Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-07-16

4 he reaction upon the Young mans er
rolr, although he was ignorant of the fact
that it was such reaction, sobered his
feelings very much. We say ignorant Of
The fact still thought Of what he had done
would occasionally cross his mind, and stir
a latent suspicion Of some connection be.
tween the over-paid check, and his loss
of favor in the eyes ofhis Old employers
The effect ofthis was TO awaken,a feeling
of regret for having kept the money, (which
became at length so distinct an impress
sion as to trouble him. =
sThs money did not do me any good
THAT'S certain!' This acknowledgement
murmured 10 HIMSELF one day, when think
| ing over the matter. marked the progress
Of repentance.
! About year after Wheeler had left his
old place, the merchant in whose employ
ment he was, said TO him one day on COM
| ing in from the bank, where he had been
10 attend to some business.
q am sorry to hear bad news about Gar
diner the first teller in our bank
'Ah! What is it inquired Wheeler.
Gle has been detected in several false
entries
1T can't be possible! have always be-
lieved him to be q very honest man.
so have L. In fact the circumstances
are such as to show the existence of strong
temptation.
'How much has he taken from the
bankY
Only five hundred dollars have been
discoveredj and that he says is the full
amount abstra cted from the funds of the
institution, aad am disposed to believe
him.
'What could have possessed him to do
so?' e.~ 1851
Very peculiar circumstances. He has
a large family, and his expenses have been
fully up to his income A6but two years
ago, he says he overpaid to some one, five
hundred dollars, which the Institution re-
quired him to make good. 1t was deduct
ed from his salary at the rate of one hund.
red and twenty-five dollars quarter. In
the meantime debt become the unavoidable
consequence, ,and under its embarrassments
and goaded by the thought that the bank
was unjust in laying the entire burden of
the error upon him, when he was so little
able TO bear it, he yielded to the temptation
and made five false entries in the book,
each for one hundred dollars This is his
account of the matter and l believe and
pity him. ...-. ..-.-.
What course will the bank pursue!
inquired Whesler in so changed voice
that his employer looked at him seriously.
Gardiner has been removed from his
place and3 his securities released. The
Directors, under the circumstances. voted
to let the loss fall upon the bank. But
while they pitied the young man they
could not retain him in so responsible situ-
alton as the one he had occupied
'Oh dearR fell from the lips of w heeler,
in tone of distress. that was far more
deeply grounded in his heart than the mer-
chant dreamed.
4 don't envy the feelings Of him who
received the temporary benefit from that
poor clerk s error, when he comes to hear
of the sad consequence that has followed,
said Wheeler's employer, as he turned
from the young man ~, z
How the words stunned the ears that
heard them! r - .,@ .- s-4
For days and weeks little else but the
thought of Gardeners dismissal from the
bank was in the mind of Wheeler. Most
sincerely did he repent of what he had
done, and with repentance came the wish
to make restitution. While in this state
of mind, Gardner come into the store to
see his employer and lay before him an Of:
fer to go into business which he received
In order to form the connections; he must
have a capital OF five hundred dollars; but
he had not cent, was out Of employment
and his family dependent for their daily
bread upon the bounty Of u relative.
'The offer is very good one,' said tie
merchant. But can you furnish the capi-
tal?'
'No,' was replied that is the difficulty?
sHow do you think of obtaining it:'
4 know of no resource, unless those
who do not think ME really dishonest at
heart, and who pity my misfortune, help
me. Can depend upon you for any aid?
'I'm afraid not replied the merchant.
1 have need of every dollar it is possible
for me to command
Gardiner went away looking sad ane
hopeless. Wheeler did not hear what he
had said. but he was painfully affected by
the expression of his countenance.
Poor (elown said the merchant, after
Gardiner had returned-I pity him, bu
| cant risk my money on one who ha
proved himself dishonest, even though
we're under strong temptation. He has 6
capital offer to get into business, if he ha,
only five hundred dollars to invest, but h
will find it difficult to raise that sum; a
least from people who knew anything o
his short comings while in the bank
Wheeler heard this but said nothing
He was naturally fond of money, and ar
dently desired to accumulate property
He made it rule never to spend ovel
half of his salary, and, in conseq uence, al.
ways had money laid up in the bank, ,inves
ted in good stocks, or accumulating b,
means Of such operations as he could ente
into without interfering with his regula
duties as clerk. His ultimate intention
was to commence business himself, as soo1
as he had saved five thousand dollars, un
less good connection in some well estat
lished house offered before that time. TIC
wards this object he had already accmula
ted nearly two thousand dollars. Althoug