Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-10-23

HOulu SuCCeSu
On the following morning entered the store
with all my energies of mind centered upon
the work before me.
There were four clerks or statesmen, and one
boy, in constant attendance, besides myself,
and all the money received had to pass through
my hands. Sometimes made up my cash ac-
count at night, and sometimes not till next
morning.
In the latter case generally put the mon
ey drawer into the safe, and locked it up. The
key to the safe was kept in small drawer, to
which there were two keys, one ofwhich kept.
while Mr.. Wharton kept the other. The only
other person who ever helped us in the store,
was Henry Wharton, my employers only son,
youth OF twenty years of age. He was pre-
pairing for college undera private tutor but
found time to help US in the store when busi-
ness was driving. He was kind hearted,
generous fellow, and strong natural attach
ment had grown up between us. At first
thought of getting him to help me find the
thief, but as Wharton had promised TO speak
to no one else upon the subject, L concluded
to keep quiet also.
That night / counted my money, but made
no entry on the account. There were three
hundred and forty odd dollars. put it in a
new calfskin pocket book-placed that in the
money drawer, and locked the whole up in the
safe On the following morning found fifty
dollars missing. | counted the money over
carefully, and was not mistaken. My suspi-
cions took an unwelcome turn.
During the day pondered upon the subject,
and finally hit upon the following expedient !:
When had locked up the safe for the night,
l 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 no.
ticed. / had left the cash account open, to
be closed up in the morning. When next
opened the safe, all was as l had left it.
The next night fixed the knob in the same
manner, and on the morning following found
forty dollars gone Upon the pocket book
were finger marks of red lead and when
came TO open my cash book l found the same
kind of mark there. So learned one thing ;
the thief knew enough to see whether my ac-
count had been made of the money before he
took it. felt more nnpleasantly than before,
for my unwelcome suspicious were being con-
frmed. 1 had gained new light. There was
popularity in the red finger marks that told
sad story. Still, wished to try farther
For two nights after this the safe remained
undistnrbed, but on the the third night mis-
sed seventy-five dollars more. and | had now
set my trap more carefully. The red pigment
was not only used. but had put private
mark upon every bill in the drawer. The
pocket-book and cash book were very clear
and distinct.
When the week was up, Mr.. Wharton came
and asked me what had found.
ssAh,'' said he as he noticed the sorrowful
expression on my countenance, ssyOu have
failed to discover anything.''
'sAlas, | wish l could say so. 20 l replied.
81 have discovered two much. In the first
place the money has been taken from the safe,
and the key left in the drawer and locked up
as usual. Also, the cash book has been ex-
amined, and one hundred and sixty five dol
lars taken in all.''
s'But how do you know the cash book has
been examined ?'' he asked.
II will show you - l said producing both
the cash and pocket books. s.You see those
red marks. l fixed red pigment upon the
door knob of the safe, and upon the edges of
the money drawer. You can see these finger
marks 20
eyes, he whispered.
s'And now," 1 continued, s.just examine
them carefully. See how the leaves of the
cash book were turned over, and also how the
strap of the pocked book was tucked into the
place. Do you see anything peculiar about it2''
ssOnly that the finger marks are very plain.''
ssBut you cannot distinguish the thumb
marks from those made by the fingers q"
eyes, can.''
ssThen tell me this" returned ssWhich
hand did the thief use most derterousiy in the
uork /?
Wharton gazed upon the marks, and finally
gasped-.sThe ief.''
$50 he did, returned, and all the marks
have been the same. The thief is a left-hand-
ed one, and he is acquainted with the store
and the book, and can gam easy access here.
But have yet another mark. The last bills
that were taken were all marked with small
red cross upon the numerical figure in the
right hand upper corner. You can follow
those up, for l have neither had the courage
nor the heart to do it.''
The merchant sank back pale as death itself.
''Henry is the only left handed person on
the premises! =" be groaned, gazing on me as
though he wished that would deny his state
ment. But could not. / knew his own son
was the guilty party.
"Ask me no more," said !, with tears in my
eyes, for the fathers agony deeply moved me.
oThe secret is locked up in my own breast
and neither to you nor to any human being
will l ever call the name of the one whom
suspect"
with sobs and tears he begged my pardon for
the wrong he had done me, and thanked me
Tor the assurance l had given him.
On the following morning he brought me
fifty dollars in eight different bills, with red
cross.
ssI know all now," he whispered, in broken
accents. ssBe kind to me, and let this not go
out into the world.''
kept my promise, and lived to see the old
man smile again for when Henry saw the
deep agony of his father, his heart was touch
ed, and not only acknowledged all his wild
sins, and humbly begged for pardon, but be-
came true and good man, and an honor and
ornament to society.
The closing of the Mississippi river and the
interruption on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road have locked up millions of bushels of
grain and thousands of barrels of -four in the
West. The action of the Government in ia
king charge of that road will relieve the Wes-
tern farmers and millers to great extent.