Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-04-18

keeping the money.
Breakfast was over, and my mother tSt
hold OF my hand and said:
''Promise me, Henry, before you go, tn
You will give up the money"
Ihesitated.
''Surely. Henry. you would not steal
''Steal? Never!!'' And / promised
once.
jackson found no time to speak to II
that morning, being engaged with NJ
Elliott; but when, in turn, entered IL
private Office, saW him cast an enquirin
glance toward me:
''This seems all right said Mr.. Elliot
after looking at my account. ''Have yo
anything clse?''
''Yes, sir; l still have ten dollars, fo
wh.,h AMI iiiiable to give any account"
''Strange! Are you sure that you hav
missed nothing:''
''Quite, sir; have been over everything
several times, and last right Mr.. jackson
was kind enouS!. to assist me.'
sits strange; but you can put the mon
ey back into the safe-I dare say it will b
found out before the next quarter is up
And, by-the-way. Watson, intend to rais
your salary. Holloway is going to leave
and wish you to take his place.
l thanked him. and heartily, too; tor :
hundred dollars year more was no small
income at our house.
'I.et me see. think. Jackson, he hat
better begin Tomorrow
''1es, sir, it will be most convenient"
- ou hear, Watson. believe there is
nothing more. Good-t,orning."
There was joy in our house that night
and on the morrow I went forth with q
light heart to take possession Of Hello-
ways stool.
And now, dear reader, just take jump
over the next three years. Jackson was
still in his place; but had risen, step by
step, until occupied post inferior only
to that held by himself. The mystery OF
my ten dollars had never been unraveled.
and they still reposed peacefully in my Safe
Jackson and got on very well together.
but there was one thing which cotild not
understand. For few nights before
quarter-day, Jackson always, under some
pretence or other, took the books home
with him; but as did not consider it my
place to interfere, I said nothing:
1t was the quarter-day at the end of TIC
three years of which have spoken, and
was assisting Mr.. Elliott in examining the
account of one Of the junior clerks, whose
ledger exhibited a glaring deficiency of one
hundred and fifty dollars. The youth was
not the brightest in the world, and for
time he seemed stunned. But he was sure
it must be some mistake Of mine; his
cash was all right three days ago; and he
took the book to see for himself. The
result was the same-de.icit. one hundred
and fifty dollars. Again he went over it,
and could see the big drops of sweat roll
down his face us he again came to the
same horrible eonclusion--deffit one hum
dred and fifty dollars. A third time he es-
sayed to reconcile the difference, but, sud-
denly stopping short, he turned to Mr..
Elliott, and cried:
''These are not my figures. s.r!''
''Then whose are theyY'
81 don't know, sir; they are not mine.
Lc ok, sir, something has been scratched
out here!'' .
''Umph! so there has. Has the ledger
ever been out of your care?''
mo, sir-that is, yes-twice.''
''When?''
''Last night and the night BEFORE"
''Who had it?''
''Mr. Jackson:"
''Then call Mr.. Jackson mp here" He
came.
'sMf. Jatkson,'' said Mr.. Elliott, ''there
S an error in Browns account something
appears to have been scratched out; and
Is understand you have had his ledger
he last two nights, Though perhaps you
could explain it,
Jackson turned deadly pale, and bending
lown to hide the ghastly hue of his coun-
enance, he pretended so examine the ffg-
lres.
''Yes. there had been an erasure;'' but
le could not explain it. He had pri-
'ate memorandum in his desk :; he would
etch it.
Ten minutes went by, but Jackson did
lot return.
'Watson," said Mr.. Elliott, twill you go
md say that shall be pleased if Mr.. Jack
op will come here immediately?'
went, but could not find him.
Osborn" asked of porter, shave
'Ou seen Mr.. Jackson?'
"Yes, sir; he went out about ten min=
ties ago."
"Went out?''
'.Yes, sir; he came down stairs 10 3kine
cry white, and, taking his hat, lie said he
elt rather unwefl, and would get little
ir.''
went back ard told Mr.. Elliott.
''Oh!' was all he uttered; and then
urning on his heel, he motioned for us to
ollow. lie first went to Osborh who re-
'eated his story over again and then he
vent to Jackson's desk, which was locked.
\ smith was sent for, and the lock was
Orced.
''Mr Watson" said Mr.. Elliott, taking
,ut Jackson's b0oks-=lle had never called |
ae MIR. Watson before-''will you come
With ME to my private room! l shall
want you for few minutes"
Those few minutes expanded into hours,
nd the discovery of embezzlemnnts by |
Jackson, to the extent of several thousand
Iollars, was the result OF our labor. These
rauds extended over several years; and
y curious coincidence, the very first Of
hem was connected with my ten dollars
he last, of course, with Browns hundred
nd fiftt
Need say that jackson Was iiever heard
f again?
That night l walked home the managing
ng clerk of the firm of Elliott & Co. ami
ever since have / forgotten the lesson I