Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-09-07


son who ever helped US in the store, wa;
Henry Wharton, my employers only son,
youth of twenty years of age. He was
preparing for college under private tutor
but found time to help us in the store when
business was driving. He was a kind
hearted, generous fellow, and strong nat
ural attachment had grown up between us
AT first l thought of getting him to help
me to find the thief, but as Wharton had
promised to speak to no else upon the sub
Ject, concluded to keep quiet also.
That night l counted my money, but
made no entry on the account. There
were three hundred and forty odd dollars.
put it in new calfkin pocket. book
placed that in the money drawer, ,and lock-
cd the whole up in the safe. On the fol-.
lowing morning found fifty dollars miss.
ing, l counted the money over fully,
and was not mistaken. My suspicious
took an unwelcome turn.
During the day pondered upon the sub
Joct, and finally hit upon the following ex-
pedlent; When | had locked up the safe
for the night, spread upon the knob of
the door, and upon the money drawer,
some pale red lead, being careful not to
get enough on to be easily noticed. had
left the cash account open, to be closed up
in the morning. When I next opened the
safe, all was as had left it.
The next night fixed the knob in the
same manner, and on the morning follow-
ing L found forty dollars gone. Upon the
pocket-book were finger marks of read
lead and when came to open my cash
book found the same kind of mark there,
So learned one thing the thief knew
enough to see whether my account had
been made OF the money before he took it.
felt more unpleasantly than before, for
my unwelcome suspicious were being con-
tirmed. l had gained new light. There
was popularity in the red finger marks
that told me sad story. Still, L wished
to try farther.
For two nights after this the safe remain
ed undisturbed, but on the third night |
missed seventy-fve dollars more, ,and l had
now set my trap more carefully. The red
pigment was not only used, but had put
a private mark upon every bill in the
drawer. The pocket,book and cash book
were fingered as before, and the marks !
were very clear and distinct.
When the week was up, Mr.. Wharton
came and asked me what | had found.
"Ah," said he as he noticed the sorrow.
ul expression on my countenance, "you
lave failed to discover anything"
Alas, l wish could say so!" I re-
'lied. ~ have discovered too much. In
he first place the money has been taken
rom the safe, and the key left in the draw
+ and locked up as usual. Also, the
ash book has been one hundred and sixty.
vc dollars taken in all"
"But how do you know the cash book
as been examined :" he asked.
II will show you," said producing
9th the cash and pocket books "You
e those red marks l fixed a red pig
tent upon the door knob of the safe, and .
pom the edges of the money drawer ,
ou can see these finger marks 2"
eyes," he whispered.
"And now," ! continued, "just exam.
c them carefully. See how the leave :,
the cash book were turned over, and al
how the strap of the pocket book was :
ckod into the place. Do you see any
ing peculiar about ?"
"Only that the finger marks are very = =
ain" y
But you cannot distinguish the thumb r
lrks from those made by the fingers :" " ="
"Yes, l can." :,
"Then tell me this" l returned -
Vhich hand did tie thief use most dec. ~ ~
DUSTY an the l0Ork ?"
Wharton gazcd upon the marks, and ~
ally gaspcd-" Tile IT," "
$50 he did," l returned, "and all the
rks have been the same. The thief is te,
eft handed one, and he is acquainted L,
h the store and the book, and can gain tn
~ access hnro Rut 7 bovn vot onotbar -
rk. The last bills that were taken we're IT,
marked with a small red cross upon &c
numerical figure in the right hand up le,
corner. You can follow these up, for ex
ave neither had the courage nor the We
lrt to do it,"
The merchant sank back, pale as death
If.
HOnrv c tLe onl,, loft -bonda5 norron | I