The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-06-01
VOL. IX.-NO. "A.


der IL form The connection he must have a
capital OF five hundred dollars; but he had
not a cent, was cut Of employment, and his
family dependant for their daily bread upon
the bounty 81 one of his relatives.
'Ihe offer is very good one said tho
merchant. Bat can you furnish the CAPT.
tai?
= cannot was the reply. ',That is tho
difficulty
'IIow do You think ofobtaining itf'
i know OF no resource, unless those who
DO not really think me dishonest at heart,
and no pity my miSIortunes, helpme Can
depend upon yon for any aid?
I'm afraid not replied the merchant
have need Of every dollar it is possible for
me 10 command
Gardiner went away looking sad and
hopeless. Wheeler did not hear what he
had said. but was painfully affected by the
expression Of his countenance.
'Poor fellow said the merchant after
Gardiner had rctired-'l pity him, but cam
not risk my money on one who has proved
himself dishonest. even though it were uB-
der strong temptation. He has capital off,
or 10 60 into, if he had only five hundred
dollars to invest, but he will find il difficult
70 raise that sum; at least from people thes
know ANYTHING ofhiS short comngs while in
the bank
Wheeler heard this. bu, said nothing
He was naturally fOhd Of moLey, and ard
emily desired TO accumulate money. He
made it a rnIe never 10 spend over half Of
his salary. and. in consequence, always had
money laid up in the lauk, invested in good
stocks or accumulatnc by means Of such
business operations as I've could enter into
,,itl ,,t, r -, l.
as clerk. His ultimate intention was TO
commence business himself. MS soon as he
had saved about five thousand dollars. unless
good connection in some well.es!a blished
hause offered before that time. Toward
this object he had accumulated nearly two
thousand dollars. Although he had lost, in
an unsuccessful adventure, the five hundred
dollars obtained through the teler's error,
get the thought Of restitution came into hs
mind. He irlt that GARDENERS misfortunes
lay at his door. That he had Injured him
beyond all hope of full reparation. But his
strong love Of money. and ardent desire to
accumulate n sufficient sum Of money To
Justify him in commencing business for him
self. arose in opposition to the honest and
generous impulse. Then came a warm de-
bate in his mind between selfishness and
just principles, which went on for several
days, during which time he was much dis
tuibed. To restore the FIVE hundred dol
lars was TO put of al least year hey ond the
fine when he expected to get into business,
/ the period he so anyiousIy wished 10 arrive;
ana his heart sunk AT the thought. Then
came the question whether the money, If
restored, shcud 20 10 Gardiner or the bank.
! This was soon settled, however, on the side
Of the former, against whom the wrong had
been done, and who had been so great q
sufferer in consequence.
It was nearly two weeks before the MUD
/ oI Wheeler came to a fair and fill decision
/, was in favor 0fiustce. After deciding,
he acted quickly. Five hundred dollars
worth Of stock was sold. and the money
sent 10 Gardiner in letter, 10 which, Of
course, there was no signature. He then
felt more comfortable in mind especially
as Gardner Immediately closed with the
pending offer, and came into business that,
while il gave him a comfortable living for
the present, promised well for the future.
\ few months afpe this his old employ.
ers were waited upon By the merchant for
whom he was serving as clerk.
u wish said the latter, 'to ask Won one
or two questions about Wheeler. have
thought Tor some time OF oii,rin. him an in
tereSt in my business. But, before doing so
il seemed but right ;ltat should see you,
and ask the reason why you did not retain
him in your employment. it could not have
been for want Of ability or attention to his
business
ooh no. Few young men have his capac.
ity.'
'Thcn You had reason beyond this for
dispensing with his serviccsf'
Yes
MAY be permitted to inquire what It
wasp
yes. And under the circumstances, we
cannot withhold candid answer. You
know that Gardiner, the paying teller init
; - Bank, lost his place by absfracting
five hundred dollars To make good his own
loss in consequence of having paid that
sum on a check;'
yes. AID have piled him very much.
E His wa'gaihcr hard case. The sconndrel
. whotook advantage ofhis mistake. it known
. should meet with the eGecra.on Of all hon
est rnru.'
D we are sorry TO say that Wheeler is the
man who drew tie check
.WhcplprF
. ncs. Oar rhoc'. Of three hundred dol.
: lars received Gnr his quarters salary, Gar
= ulhrr Nau hliN' ~ intN''ke, tlEHt Huh'Heu,
70 aud he kept the money
/ 'Auh f,r this You discharged him from
i your employ
- Yes: rs snunas wr were aprrised Of the
. fact, which was Uca,Iya year after itoecur-
i rcd.'
: Did you tell him the reason"
D.. 'No.'
" 'Why"
4 eve didn't care to- do that
I Hes not an honest man. said the mer
I chaut, on learning this, 'ani ct course NO
: worthy OF confidence. So far from councc
. ting myself with him in business, | shall
I barely deem It prudent 10 retain him abou
me. cycu in his present cnpacity.'
: And on this view he acted. From thai
. time Whcclcr's situation was rendered 50
t unpleasant that, in the course of a few
y months, he gave it up, and sought anoth
II eT.
? Again nc felt the re. action Of his error
without cemprehending from whence th
n effect proceeded. lie did not know how
= much he had lost by seeking to gain fiv
1t hundred dollars dishonesty.