The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-08-19
: to you, Frank but if so, you must

say to you, Frank but if so, you must
swear to be secret"
Frank was in the very state to agree to
anything, and SO readily suore eternal
secresy as to what his cousin might say,
of whatever nature the communication
might be. l shall here only state the
substance, and not the words of the con-
versation.
Robert stated that friend of his, who
had some dealings with seamen, had in
formed him of certain transactions on the
French coast, which would probably be
known in day or two in London. News
then travelled very slowly, and the man
himself did not know the value of his
communication. Robert argued that di-
rectly the matter was made public, the
funds, which were then pretty high,
would fall immensely-ten,t twenty, per
haps thirty per cent. day or two after
they would rise again, it might be even
higher than at present.
ssNow," he said, Il have had my eyes
open, and just now there is peculiar
opportunity ii two people-you and |,
for instance buy in when the
funds fell, paying down about five or six
thousand pounds, and give ii note for the
remainder, we could sell out in a few
days, aud each of US realize very hand
some fortune, and then good bye to the
drudgery of the Office forever Only,
situated as we are, we must lay down the
e5, 1000 or $4,000. Do you understand,
Frank 2"
"No," said Frank, II do not quite sec
clearly. don't doubt what you say, but
although we both have a very fair allow
ance, VIC neither of US have so much as
that. wish we had. But what do you
really mean, Robert ?"
81 mean this" answered his cousin,
holding up the key. .Do you see now p
Although he had been drinking pretty
freely, Frank did see, but he looked on
almost sturefed with the bare idea. A
long conversation then ensued, in which
both sides were argued, and Robert
statement as to the smalness of risk, aud
certainty of success, at last prevailed.
The matter was settled.
The next morning the twoyouns clerks
were at their posts as usual, only at a
rather early hour, and each Wore look
of anxiety which neither wished the 9TH
er to observed. Certainly they had a
guilty look when, the safe being ope; ed
with the two keys. Robert transferred
notes to the amount of $4,000 TO his
pocket book But the first step in the
evil way was taken, and the other steps
appeared easier, although both began tc
feel that the path of those who deviate
from the way of the strictest honesty is
not covered with roses, but with bitter
thorns. None of the other clerks noticed
that anything was at all unusual Will
either OF the cousins, except Ellwood
whose quick eye was ever upon them
but he had no idea of the cause. He saw
however, that something was amiss ant
watched them.
The business of the Office went on a
usual. About mid day the report-whicl
they hardly expected quite SO soon-ar
rived, and caused quite sensation. Al
J men were anxious. On the Stock Elk
change there was perfect panic-con
sternation everywhere. Not the leas
anxious were the cousins, as In thos,
!, days such breach of trust they con
templated was a hanging matter.
But Robert still held firmly to his frs
views; and the news that the stocks hat
fallen to an Unprecedented extent onl
assured him. At dinner time he hastenet
/ with Frank to a broker, whom boil
knew, and speedily arranged with him.
1t was rare chance for speculation
, That same day vouchers for stock to al
, enormous amount passed into the broker
hands, aud Was placed to Robert Brown
account. 1t was paid for with the none
belonging to the firm and Roberts not
of hand The cousins were excited but
, they betrayed any anxiety, every one wa
too much taken up with the importan
business of the hour to notice il, Th
2 next day no counter report had arrived
aud stocks even fell little lower
Being now fully involved, the cousin
r were almost desperate. $4,000 more wa
t now distracted and invested. 1t wa
s.neck or nothing" to them now. If the
, succeed, fortune was theirs If the
} lost, the gallows was their fate.
, Robert still argued that another repor
: must soon arrive, and all would be wei
But nothing could dispel their fears tina
some call might be made upon the oflic
: which would before then require NOR
than the small balance in their chars
t which was still left in the safe; beside
which, it was now Wednesday Afternoon
] and on Friday they always balanced ae
t counts. And even had not that been tn
e case, the date of Roberts note was fas
' running out.
? Often that afternoon did the cousin
glance with fearful thoughts at the pi;
e tolls over the safe. Ellwood saw all III
did not know what was wrong; but h
l suspected that all was not right. H
watched them, and what he did discove
we shall presently see. 1t WIS nearl
four o'c o'clock-closing time-that attel
noon. when gentleman came in with
: bill for about $4,000, and wanted
!; cashed. The cousins were in dispair. @
! the 100000 in their custody they ha
), absiracted- they said borrowed r.
e8 0J0. They had paid away for the FIR.
over 81 900. Only less than 91 900 re
Inained Their agony may be supposed
= Hardly Knowing what he did, Rohel
i read the bill over carefully, although
!. saw at once IL was good Rnf fboro m i,