Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-04-03
B00K-KEEPING.

! BO0k-kEEPING.
OR THE RICH MAN IN SITE OF HIMSELF
| We are indebted TO friend for the follow
ing authentic anecdote of a New Y ork mer-
chant, whose name, were we permitted 10
mention it, would sound (amiiarly in the ears
at many of our metropolitan readers: Gin
Old times it was the custom of the merchants
OF The city ofNew Y ork 10 keep their accounts
IN pounds, shillings and pence currency. A.
bout h,y years ago frugal, industrious
Scotch Merchant, we'll known to the then
small mercantile community of this city, had
| oy dint OF fortunate commercial adventure and
economy been enabled to save something like
tour thousand pounds; a considerable sum Of
money at that period, and one which secured
TO its possessor degree of enviable independ-
ence His places Of business and residence
were, as was customary at that time, under the
Same roof.-Ile had clerk in his employment
whose reputation as all accountant inspired the
utmost confidence Of his master, whose frugal
habits he emulaied with the true spirit and
feeling of a genuine Caedonian. II was usu-
al Tor the accountant to make an annual bal
ance 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 showed TO the
credit of the business six thousand pounds,
which somewhat astonishcd The ncredulous
merchant. III Gamma be- said he I'VE had
better count up agen. dinna think ha' ha
sac profitable beesness as this represenis.'
The clerk with his usual patience re-examin-
ed the statement, and declared that it wns 'a
right and that he was willing to wager his
salary upon lis correctness. The somewha;
puzzled merchant scratched his head with
surprise and commenced adding up both sides
ni HE account for himself. 1t proved TO be
right. 81 did ma think,' said he, ''ihat was
worth over ionr thousand pounds but we ha'
made me much richer man. Weel, weel,
may ha' been MAR successful than | had thor,
and Ill ma quarrel WIZ myself for being worth
SIX thousand instead.' A, early candle light
The store was regularly closed by the faithful
accountant; and as soon as lie had gone, the
soreiy perplexed and incretlulous merchant
commenced the painful task Of going over and
examining all The accounts for himself.
Night alter night did he labor in his solitary
couhting-house alone, to look for The error
out every examination confirmed the correct
ness OF the clerk, until the old Scotchman be-
gan TO believe it possible that he was really
worth sax thousand poonds.' Stimulated by
'''S w HIS Wedllll, lie SOOU IeIt uG-
sircto 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 possess
ing Tile large fortune Of six thousand pounds.
PAINTERS and carpenters were set TO work to
tear down and build up; and in short time
the gloomy-looking residence in Stone street
was renovated 10 such degree as 10 attract
The orI Of Al
The doubts would still however obirude
themselves upon bis mind and lie de;ernin-
ed once more 10 make thorough examina-
ton Of his accounts. On dark and stormy
night he commenced his labors, with the pa
lient investigating spirit OF man determined
10 probe the matter to the very bottom IL
was past the hour of midnight, yet he had no,
been able 10 detect single error but still he
went on. His heart beat high with hope, for
he had nearly reached the end of his labor
quick suspicion seized his mind as to one
item in the account. Eureka He had found
it. With the frenzy of a mailman, he drew
his broad brmmed white hat over his eyes,
and rushed into the street. The rain and
storm were nothing 10 him. He hurried to
the residence of his clerk, in Wall street.
reached the door and seized the handle of the
huge knocker, with which he raped until the
neighborhood was reused with the loud alarm.
The unfortunate clerk poked his nigl,-cap
out Of an upper window, and demanded
'Wha's thereP 'Il's me YOU dom scoundrelr
said the irenzled merchant; sye'Ue odded mp
NE year Of orr Laird among tic poonds ?
Such was the fact. The addition Of tie year
Of our Lord among the items had sweIled the
fortune of the merchant some two thousand
pounds beyond the Knickerbocker
Magazine.