Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-07-04
SCIENCE OF BOOKKEEPING.

SCiEiNSE OF DUNN
The Knickerbocker publishes the follow
ing capital story, under the caption of Book
Keeping, or the Rich man in spite of Him
self" If it afford our readers half the
amusement we have derived from its perusal,
they will thank us for giving it place in
our columns -
We are indebted to "A friend for the fol-
lowing authentic anecdote of an old New
York merchant, whose name, we're We per-
mtted TO mention it, would sound Familiarity
IN the ears of many of our metropolitan
readers;
" In old times it was he custom of the
merchants Of the city Of New York to keep
their own accounts in pounds, shiliings and
pence currency. About fifty years ago a
frugal. Industrious Scotch merchant, well
known to the then small mercantile commu.
nifty of this city, by dint of fortunate COM
mercial adventure and economy, been ena.
bled to save something like four thousand
pounds, considerable sum of money at that
period, and one which secured to its possess
sor degree OF envable independence. His
places Of business and residence were, as
''"' ~"'''"''' " 'ihl tiiil', hHiti tHt SdilI'
roof He had a clerk in his employment
whose reputation as an accountant inspired
the utmost confidence of bis master, whose
frugal habits he cmualed with the true spr-
it and feeling of genuine Calcdonan.
II was usual for the accountant 10 make
an annual balance sheet for the inspection
OF bis 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 as,onish-
cd the incredulous merchant. 1t Gamma be -
said he, "ye had better count up agen.
dinna think ha' had sac profitable a bees
ness as this represents" Tie clerk. with
his usual patience, re-examined the state
nen', and declared that it was ga right, :"
and that he was willing to wager his salary
upon its correctness.
The somewhat puzzled merchant scratch
ed his head with surprise, and commenced
adding up on both sides the accoun, for him
self. 1t proved to be right. 81 did ma
thinks" said he, :" that was worth over four
thousand pounds but We ha' made me A
much richer man. Weel, weel, | may ha
been more successful than | had tho'l, anc
I'll ma quarrel wi mysel' for being WORT
six thousand instead"
At an early candle LIGHT the store was REG,
ularIy closed by the faithful acc6untant: an,
DIS soon as he had gone, the sorelv pcrnlexc,
aud increduioua merchant commenced tn,
painful task of going over and examining al
the accounts for himself
| Might after night did he labor in his solI.
tary 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 i; possible that he was
really worth "six thousand pounds" Slim
ulatcd by this addition to his wealth, he soon
| felt desire to improve the coalition of hi,
/ household; and with that view made pnr-
chase OF new furniture, carpets and other ell
cganccs, consistent with the position OF a
man possessing the large fortune ofsix thou
sand pounds. Painters and carpenters were
set to tear down and build up; and in a
short time the gloomy residence in Stone
street was renovated in such degree as to
attract the curiosity and envy of all his neigh
bors.
The doubts Of the old man would still how.
ever obtrudc themselves upon his mind; anc
he determined once more TO make a thor
ough examination Of his accounts. On
dark aud gloomy night he commenced In
labors, with the patient investigating spiri
of man determined to probe the matter t.
the very bottom. 1t was past the hour o
midnight, yet he had not been able to detec
a single error but still he went on. Hi
heart high with hope, for he had nearly
" reached the end of his labor. A suspicion
seized his mind as to one item in the account
Eureka! lie has found it.
With the frenzy of a madman he drew hi
broad brmmed white hat ever his eyes, anc
rushed into the street. The rain and storm
were nothing to HIM. He hurried to the res
idence Of his clerk in Wall ST.; reached In
door and seized the handle of the hug
knocker, with which he raped until tn
neighborhood was reused with the loud al
arm. The unfortunate clerk poked hi
night cap on, of an upper window, and de
handed, "Wha's there 2" It's me, yo
damned scoundreI :" said the frenzied mer
chant; +" Ye'ge added up tie gear Of on
!, Lori among the pounds !" Such was til
fact. The addition of the year of our Lor
among the items had swelled the fortune
the merchant some two thousand pounds be
yond the amount.