Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-03-23

Up q rs t uvw WAY z& ss.
On what slight incidents are
great events based! / careiessly
put the piece of paper into my
pocket, where it lay for months,
forgotten by myself, to be brought
forth at last as the instrument
wherewith two villains were
brought to justice, and as the
means by which l was saved the
loss of a large sum of money.
One day, alter the banks had
closed, Twas paid the sum of three
thousand dollars which l placed
within a drawer in my small Of
fee safe, intending it should re-
main there over night, and the
next day I'wouldput it on deposit.
Gamnett Tiny new clerk was
present and appeared very obser-
want of what | was doing-fol,
lowing my every motion with an
eager, nervous, excited glance,
which, although it attracted my
attention at the time, did not i'm
press me as matter ofimportance,
and was soon out of my mind
though Fafterward | had cause to
remember it very distinctly
I.'Gamnett," said |, as l swung
too the. safe door, locked it care
fully, and put the key in my pock-
ct. (By the way | may as well
state here that | was the only one
who had a key.) "Gamnett, you
know, Of course, about the money,
and to insure its safety l wish you
would do me favor"
Il am ready to oblige at any
moment-the present hone the
less,g said he.
"Well, then," said /, 81 would
like to have you sleep in the Of
ice all night, and guard against
burglars. You can sleep on the
couch, and keep the fire burning
so you will be warm and comfort
able. Z You may take my revolver
and everything will be all right
Ofceurse Ishall pay you extra for
the trouble"
'1t viii be a happiness TO DO
so," said Gamnett, somewha! ca
gerly. / afterwards thought, 81
care not for extra pay"
81 am sorry to have to cause
you SO much trouble and incon-
venience," said |, grati6ed at the
readinesswith which he acquiesced,
sand / hope it will not often &C.
cur. By the way, Gamnett," I
added, putting on my overcoat,
81 shall not be back at the office
tonight, for / am going to the city
on the fiveo'cIock train. You and
Wilson see to things while | am
gone-though l shall probably re-
turn aomorrow. Good night"
a.nGoodnight Mr.. Parker. You
cap depend upon my faithfully car
rying out your directions"
The unusual cordiality with
which he spoke, combined with
the fact that he made use of my
name for the first time of my re-
membrance, occasioned me some
surprise; however, soon left him
at the desk, and, wrapping my
overcoat closely around me, went
out into the cold wintry air, and
wended my way homeWard.
After partaking of a hearty meal
l proceeded to the depot, and took
the five o clock train for the city,
at which arrived two hours later.
In my younger days had been
employed in a telegl laph Office,
and bad become a competent oper-
ator, though for various reasons
| did moi, like the business, and,
after having worked at it for
few years, resigned my position I o
engage in something more eongen-
ial to my taste. Among the many
acquaintance l had formed at
that time was that of a young
fellow by the name Of Taylor,
who was also ali operator, and, at
the time of which | write, was
employed by the telegraph COM
pany in their downtown office,
where for old acquaintance sake,
I called without delay and found
him seated by his Instrument en-
gagged in the perusal of the even
ing papers, with his feet comfort
ably resting on the top of an ad
joining chair.
"Taylor," said |, advancing to.
ward him, show are you ?"
j"Halloo, Parker, is that your
he exclaimed, rising from his seat.
.Give US your fin, old fellow, and
how goes it?"
lkaFirst rate" replied shaking
hands "you still keep at the old
trade, 1 see."
eyes, and probably always
shall. Here is the paper; sit
down and be comfortable. I've
got to receive this message that's
Ss'TEg it1, -ss.a -