunate, as
the result proved. The new clerk was shrewd, and
capable enough, and apparently as much devoted to
his employer’s interests as Jasper could wish. Had
not his own interests been regarded as paramount to
those of the merchant, Jasper would have possessed
in him a valuable assistant. But the clerk did not
rise superior to temptations which came in his way.
Jasper continued to trade on the close-cutting, over-
reaching, and unscrupulous system ; and under such
a teacher his clerk proved an apt learner.

“ He cuts right and left,” said he to himself, “ and