The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-20
The New York Clerk.

The New York Clerk.
A YOUNG man by the name of Ames, q
clerk for merchant in New York, was
entrusted with large amount to collect
which he performed honestly so far as his
employer could discover; but Smith-that
was the merchants name-was a very eau
tious man, and often laid traps to catch
his clerks defrauding him, if 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 discharged him.
Mr.. Smith kept wholesale and retail
dry-goods store, doing an immense bust
ness, and after he had accumulated for
tune, and he had begun to think of retir-
ing from business, he said, Now I am
going to give up my business to such OF
my clerks as know to be honest. I shall
test them one by one, and tomorrow |
am going to see what Ames is-an honest
young man or a rascal"
The next morning he called on a friend,
whose son was intimate with young Ames,
and arranged trap to test his honesty.
lie had large number Of accounts to col
lect that day, and Robert L. (Mr
Smiths friends son. was to meet him as
if by accident, and propose to spend some
VI GllC LuOuSy COuGClCC, 10 MUS, oranges,
ice-cream, &c
Well, Robert managed to meet Ames
just as he had completed his collection,
and had a large roll of bills and lots of
fractional currency, and the following con
yersation ensued
GOOD morning, Ames-been out col
Letting? Got lots of money, I suppose !"
eyes, I've over thousand dollars, and
[ must hurry back to the store, as Pm
afraid [ may get robbed. One don't know
who may be DIGGING his steps in such a
city as New York, to rob him even in the
day time"
Don't be in a hurry. Come, let's go
into Taylor's and get some ice cream, &c.
FL foot the bill"
And so into Taylor's they went and sat
down to beautiful marble table.
CHOW, Ames," said Robert, "you have
a pocket full of money, and l am rather
short, just take dollar bill out Of the roll
of greenbacks, and pay the bill Nobody
need know about it. You can turn over
the money to the cashier, and if he dis
covers it short one dollar, you may sew
can't account for it-some mistake some
where. Such errors occur often, you know,
and nobody thinks ones dishonest. / tell
you. Ames, such chaps as you don't get
more than half paid for their services, and
it would not be wrong occasionally to take
a few shi1lings when it can be done with
out detection. I know young fellow
who pays all his small bills, such as juleps,
cigars, and going to the theatre, in that
way, and has done so for years, and his
employer never suspected him Of dis
honesty"
"No, sir" replied Ames, al cannot com
ply with your request. A dollar short
might be considered an error and overlook
ed; but there will come settlement with
conscience, which cannot be got over very
easily. My father used to say to me,
Johnny, when you grow to be a man,
! remember honesty is the best policy
He's dead and gone now, but these words
will never be forgotten. [ know I'm work
ing for low wages, but I agreed to work
| for what | receive, and l have no right to
use my employers money on that account
No, Robert, [ refuse your request with
scorn and Indignation. I am poor, but
thank God, | have never yet taken money
that did not belong to me, and l trust
never shall; and if this be the way you
| seek to turn young men from the path OF
rectitude, l desire never to meet you
again"
| The next day Mr.. Smith called his clerks
into his private Office, and told them to be
seated. They all stared at each other II
wonder, one and all expected to be dis
Boys" said he, II am going to retire
from business. I have made my fortune
here, and now propose to loan my entire
stock and trade-some $3.50, 000-and the
good will of my customers to such of yor
as l feel can trust Ames, Stanton anC
Danford-handing document to Ames-
here is the bill of sale. You will, if agree
able, take Immediate possession, and The
payments may be made at your conven
fence. L have tested your honesty, eacl
one of you, no matter how, and l have nc
doubt that you believe honesty is the hes
policy. Good morning, gentlemen-tak
ing up his hiatt wish you prosperity il
! trade''
The firm Of Ames, Stanton & Danford
is now one of the wealthiest in New York
Ames is married, lives on Fifth Avenue
is worth half a million, and all the resul
of his refusing to embezzle dollar Of hi
employers money.