Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-08
Eor Inung Alaen.
FIDELITY REWARDED.
Lesson TO Young Men.

A young man by the name of Ame', a clerk
for merchant in New York, was entrusted
with large amount TO collect which he per-
formed honestly, so well as his employer could
discover: but Smith--ihat was the merchants
name-was very cautious man and often
laid traps to catch his clerks in defrauding
him, if any of them were not proof against
dishonesty. In this way he ascortained which
Of them could be trusted. and when he found
one of them dishonest he would discharge
him.
Mr.. Smith kept a wholesale and retail dry
goods store, doing an immense business, and
after he had accumulated fortune, and he
had begun to think Of retiring from business,
he said Now am going to give up my
business to such Of my clerks as ! know to be
honest shall test them one by one, and
tomorrow am going to see what Ames is
an honest young man or rascal.
The next morning he called a friend, whose
son was intimate with young Ames, and ar
ranged trap to test his honesty. He had
a large number of accounts to collect that
day, and Robert L. MIR. Smiths friends
son,) was to meet him as ifby accident, aud
propose TO spend some of the money collected
for nuts, oranges, ice cream &c.
Well, Robert managed to meet Ames just
as he had completed his collection, and had
large roll of bills aud lots" of fractional
currency, when the following conversation en- /
sued
Good morning Ames-been out collect
ing? Got lots Of money, ! suppose
Yes I've over a thousand dollars, and |
must hurry back to the store, as I'm afraid !
may get robbed One don't know who may
/ be dogcing his steps in such city as New
. York, to rob him even in the day time
D Don't be in a hurry. Let's 60 into Tay-
e lors and get some ice cream, &c. I'll foot
s the bill"
. "And so into Taylors they went, and sat
. down TO a beautiful marble table.
; n Now Ames." said Robert, "you have
G pocket full Of money, and am rather short /;
= Just take dollar out Of the roll OF greenbacks
= and pav the bill Nobody need know about
a it. You can turn over the mony to the cash
! ier, and if he discovers it short one dollar,
!, you may say you can't account for it-some
: mistake somewhere. Such errors occur often
c YOU know, and nobody thinks one dishonest.
= / tellyou Ames, such chaps as you don't get
= moro Than half paid for their services, and it
a would not be wrong, occasionally, to take a
/, few shilings when it can be done without de-
d lection. | know young fellow who pays all
h his small bills such as for juleps, cigars, and
r going out to the theatres, in that way, and
has done so for years, and his employer never
e suspected him of dishonesty"
d No. sir" replied Ames, Sc cannot COM
,e ply with your request \ dollar short IN
.r nv cash might be considered an error and
is overlooked but there would come settle
q ment with conscience, which could not be got
IN over very easily My father used to say to
= me, Johnny, when you grow to be man
is remember that honesty is the best policy.
=. He's dead and gone, now, but these words will
,e never be forgotten. / know I'm working iol
le low wages, but | agreed to work for what
h receive and have no right to use my EN-
d ployer's money on that account. No, Robert,
4. refuse your request with scorn and indgna'
l. ton | am poor, but, thank God, have
d. never yet taken money that did not belong tC
is me- and trust never shall and if this Ii
he the way you seek TO turn young men iron
pt the path Of rectitude desire never to NEE
n you again"
m. Ames then arose and left Robert seated
,w and returned to the store.
d. The next day Mr.. Smith called his clerk
IN, into his private Office and told them to b
nd seated. They all stared at each other IN won
Is der one and all expecting to be discharged.
=" Boys" said he, 81 am going to retir
og from business. | have made my fortune here
b. and now | propose to loan my entire stoel
" and trade-some s250,000 in amount-an
Ter the good viii of my customers to such OF yo
ID as feel can trust Ames, Stanton AM
a. Danford--handiug a document to Ames--
w. here is the bill of sale. You will, If agreed
VI ble take immediate possession, and the pay
ments may be made at your convenience.
NO have tested your honesty, each of you,
ay matter how, and | have no doubt that yo
= believe that honesty is the best policy. Goo
nv morning, gentlemen-taking up his hat
wish you prosperity in trade
his The firm of " Ames, Stanton & Dantord
ng is now one of the wealthiest Of New Yorl
to Amos is married, lives on Fifth Avenue,
,ct worth half million, and all the result of h
md refusal to embezzle dollar of his employer
ow money.