MR. EVERTON was the editor and publisher of the----Journal, and,like too many occupying his position, was not on the best terms inthe world with certain of his contemporaries of the same city. Onemorning, on opening the paper from a rival office, he found anarticle therein, which appeared as a communication, that pointed tohim so directly as to leave no room for mistake as to the allusionsthat were made.
Of course, Mr. Everton was considerably disturbed by the occurrence,and thoughts of retaliation arose in his mind. The style was notthat of the editor, and so, though he felt incensed at thatpersonage for admitting the article, he went beyond him, and castabout in his mind for some clue that would enable him to identifythe writer. In this he did not long find himself at a loss. He had aman in his employment who possessed all the ability necessary towrite the article, and upon whom, for certain reasons, he soon fixedthe origin of the attack.
"Have you seen that article in the Gazette?" asked an acquaintance,who came into Everton's office while he sat with the paper referredto still in his hand.
"I have," replied Everton, compressing his lips.
"Well, what do you think of it?"
"It'll do no harm, of course; but that doesn't touch the malice ofthe writer."
"No."
"Nor make him any the less base at heart."
"Do you know the author?"
"I believe so."
"Who is he?"
"My impression is, that Ayres wrote it."
"Ayres?"
"Yes."
"Why, he is indebted to you for his bread!"
"I know he is, and that makes his act one of deeper baseness."
"What could have induced him to be guilty of such a thing?"
"That's just what I've been trying to study out, and I believe Iunderstand it all fully. Some six months ago, he asked me to sign arecommendation for his appointment to a vacant clerkship in one ofour banks. I told him that I would do so with pleasure, only that mynephew was an applicant, and I had already given him my name. Hedidn't appear to like this, which I thought very unreasonable, tosay the least of it."
"Why, the man must be insane! How could he expect you to sign theapplication of two men for the same place? Especially, how could heexpect you to give him a preference over your own nephew?"
"Some men are strangely unreasonable."
"We don't live long in this world ere becoming cognisant of thatfact."
"And for this he has held a grudge against you, and now takesoccasion to revenge himself."
"So it would seem. I know of nothing else that he can have againstme. I have uniformly treated him with kindness and consideration."
"There must be something radically base in his character."
"I'm afraid there is."
"I wouldn't have such a man in my employment."
Everton shrugged his shoulders and elevated his eyebrows, but saidnothing.
"A man who attempts thus to injure you in your business by falserepresentations, will not hesitate to wrong you in other ways," saidthe acquaintance.
"A very natural inference," replied Everton. "I'm sorry to have tothink so badly of Ayres; but, as you say, a man who would, in sobase a manner, attack another, would not hesitate to do him aninjury if a good opportunity offered."
"And it's well for you to think of that."
"True. However, I do not see that he has much chance to do me anill-turn where he is. So far, I must do him the justice to say thathe is faithful in the discharge of all his duties."
"He knows that his situation depends upon this."
"Of course. His own interest prompts him to do right here; but whenan opportunity to stab me in the dark offers, he embraces it. He didnot, probably, imagine that I would see the hand that held thedagger."
"No."
"But I am not so blind as he imagined. Well, such work must not bepermitted to go unpunished."
"It ought not to be. When a man indulges his ill-nature towards oneindividual with entire impunity, he soon gains courage for extendedattacks, and others become sharers in the result of hisvindictiveness. It is a duty that a man owes the community to letall who maliciously wrong him feel the consequences due to theiracts."
"No doubt you are right; and, if I keep my present mind, I shall letmy particular friend Mr. Ayres feel that it is not always safe tostab even in the dark."
The more Mr. Everton thought over the matter, the more fullysatisfied was he that Ayres had made the attack upon him. Thisperson was engaged as reporter and assistant editor of hisnewspaper, at a salary of ten dollars a week. He had a family,consisting of a wife and four children, the expense of whosemaintenance rather exceeded than came within his income, and smallaccumulations of debt were a natural result.
Everton had felt some interest in this man, who possessedconsiderable ability as a writer; he saw that he had a heavy weightupon him, and often noticed that he looked anxious and dejected. Onthe very day previous to the appearance of the article abovereferred to, he had been thinking of him with more than usualinterest, and had actually meditated an increase of salary as acompensation for more extended services. But that was out of thequestion now. The wanton and injurious attack which had justappeared shut up all his bowels of compassion, and so far frommeditating the conferring of a benefit upon Ayres, he ratherinclined to a dismissal of the young man from his establishment. Thelonger he dwelt upon it, the more inclined was he to pursue thiscourse, and, finally, he made up his mind to take some one else inhis place. One day, after some struggles with himself, he said, "Mr.Ayres, if you can suit yourself in a place, I wish you would do soin the course of the next week or two."
The young man looked surprised, and the blood instantly suffused hisface.
"Have I not given you satisfaction?" inquired Ayres.
"Yes--yes--I have no fault to find with you," replied Mr. Everton,with some embarrassment in his air. "But I wish to bring in anotherperson who has some claims on me."
