True Riches; Or, Wealth Without Wings

higher salary. Ah! guess I've got it now. It's only a bit of a ruse on his part to get me to increase his wages. I didn't think of this before. Well, it has succeeded; and, in truth, he's

want some one with me whom I can trust a

on the next morning, when he met Edward to hear from him that he would re

e asked. Edward hesitate

Mr. Melle

e give you more salary t

have reasons for wishing to a

" said Jasper, coldly. "Ev

ter he went out, and did not come back for two or three hours. When he re-entered the

a word with

ion, and he retired, with his employer, to the back part of the

you have been making rather free with my good name,

mounted to his face, and he felt a rising and choking sensation in his throat. Wisely he forbore any ans

, Mr. Jasper. Will you go

response like this; and he cooled

ave been slandering me is plain; and, also, betraying the confidential transactions of the hous

you give me your authority for all this. Let me stand f

ou deny

aving done you a great wrong. All I ask is your authority, and the right to

forget or forgive this outrage. Leave me because I cheat in my business!" An expression of unmitigated contempt was on his face. "Poh! What hypocri

round his te

ed. He was both surprised and troubled; yet concealed

" said he, "I wish you to understand, t

ch a rogue that you could not live with me and keep a clea

using for some considerable time. When he raised

made use of the wor

ords, those of a l

freely, and you will find me ready to do the same. There had been some underhand work here-or some betrayal of an ill-advised confidence. The former, I am

t Edward's suspicion was right. He had, all at once, remembered tha

omments and exaggerations, a strictly confidential interview. Such being the c

ed Jasper, with a cove

ed to hear

d not wish to draw upon me your ill-will. But, what is unavoidable must be borne. It is true, M

" asked Jasper, with i

s me to overreach a customer in dealing. So soon as my mind was fully made up to leave your employment, I called to see my old friend, Mr. Melleville; stated to him, frankly and fully, what I thought and felt; and asked him if he could not make room for me in his store. Par

!" Jasper said this i

can afford to pay, and of

you six hundr

ru

e most consummate f

d reply. "I have made my election thought

of this; mark m

-will, Mr. Jasper; but

I possessed sufficient

re you

s you wish it otherwise. I would like to

act, after what has just passed, I don't see h

Mr. Jasper," coolly

u?" was inquired, a

lars, I believe,

turning to the young man's account, ran his eyes up

here's the money," he added, as he took some bills from the desk and counted out the

t was prom

faith in your over-righteous people; and will do myself the justice to make some very careful examinations into your doings since you entered my service. If

en guilty of either of the faults you allege. As for an investigation into my business conduct,

t were his own private property, tied them into a bundle and marked his name thereon. Then bowing to the merchant, he retired-oppressed from recent painful ex