The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-11-15

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for we always suspect such persons as you
that come on dark days with we'll made
story"
"You need make no exclamations. Miss
said the man insultingly. "Take your
bill, and the next time you want to buy a
dressing gown, don't try to pass your
counterfeit money" and he handed it,
the bill fell from his hands.
Alice caught it from the floor and hur-
ried into the street.
Such shock the girl had never receiv-
ed. She hurried to banking establish
ment, found her way in, and presented
the note to noble looking man with gray
hair, faltering out, "is this bill bad one,
sir 2"
The cashier and his son happened to
be the only persons present. Both no.
tlced her extreme youth, beauty, and agi-
tation.
The cashier looked closely and handed
it back, as with polite bow and some
what prolonged look he said
'Its good bill, young lady"
IL knew it was" cried Alice with a
quivering lip-and he dared"
She could go no farther, but entirely
overcome, she bent her head, and the hot
tears had their way.
Il beg pardon, have you had any truo-
bic with it?" asked the cashier
"Oh, sir, you will excuse me for giving
way to my feelings-but you spoke so
kindly, and l felt so sure that it was good.
And [ think, sir, such men as one of the
clerks in Huntly & Warmers should be
removed. He told me it was counterfeit,
and added something that am glad faith
er did not hear. l know the publisher
would not send me bad nancy"
"Who is your father, young lady ?" ask
ed the cashier, becoming interested.
"Mr. Benjamin Locke, sir"
"Benj Locke-was he ever
clerk in the Navy Department at Wash
ington.
"Yes sir; we removed from there" re-
piled Alice. "Since then"-she hestat-
ed-"he has not been well-and we are
somewhat reduced. Oh why do tell
these things sir ?"
"Ben. Locke reduced !" murmured the
cashier; "the man who was the making of
me! Give me his number and street, my
child. Your father was one of the best, per-
haps the only friend had. 1 have not for
gotten him. No. 4 Liberty street. will
call this evening. Meantime let me have
tie bill-let see-Tll give you another
Since [ come to look, havn't got five
here's ten we'll make it all right"
That evening the inmates of shabby
genteel house received the cashier of the
M--Bank Mr.. Locke, a man OF
gray hair, though numbering but fifty
years, rose from his chair, and much af-
fected, greeted the familiar face. The
son of the cashier accompanied him, and
while the elders talked together, Alice
and the young man grew quite chatty.
eyes, sir, have been unfortunate"
said Mr.. Locke in a low tone. 81 have
just recovered, as you see, from rheumatic
fever, caused by undue exertion-and had
it not been for that sweet girl Of mine,
know not what l should have done. She,
by giving lessons in music and French,
and by writing for periodicals has kept
me, so far, above want"
"You shall not want, my old friend"
said the cashier. 'It was a kind provi-
dence that sent your daughter to me-
There's place in the bank just made va
can't by death of valuable clerk, and it
is at your disposal. 1t is my gift and
valued at twelve hundred a year.
Pen cannot describe the joy with which
this kind offer was accepted. The day of
deliverance had come.
On the following morning the cashier
entered the handsome store of Huntly a.
Warner, and inquired for the head clerk.
He came obsequiously.
''Sir," said the cashier sternly, sis that
bad note 2"
"I-I think not, sir, stammeringly re-
piled the clerk.
The cashier went to the door. From
his carriage stepped Mr.. Locke in CON-
pany with his daughter.
"Did you not tell this young lady, my
ward, that this note was counterfeit p
And did you not so far forget self respect,
and the interest of your employers, as to
offer an insult 2"
The man stood confounded-he dared
not deny-he could say nothing for him
self
"If your employers keep you, sir, they
will no longer have my CUSTOM" said the
cashier, sternly. "You deserve to be
horse-whipped, sir"
The firm parted with their unworthy
clerk that very day, and he left the store
disgraced, but punished justly.
Alice Locke became the daughter Of the
good cashier. All of which grew out of
calling a genuine bill counterfeit.