In this, Mr. Everton rather exceeded the truth. His equivocation wasnot manly, and Ayres was deceived by it into the inference of areason for his dismissal foreign to the true one.
"Oh, very well," he replied, coldly. "If you wish another to take myplace, I will give it up immediately."
Mr. Everton bowed with a formal air, and the young man, who felthurt at his manner, and partly stunned by the unexpectedannouncement that he must give up his situation, retired at once.
On the next day, the Gazette contained another article, in whichthere was even a plainer reference to Mr. Everton than before, andit exhibited a bitterness of spirit that was vindictive. He was nolonger in doubt as to the origin of these attacks, if he had beenpreviously. In various parts of this last article, he could detectthe particular style of Ayres.
"I see that fellow is at work on you again," said the person withwhom he had before conversed on the subject.
"Yes; but, like the viper, I think he is by this time aware that heis biting on a file."
"Ah! Have you dismissed him from your service?"
"Yes, sir."
"You have served him right. No man who attempted to injure me shouldeat my bread. What did he say?"
"Nothing. What could he say? When I told him to find himself anotherplace as quickly as possible, his guilt wrote itself in hiscountenance."
"Has he obtained a situation?"
"I don't know; and, what is more, don't care."
"I hope he has, for the sake of his family. It's a pity that theyshould suffer for his evil deeds."
"I didn't think of them, or I might not have dismissed him; but itis done now, and there the matter rests."
And there Mr. Everton let it rest, so far as Ayres was concerned.The individual obtained in his place had been, for some years,connected with the press as news collector and paragraph writer. Hisname was Tompkins. He was not a general favourite, and had neverbeen very highly regarded by Mr. Everton; but he must have some oneto fill the place made vacant by the removal of Ayres, and Tompkinswas the most available person to be had. There was a difference inthe Journal after Tompkins took the place of assistant editor, and avery perceptible difference; it was not for the better.
About three months after Mr. Everton had dismissed Ayres from hisestablishment, a gentleman said to him,
"I am told that the young man who formerly assisted in your paper isin very destitute circumstances."
"Ayres?"
"Yes. That is his name."
"I am sorry to hear it. I wish him no ill; though he tried to do meall the harm he could."
"I am sorry to hear that. I always had a good opinion of him; andcome, now, to see if I can't interest you in his favour."
Everton shook his head.
"I don't wish to have any thing to do with him."
"It pains me to hear you speak so. What has he done to cause you tofeel so unkindly towards him?"
"He attacked me in another newspaper, wantonly, at the very time hewas employed in my office."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, and in a way to do me a serious injury."
"That is bad. Where did the attack appear?"
"In the Gazette."
"Did you trace it to him?"
"Yes; or, rather, it bore internal evidence that enabled me to fixit upon him unequivocally."
"Did you charge it upon him?"
"No. I wished to have no quarrel with him, although he evidentlytried to get up one with me. I settled the matter by notifying himto leave my employment."
"You are certain that he wrote the article?"
"Oh, yes; positive."
And yet the very pertinence of the question threw a doubt into themind of Mr. Everton.
The gentleman with whom he was conversing on retiring went to theoffice of the Gazette, with the editor of which he was wellacquainted.
"Do you remember," said he, "an attack on Mr. Everton, which, sometime ago, appeared in your paper?"
The editor reflected a few moments, and then replied:
"A few months since, two or three articles were published in theGazette that did refer to Everton in not a very kind manner."
"Do you know the author?"
"Yes."
"Have you any reasons for wishing to conceal his name?"
"None at all. They were written by a young man who was then in myoffice, named Tompkins."
"You are certain of this?"
"I am certain that he brought them to me in his own manuscript."
"Everton suspected a man named Ayres to be the author."
"His assistant editor at the time?"
"Yes; and what is more, discharged him from his employment on thestrength of this suspicion."
"What injustice! Ayres is as innocent as you are."
"I am glad to hear it. The consequences to the poor man have beenvery sad. He has had no regular employment since, and his family arenow suffering for even the common necessaries of life."
"That is very bad. Why didn't he deny the charge when it was madeagainst him?"
"He was never accused. Everton took it for granted that he wasguilty, and acted from this erroneous conclusion."
"What a commentary upon hasty judgments! Has he no employment now?"
"None."
"Then I will give him a situation. I know him to be competent forthe place I wish filled; and I believe he will be faithful."
Here the interview ceased, and the gentleman who had taken the painsto sift out the truth returned to Everton's office.
"Well," said he, on entering, "I believe I have got to the bottom ofthis matter."
"What matter?" asked Everton, looking slightly surprised.
"The matter of Ayres's supposed attack upon you."
"Why do you say supposed?"
"Because it was only supposed. Ayres didn't write the article ofwhich you complain."
"How do you know?"
"I've seen the editor of the Gazette."
"Did he say that Ayres was not the author?"
"He did."
"Who wrote it then?"
"A man named Tompkins, who was at the time employed in his office."
Everton sprang from his chair as if he had been stung.
"Tompkins!" he exclaimed.
"So he says."
"Can it be possible! And I have the viper in my employment."
"You have?"
