Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-18


1t was odd, very odd; reckon it up this
way or that way, or in whatever way |
might, the result was just the same-l had
ten dollars more than | could account lor.
| went over the whole quarters receipts
again, to see if something had not been
omitted, but everything was quite right
" Tia what's this? 1t looks like scratch
ing out, and yet it can't be, for | never
use pen knife" So held the leaf up
to the light, and scanned it closely, and
then, turning it over, scrutinized it again
- 1t certainly does look very much like an
erasurc; but no, lis only little roug ghness
on the surface of the paper" was COM
plctely puzzled. 1t was quite possible for
me to have too little; but to have ten dol
lars too much-I could not understand that
at all. Well" l said 10 myself, it's
better, at any rate, than having ten dollars
too little" Still, the idea of there being
Il mistake somewhere made me feel very
uncomfortable.
had been busy preparing my accounts
in order to present them to my employers
in the morning, for the morrow was a
quarter day, and | knew that in nothing
could Il clerk offend so much rs by being
wrong in his balance. So | thought lit
tie, and then determined to consult Jack
son, our managing clerk. | was young
ut the time, not more than twenty; md
having been in the establishment only u
few months knew but little oil his char
acter He was exceedingly attentive to
business; but there were some vague float
ing rumors going the round Of the place,
I viii, h accredited him with anything but
II steady life But he had always been
very civil, and even kind to me; and SO, in
my dilemma, | sought his advice. He
went over my accounts with me, but could
detect nothing wrong.
"Well, Watson,' he said, you are on
the right side now, and if you take my adj
vice, You will keep there. Just pocket the
money and say nothing about it,"
Seeing that demurred, he continued
"Of course you can do as you please
but know this much, if you were that
ten dollars short, you would have to MAKE
it up in quick time"
| was about to make my objection tc
this mode Of procedure, when | was cul
short by salesman, who came 10 say thai
Mr.. Jackson was wanted in the sale room
As he strobe away, jackson turned rount
and sad,-
"Tll see you about it again, Watson; il
the meantime, you need not mention 1t tt
any one
saw no more of him till my labor:
were done for the day, and was reachin;
my hat down from its peg, when he tappe'
me over the shoulder.
lone word, Watson, before you go;
ever it should be found out where the m S
take lies, | will make it all right for you
; Good night
That night the ten dollars were eve
. before me The last thing l remember
before falling asleep. was thinking OF til
S ten dollars; slept, and dreamed Of &c
| dollars. In the morning, whilst at break
= last, | laid the whole affair before m
: mother, and asked her counsel.
, "Give up the money, OF course"
but you see, mother, | am afraid
a would offend Jackson, he seems SO niue
l. to wish me to hush it up"
Never mind Jnckson do what is rigl
and am sure it will be- better for you
the end. Tell Mr. Elliot "-the hea
partner" how it is, and am certain /
S won't be angry"
! ate the remainder OF my meal in S
S lence; for, whilst did not wish to max
u an enemy of Jackson, who could, if
= pleased, make my situation very unplea
- ant, | had strong compunctions abo
is keeping the money. Breakfast was owe
:, and, rs | WAS leaving home, my moth'
Z, took hold of my hand and said,-
5 "Promise me. Henry, before you 9
i that you will give up the money"
hesitated.
N "Surely, Henry, you would not steal
d "StealP Never y And promised
If once.
a Jackson found no time to speak to n
st that morning, being engaged with NJ
lie Elliot; but when, in turn. | entered t
ID private Office, saw him cast an inquiril
i'd glance towards me.
le This seems all right, Watson 81
h. Mr.. Elliot after looking over my accour
It., ''Have you anything elseP"
I'd "Yes, sir; have still ten dollars,
" which am unable TO give amy account. :
er "Strange! Are you sure that yOn ha
ce missed nothing?'
g Quite, sir; have been over everythi
II several times, and last night Mr. Jacks
he was kind enough to assist me-"
ell Its strange; but you can put
he money back into your safe. | dare say
in will be found ont before the next quart
Us is up. And by the by, Watson, | intend
to raise your salary. Holloway i, going
lis leave, and wish you to take his place.
de | thanked him, and heartily, too; fol
,le hundred dollars II year was no small
in crease at our house.
'e- {" Let me see. think, jackson, he h
ST. better begin tomorrow"
ng " Yes, sir; it will be most convenien
You hear, Watson. believe ther
s." nothing more. Good morning
)st There was joy in our house that mig
ny and on the morrow | went forth will
lts light heart to take possession of lIolowa
IN stool.
ri And now. dear reader, just take II jul
is over the next three years. jackson y
RS, still in his place; but | had risen step
in. step, until occupied IL post inferior OF
ta to that held by himself. Tho mystery
III tacncd 10 my lcn uolIitIS llad never DN
me unravelled, and they still reposed pei,
en- fully in my safe. Jackson and got
ht; very well together; but there was oneth
or which | could not understand. For IL
nc nights before quarter.day, jackson alw
but under some pretence or other, took
in books home with him; butas | did
oi- consider it my place To Interfere, S
uc- nothing.
ith 1t was the quarter day at the end of
ely three years of which have spoken, M
ur- was assisting Mr.. Elliot in examining
hat account of Que Of the junior clerks VIII
in ledger exhibited glaring d.ticieue.
the one hundred and fifty dollars. The yo
lar was not the brightest in the world,
for time he seemed stunned. But he