'It is working right, after all,' he said to himself. 'I shall be well rid of Pease, and Hiram shall take his place.' Then rising from his seat, he observed: 'I will think the matter over carefully, and you shall have my decision on the day. Now set to work as if nothing had happened.'
Hiram went back to the store as certain of the fate of Pease as if he was himself to decide it. 'Check-mated'—something like that passed from his lips. His countenance, however, gave no sign of triumph, nor, indeed, of any feeling.
In the evening Mr. Jessup announced that, after due consideration, he was of opinion the conduct of Pease was so censurable that the interference of Hiram was very proper, if not, indeed, praiseworthy.
'Perhaps you would like to settle with me?' said Pease ferociously.
'Just as you please,' replied Mr. Jessup.
'Well, I guess I have staid about long enough in this place when I've lived to see you coming the honest dodge so strong as that—darned if I han't!'
Next week Pease had quit, and Hiram Meeker was head-clerk.
Great was the astonishment through the town when it was ascertained that Pease had been 'discharged from Jessup's store for cheating'—so the story went. Mr. Jessup was too shrewd not to make the most of the circumstance. He declared, in his off-hand manner, that he never professed to have the strait-laced habits of some people; he confessed he did not like a fellow the less for his being 'cute in a trade, and eyes open, but when it came to lying and cheating, then any of his folks must look out if he caught them at it, that's all.
With most of the people this frank, open avowal was very convincing; but there were certain obstinate persons such as are every where to be found, and who are fond of going against the general opinion, who did not hesitate to declare this was all gammon. They knew Jessup too well to 'allow' he cared any thing about it, not he. Nothing but the fear of that honest young Meeker led to the disgrace of Pease, who no doubt would now be made the scape-grace for all Jessup's shortcomings in the store-way. So it went. But in the balance of accounts Jessup was a great gainer. Of course, numerous were the questions put to Hiram. He preserved great discretion—would say little. It did not become him to speak of Mr. Jessup's private matters. Good Mrs. Esterbrook was not silent, however. The story was repeated and repeated. It reached the parsonage; it found its way among the customers of the Smiths. Mrs. Esterbrook felt herself a good deal raised in her own importance, that the head-clerk of a store she was never in before should be summarily dismissed for misconduct toward her. She began rather to like that Mr. Jessup, (the calicoes and silk proved such bargains, and just what she wanted,) a man to do as he did was not so very far out of the way, and as for his wife, she was a charming woman, she always said so. Mary, too, what a sweet girl! Well, she should at least divide her custom between the two stores if the Deacon was willing—and the Deacon was willing, for he wanted Jessup to do sufficiently well to keep up his interest money prompt. Not only did Mrs. Esterbrook call frequently, but so did many others of the Smith faction. I need not say that Hiram was indefatigable. He secured the services of a nice, active young fellow, whom he took great pains to teach, and every thing went on like clock-work. Mr. Jessup was content, for he saw he was constantly gaining custom, but, in fact, he was a good deal confused, and hardly felt at home in his own place, so completely did Hiram bring it under his own control.
The first thing he undertook was an entire overhauling of the stock, and a close examination of its value. Then he insisted, yes, insisted that the prices should be marked in plain figures on the goods, so every body could see for themselves.