Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-04-18
Our Selected StOz'y.
That Ten Dollars.

1t was odd, very odd +; reckon it up this
way or t'lat way, or in whatever way
might. the result was just the same-I had
ten dollars more than | could account for
l went over the whole Quarters receipts
again, to see if something had not been
omitted; but everything was quite right
Ila! what's this? 1t looks like scratch
ing out, and yet it can't be, for never Use
a pen-knite. So held the leaf up to the
light, and scanned it closely, and then
turning it over, scrlltinized it again. ''lt
certainly does look very much like an
erasure; but no, it's only Il little roughness
on the surface OF the paper" l was CON-
pletcly 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." said to myself, ''it's better, at
any rate, than having ten dollars too lit
tle." Still the idea of there being mis-
take somewhere made me feel uncOmft rta-
bic.
Ihad been busy preparing my accounts
in order to present them to my employers
in the morning. for the morrow was quar-
ter day. and l knew that in nothing could
clerk offend so much as by being wrong
in his balance. So l Thoughts little, and
then determined to consult jackson, our
managing clerk. | was young at that time
not more than twenty-and having been
in the establishment only few months, l
knew but little of his character. He was
exceedingly attentive to business: but
there were some vague floating runiors go
ing the rounds of the place, which ac-
credited him with anything but steady
life. But he had always been very civil.
and even kind to me and SO, in my dilem-
ma. sought hts advice. He went over
my accounts with me, but could detect no.
thing wrong.
"Well. Watson" he said, 'svou are on
the right side now, and ii you take my ad-
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"
Twas again about to make my objection
to this mode of procedure, when | was
cut short by a salesman, who came to say
that MIR. Jackson was wanted in the sale
room. AS he strobe away, Jackson turn
ed around and said:
I'm see you about that again, Watson.
In the meantime, do not mention it to any
One.'
saw him no more till my labors were
done for the day, and was taking my hat
down from its peg, when he tapped me on
the shoulder.
Lone word, Watson, before YOU go; il
ever it should be found out where the mis-
take lies, will make it all right for you.
Goodnight"
That night the ten dollars were ever be-
fore me: The last thing remember, be-
fore falling asleep, was thinking Of the ten
dollars; l slept and dreamed df ten dol
lars.
In the morning, whilst; at breakfast, l
laid the whole affair before my mother and
asked her counsel'
s'Giye up the money, of course" she
said. ~
'.But, you see; mother. ] am afraid it
would offend jackson; he SEEMS SO much
to wish me to hush it up.'' as5,
~Neyer mind Jackson; do what Is right,
and ann sure it will be better for you in
the end. Tell MIR. Elliott - the head
partner-show it is, and am certain he
won't be angry