American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-20
from the Knickerbocker Magazine,l
BOOKKEEPING, OR THE RICH MAN IN SPITE
OF HIMSELF,

BOOKKEEPING, OR THE RICH MAN IN SPITE
OF HIMSELF
We are indebted to friend for the following
authentic aneCdote of an old New York mer-
chant, whose name, were we permitted TO men
ton it, would sound Familiarity in the ears Of
many Of our metropolitan readers: "ln old
times it was the custom of the merchants of
the city Of New York to keep their own ac-
counts III pounds, shllings and pence currency.
About fifty years ago a frugal, industrious
Scotch merchant, well known to the then small
mercantile community of this city, had, by
dint Of fortunate commercial adventure and
economy been enabled TO save something like
four thousand pounds considerable sum of
money at that period, and one which secur-
ed to It's possessor a degree of enviable indie
pendence. His places Of business and resi-
dence were, as was customary at that time, un-
der the same root. lie had clerk in his en-
ployment whose reputation as an accountant
inspired the utmost confidence of his master,
whose frugal habits he cmulated with the true
spirit and feeling of genuine Caledonia. 1t
was usual for the accountant to make an an
nual balance sheet for the inspection of his
master, in order that he might see what had
been the profits of his business for the past
year On this occasion the balance sheet show
ed to the credit of the business six thousand
pounds, which somewhat astonishcd tie ncred-
ulous merchant, 1T Gamma be- said he; we
had better count up agen. | dinna think |
liza Ina sac profitable a beesnos' as th 5 repre-
sents.' The clerk, with his usual patience, re-
examined the statement, and declared thai il
was "a right and that he was willing to wa
ger his salary upon its correctness. The some
what puzzled merchant scratched his head with
surprise, and commenced adding up OH both
sides of the account for himself 1t proved TO
be right i did ma think said he, that was
worth over four thousand pounds; but We ha'
made me a much richer man. Weel, wecl,
may ha' been mair successful than had thott.
and III ma quarrel VII myself for being worth
six thousand instead.'
At early candle light the store was REGULARLY
closed by the faithful accountant; and as soon
as he had gone, the sorely perpexed and mere
dulous merchant commenced the painful task
Of going over and examining all the account
for himself. Night after night did he labor in
his solitary counting house alone, to look for
the error; but every examination confirmed the
correctness of the clerk, until the old Scotch
man began TO believe it possible that he was
really worth sax thousand pounds Stimula-
ted by this addition to his veal he soon felt
desire TO improve the condition of his house
hold; and with that view, made purchase Of
new furniture, carpets, and other elegancies,
consistent with the position Of man possessing
the large fortune Of six thousand pounds. S.
Painters and carpenters were set to tear down
and build up; and in a short time the gloomy
residence in Stone street was renovated 10 such
a degree as to attract the curiosity and envy of
all his neighbors. The doubts of the old man
would still however obtrude themselves upon
his mind; and he determined once more to make
thorough examination of his accounts. On
dark and gloomy night he commenced his
labors, with the patient investigating spirit of
man determined to probe the matter TO the
very bottom. 1t was past the hour of mid
night, yet he had not been able to detect a sim
gle error; but still he went on. His heart beat
high with hope, for he had nearly reached the
end of his labor A quick suspicion seized his
mind as to one item in the account Eureke!
He had found it. With the frenzy of mad
man, he drew his broad brimmed white hat
over his eyes, and rushed into the street The
rain and storm was nothing to him. He hus-
ried to the residence of his clerk in Wall-st /:
reached the door and seized the handle of the
huge knocker, with which he raped until the
neghborhood was reused with the loud alarm
The unfortunate clerk poked his night cap out
OF an upper window, and demanded: 'Whais
thereF Its me you dom scoundreln said the
trenzied merchant; 'yepe added up the uar of our
Laird among The poondsn Such was the fact.
The addition Of the year of our Lord among
the items had swelled the fortune of the mer-
chant some two thousand pounds beyond the
amount.