"Yes; he has filled the place of Ayres nearly ever since the latterwas dismissed from my office."
"Then you have punished the innocent and rewarded the guilty."
"So much for taking a thing for granted," said Everton, as he moved,restlessly, about the floor of his office.
So soon as the editor of the----Journal was alone, he sent forTompkins, who was in another part of the building. As the young manentered his office, he said to him, in a sharp, abrupt manner,--
"Do you remember certain articles against me that appeared in theGazette a few months ago?"
The young man, whose face became instantly red as scarlet, stammeredout that he did remember them.
"And you wrote them?"
"Ye--ye--yes; bu--but I have regretted it since, very much."
"You can put on your hat and leave my employment as quickly as youplease," said Mr. Everton, angrily. He had little control ofhimself, and generally acted from the spur of the occasion.
Tompkins, thus severely punished for going out of the way to attacka man against whom he entertained a private grudge, beat a hastyretreat, and left Mr. Everton in no very comfortable frame of mind.
On being so unceremoniously dismissed from employment, Mr. Ayres,who was by nature morbidly sensitive, shrank into himself, andexperienced a most painful feeling of helplessness. He was not of acheerful, confident, hopeful disposition. He could not face theworld, and battle for his place in it, like many other men. A littlething discouraged him. To be thrust out of his place sounceremoniously--to be turned off for another, stung him deeply. Butthe worst of all was, the supply of bread for his family was cutoff, and no other resource was before him.
From that time, for three months, his earnings never went above theweekly average of five dollars; and he hardly knew on one day wherehe was to obtain employment for the next. His wife, though in poorhealth, was obliged to dispense with all assistance, and perform,with her own hands, the entire work of the family. This wore herdown daily, and Ayres saw her face growing thinner, and her stepbecoming more feeble, without the power to lighten her burdens.
Thus it went on from week to week. Sometimes, the unhappy man wouldgrow desperate, and, under this feeling, force himself to makeapplications--to him humiliating--for employment at a faircompensation. But he was always unsuccessful.
Sickness at last smote the frame of his wife. She had borne up aslong as strength remained, but the weight was too heavy, and shesank under it.
Sickness and utter destitution came together. Ayres had not beenable to get any thing at all to do for several days, and money andfood were both exhausted. A neighbour, hearing of this, had sent ina basket of provisions. But Ayres could not touch it. His sensitivepride of independence was not wholly extinguished. The children ate,and he blessed the hand of the giver for their sakes; yet, evenwhile he did so, a feeling of weakness and humiliation brought tearsto his eyes. His spirits were broken, and he folded his arms inimpotent despair. While sitting wrapt in the gloomiest feelings,there came a knock at his door. One of the children opened it, and alad came in with a note in his hand. On breaking the seal, he foundit to be from the publisher of the Gazette, who offered him apermanent situation at twelve dollars a week. So overcome was he bysuch unexpected good fortune, that he with difficulty controlled hisfeelings before the messenger. Handing the note to his wife, who waslying on the bed, he turned to a table and wrote a hasty answer,accepting the place, and stating that he would be down in the courseof an hour. As the boy departed, he looked towards his wife. She hadturned her face to the wall, and was weeping violently.
"It was very dark, Jane," said Ayres, as he took her hand, bendingover her at the same time and kissing her forehead, "very dark; butthe light is breaking."
Scarcely had the boy departed, when a heavy rap at the doordisturbed the inmates of that humble dwelling.
"Mr. Everton!" exclaimed Ayres in surprise, as he opened the door.
"I want you to come back to my office," said the visitor, speakingin a slightly agitated voice. "I never ought to have parted withyou. But to make some amends, your wages shall be twelve dollars aweek. And here," handing out some money as he spoke, "is your payfor a month in advance."
"I thank you for the offer, Mr. Everton," replied the young man,"but the publisher of the Gazette has already tendered me asituation, and I have accepted it."
The countenance of Mr. Everton fell.
"When did this occur?" he inquired.
"His messenger has been gone only a moment."
Mr. Everton stood for a few seconds irresolute, while his eyes tookin the images of distress and destitution apparent on every hand.His feelings no one need envy. If his thoughts had been uttered atthe time, his words would have been, "This is the work of my hands!"He still held out the money, but Ayres did not touch it.
"What does he offer you?" he at length asked.
"Twelve dollars a week," was replied.
"I will make it fifteen."
"I thank you," said Ayres, in answer to this, "but my word ispassed, and I cannot recall it."
"Then take this as a loan, and repay me when you can."
Saying this, Everton tossed a small roll of bank bills upon thefloor, at the feet of the young man, adding as he did so--"And ifyou are ever in want of a situation, come to me."
He then hurriedly retired, with what feelings the reader mayimagine.
The reason for this suddenly awakened interest on the part of Mr.Everton, Ayres did not know until he entered the service of his newemployer. He had the magnanimity to forgive him, notwithstanding allhe had suffered; and he is now back again in his service on a moreliberal salary than he ever before enjoyed.
Mr. Everton is now exceedingly careful how he takes any thing forgranted.
THE END.
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