The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-12-08
A New York Clerk.

and was entrusted with bills Of large
amount to collect, which he performed
honestly, So far as his employer did dis
cover: but Mr.. Smith--that was the
merchants name was u very cautious
man, and often laid 'traps" TO catch his
clerks in defranding him, and see il any Of
them were not proof against dishonesty.
In this way he ascertained which Of them
could be trusted. and when he found one
of them dishonest he would discharge
them.
Mr.. Smith kept wholesale and retail
dry good. store, doing an immense business,
and after he had accumulated fortune,
and began to think of retiring from busi-
hess, he said,-
"Now ! am going to give up my busi'
ness to such Of my clerks as know 10 be
honest. shall Test them one hy one, and
tomorrow I'm going 10 see what .\mea is
An honest young man or rascal y
The next morning he called on friend
whose son was Intimate with young Ames,
and arranged strap" TO test his honesty.
He had large number OF accounts to col>
lecttha, day, and Robert D-(Mr. Smiths
friends son) wns 10 meet him by accident,
and propose 10 spend some of the money
collected for nul1, oranges. ice cream. &c.
Well, Robert managed Ia meet Ames
lust a. he had completed his collection,
and had large roll of bills and ''lots" Of
fractional currency, when the {, flowing
conversation ensued -
"Gool mnrnine. Ames-hecn out co.'s
lecting Got lots of money, | suppose ;"
"Yes, I've over IL thousand dollars, and
must hurry back to the store ~ I'm afraid
I may get robbed. One don't know who
may be logging his steps in such city as
New York, 10 rob him even IN the day
time"
"Dont he in hurry Let's 90 into
Taylor's.
They went in and sat down lu u bcauii-
full marble table
"Now Ames," said Robert. you have
n pocket GuIl Of money, and ! am rather
short just take dollar ont Of tha, roll
of greenback4, and pay the bill, Nob,ly
need know about it. You can turn the
money over to the cashier, nrd if he dis.
covers i, short one dollar yon can say,
! "can't account for it--.ome mistake some-
I where" Such errors occur often, you
! know, an noGudy thinks one il dishonest.
| tell you. Ames, such chaps as yon don't
get more than half paid for their services,
and it would not be wrong occasionally to
take a few .hillings when il is d me with
out detection. know young fellow who
pays all his .msll bills, such ms juleps,
cigars, and going out to the theatres, ir
that way, and has done 50 for wears: and
his employer never suspected him ot dis'
honesty"
"No, sr." replied .Ames, II cannot
comply with your request. dollar
short in my cash may be considered ant
overlooked but there would come Il set
t,emeut with conscience which could not bt
got over very easily. My father used tC
say TO me, Johnny, when you grow tC
be a man remember that Honesty il th'
best policy He's dead and gone now
but these words will never he forgotten
know I'm working for low wages, bui
| agreed to work ior what | receive, ant
have no right 10 u>e my employers none,
on that account. No, Robert, refuse
your request wi,h scorn and Indignation
| am poor, but. thank God. have neve
vet taken money that didn't belong TO me
and ] trust ! never shall AMI it this j
the way you seek to turn young men from
the path of rectitude, desire never t.
meet you again.
Ames then arose AMI left Robert. an,
returne! to the store. The next day Mr.
Smith called hi. clerks into his office an
told them 10 be seated. They all stare
at each other in wonder one and all ex
pecting to be discharged.
"Boys," said he, IL am going to retir
from business. have made my iortun
here, and nov propose to loan my entir
stock in trade-some $3.50, 600 in amour
and the good will of my customers, t
such of you as feel | can trust. Ames
Stanten and misunderstanding II docu
ment to Ames-hcre is the bill Of sale
You will, il agreeable, take immediat
possession, and the payments may b
, made at your convenience. have leste
, your honor, each Of YOU, no matter how
and have no doubt that you believe hor
= esty is the best policy. Good morning
gentlemen, (taking up hi. haD. wish yo
prosperity in trade"
The firm Of Ames, Stanton X. Danlor
is one of the wealthest of New Yorl
Ames is married, lives in Fifth Avenue
) and is worth halt million; and all III
results Of his refusal to embczzle dolli