Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-11-28

All this sort Of thing consumed money,
and no small amount either, Whenever
went to the theatre Baker was there
in private box, with ladies, and he
frequently came out Of some large store
on Canal street with large parcels.
One day-it was the first of the
month"; went into his Office to receive
my salary, and, while there, some one
called him; he stepped out to see who
it was. / glanced at an entry he had
justmade: "Thomas Baker, one months
salary, $125."
Gle can't live on that, with the way
in which he spends money!" | said, to
myself. "He must have a private in
come"
never gave the subject any further
thought after that day, but went to
learn bookkeeping, | applied myself
to it diligently, and at the end Of six
months | could manage set Of books
as readily as a competent bookkeeper.
| plodded faithfully along in my posi-
ton, hoping that some day or other |
should become q bookkeeper.
One day Mr. Everett, Of the firm of
Everett & Co., stood near my desk,
talking to Mr.. Dobson. l overheard,
unintentionally, portion of the con-
versation.
"NIr. Dobson, what do you pay your
bookkeeper"
Fifteen hundred a year"
Has he power CT attorney?'
"Ics he signs our checks, and has
complete charge of our finances. Why
do you ask 2"
because ! thought his salary was
very large, judging from the way he is
spending money. | think he spends a
great deal more than you give him.
Take my advice Mr., Dobson, and cx-
anime you books
The rest / did not hear, as | was
called to another part of the store.
About week after this conversation
recorded above, Mr. Dobson came to
my desk and said:
"Wilder, are you able to run over
accounts and papers?"
"Perfectly, sir; and also understand
bookkeeping" | replied, thinking that
| was about to he elevated, and wishing
to let him know what | knew.
"Well, am very glad come down
here after dinner, this evening, want
you for something
got to the store that evening very
early, not giving myself much time to
eat dinner | found Mr.. Dobson there
before me.
want to make an examination Of
Mr. Bakers books am not acquaint-
ed with bookkeeping. watched you,
and found you to be very energetic,
and saw Mr.. Baker often calling upon
you for assistance. A friend of mine
hls convinced me that l should keep
track of my own business. Baker is
in the Office now. He came in here
Just as | was turning the corner. | do
not know what brings him back. Now
I wish to see what he is doing. | will
open the door softly, and we will 90
back and listen"
We entered noiseessly. All was
dark and gloomy, save a single gas-light
| in the bookkeeper's office. We ap-
preached the Office; the door was part
ly open, and we heard the following
conversation
81 must have the money, Baker; you
promised it to me the first If it is not
paid, | will see the firm. :"
Cant you wait till the first Of next
month ?"
"No, | will not
"Well, | will give you the money
here's a check for four hundred dollars.
Here-receipt the bill, and make your
self scarce.
The man went out, followed by Bak
er, who unlocked apd locked the doors.
He returned again to the office, lit an
ether burner, and wrote for some min
utes. He soon got through, thurst
paper in spindle, and put the books in
the safe, slamming it with deatening
noise.
81 am through with him, anyhow
must figure sharp; too many Of these
things on file"
We heard him say these words to
himself. In another minute the gas
was turned off, and he went out.
We waited a few moments, to make
sure that he would not return, then en-
tered the Office, lit the gas, and were
soon ready for work. Mr.. Dobson had
duplicate keys of the safe, so he soon
had the books out. | suggested to him
to check the bills with the check-book.
He opened the book, and glancing at
the stubs, said:
"What does this mean! Here's
stub for four hundred dollars-just the
check he gave that man, and charged
Stephens & Co. the same amount
their bill for fifty barrels Of flour. This
is impossible; | haven't bought bar
rel of flour from them this month, and
| am certain Mr.. Morrissey has not.
/ had been looking for the bill-book,
and, having found it, my hand touched
bill of flour from Stephens & Co.,
dated the first of the month.
"Here's the bill,' Isaid, "regularly
receipted.'
'Let us see if there are any more Of
them" said Mr.. Dobson.
We soon discovered several bills of
that firm, and entries in the check-book
to correspond.