The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-03-16
New York Clerk.

y
a clerk for a merchant in New York, and
was intrusted with bills of account to COL
lect, which he performed honestly, so far
as his employer could discover, but Mr..
Smith-that was the name of the merchant
was very cautious man, and frequently
laid traps to catch his clerks IN 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 would
discharge him.
Mr.. Smith kept wholesale dry goods
store, doing an immense business, and af-
ter he had accumulated a large fortune.
and began to think of retiring from bust
ness, ne said: ''Now am going to give
up business to such of my clerks as I know
to be honest. l shall test them one by one
and tomorrow l am going to see what
Ames is-an honest young man or a ras-
CAL"
The next morning he called on a friend
whose son was intimate with young Ames,
and arranged trap" 10 test his honesty.
A large number of accounts were given
him to collect that day; and Robert l.
(Mr. Smiths friends's SOM was to meet
him as if by accident and propose to him
to spend some of the money collected, for
Huls, oranges, Ice cream, &c.
Well, Robert managed to meet Ames
just as he had a large roll of bills in his
pocket, and slots" of fractional currency,
when the following conversation ensued:
Robert-''Good morning, Ames been
out collecting? Got lots of money, 1 sup
pose"
Ames-"Yes, I've over a thousand dol
lars, and must hurry back to the store, as
m M I r-f.f npa
know who may be dcgging his steps in
such city as New York, to rob HIM, even
in daylight"
Robert-"Don't be in a hurry. Let's
go into TaYlor's and get ice cream. I'll
foot the bill. -
So into Taylor's they went and sat down
to beautiful marble table.
''Now Ames," SAID Robert, "you have
a pocket full of money, and 1 am rather
short; just take a dollar out of that roll of
greenbacks and pay the bill. Nobody
need know, You can turn over the money
to the cashier, and if he discovers it short
one dollar, you can say: ''Can't account
| for it-sOme mistake somewhere" Such
| errors often occur, you know, and no one
thinks one is dishonest. tell you, Ames,
such chaps as you don't get half paid for
| their services, and it would not be wrong
! occasionally to take few shillings, when
it can be done without detection. l know
young fellow that pays all his small bills,
such as for juleps, cigars, and going out
| to the theatres, Ia that way, and his en-
ployer never suspected him dishonest"
''No, sir, replied Ames, 81 can't COM
| ply with your request. A dollar short in
my cash might be considered an error, and
| overlooked but there would come u set
| tlement with conscience that could not be
got over easily. My father used to say to
| me, johnny, when you grow up to be a
man, remember that honesty is the best
| policy He IS dead and gone, now, but
these words will never be forgotten. 1
know Pm working for low wages, but I
| agreed to work for what receive, and
have no right to use my employers money
on that account. No, Robert, 1 scorn and
indignation. l am poor, but thank God, 1
have never yet taken money that did not
| belong to me, and trust never shall :;
and if this is the way you seek to turn
young men from the path of rectitude, I
| desire never to meet you again."
Ames then arose, and leaving Robert
| seated, returned to the store.
| The next day Mr.. Smith called the
clerks into his private Office, and told them
| " DC oCo1Cus 14lCy SleLSu dt SaSn OlASI III
wonder, one and all expecting to be dis
charged.
''Boys," said he, II am going to retire
from business. 1 have made my fortune
here, and now propose to loan my entire
stock in trade-somc $3.50, 600 in amount
and the good will of my customers tC
such of you as 1 feel that can trust.
have my opinion on that score, Ames,
Stanton and Danforth-handing a docu'
ment to Ames is bill of sale. You
will take immediate possession, and the
payments can be made at your convenience
L have tested your honor, each of you, nc
matter how, and have no doubt that yoU
all believe that honesty is the best policy.
"Good morning, gentlemen" taking VI
his hat-''I wish you prosperity in trade. u
The firm of Ames, Stanton 81 Danfortt
is one of the wealthiest of New York
Ames IS married, lives on Fifth Avenue
and is worth half a million; and all tht
result of bis refusal to embezzle dollar o.
his employers money.-[Star Spansled
Banner.