The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-24

| rived and the cash na0 again 10 O0
counted. the balance still showed one
hundred pounds short. If the money
had been paid away, in error. no man
had been honest enough to return it.
Then for the first time in the history of
the Tollkirk branch, deficiency in the
cash had to be reported to the head
office. A hundred pounds to q rich
man may seem small matter to worry
over; but to James Hamilton, whose
yearly salary, after ten years faithful
and conscientious service, did not
amount to one hundred pounds, and
whose mother-save for the help of a
triling annuity left by her husband
was in great measure dependent upon
him-the liability to refund this sum
weighed heavy. He became anxious
and nervous, not being altogether GER
tain that the authorities of the bank
might not suspect him of having ap-
propriated the money; and from very
nervousness was guilty during the next
few days of making several small mis-
takes in his cash dealings, which con-
firmed him in the belief that he had
paid the money to some Inscriptions
rascal who did not mean to acknowl-
edge it.
1t seemed an age, although IN reality
barely q month had passed. before a
note from MIR. TAFT, the chief inspector
(Mr. Duff's son-in law, set the matter
at rest. sin consideration" the note
ran, '.of the admirable mode in which
the business of the branch at T0llkirk
has hitherto been conducted, the direc-
tors have agreed to wipe off the defici-
ency in cash, which it may be hoped
will yet turn up and be recredited; but
in doing so it must be firmly kept in
view that the directors by no means
establish the present case as prece-
dent, and must remind the gentleman
who has charge of the banks cash at
rollkirk that at no future time will the
directors be disposed to relieve him of
the responsibility attached to his
office"
"There, Jamie; take that to your
mother" said Mr.. Duff. kindly, hand
| ing the official note to Hamilton. IL
thought Peter would manage it, IRE
ferring to his son-in-law, the in
spector); ''but we maun ca canny,"
said the banker, relapsing into broad
Scotch, to put the reproof, if such it
might be called, in the gentlest form,
to spare the lads feelings.
There were tears of relief in Hamil-
tons eyes as he read the note. THAT
is generous treatment, sir; l was afraid
they would roup [sell by auction1 me
and my old mother out of Tollkirk."
Group ye? l couldn't spare ye, lad"
Then the youth went home to his
mother. jubilant, a burden lifted from
him.
But on the next evening. after bust
ness hours, Hamilton's face was whittier
than ever. His hands were trembling
as he fumbled over his cash, and .'cast"
and ''recast'' the long columns of
figures in his cash book. It was market
day, busy day, and large sums had
passed into and out of his hands. To
his horror he found his cash f3OO
short! He had not the courage on this
occasion to go to Mr.. Duff's room with
his plant. But the banker saw at once,
as he passed through his office on his
way up stairs, that something was
wrong.
"You are late, Mr.. Hamilton. (Mr.
Duff never in a general way called
James "Mr." His doing so now inn
Eyes, sir; but l think l won't be
long" His lips felt parched from ex-
element.
will; nA ms ys ready to lock up the safe
"Not quite. If you are in no hurry,
sir. perhaps we can lock up when you
come down."
Every well.'
Mr.. Duff went up stairs; but on this
occasion he did not linger over his
meal. When he came down, half an
hour later, Hamilton was not ready to
lock the safe. He was sitting looking
into space, his head resting on his
hands.
"Havc you balanced your cash
now?' Mr.. Duff asked, with just a per-
ceptible edge of annoy ance in his tone.
"No, sir. l differ three hundred
pounds"
"Over or short?''
"Short, STRIP
"Mercy on us! This will not do.
You must bestir yourself and-and find
it. have to 90 out to q meeting to-
night" The banker spoke sternly.
Hamilton once more, under MIR.
figures and counted his cash. The de-
ficiency could in no way be accounted
for.
"This is terribly awkward. James,"
There were tears in the youths voice
as he uttered: 'Yes, sir; and it will
drive me mad"
When Mr.. Duff returned from his
meeting at eleven o'clock. Hamilton
was as far from peace as ever. The
younger clerks had gone away. Again
the banker and Hamilton went over
each item together-in vain.
"We can't report this to the head
Office, whatever happens" quoth MIR.
"What is to be done, STRIP
"Find itr'
They looked blankly in each others
faces. Both men went to bed with
heavy hearts; nor did the search next
day throw any light on the mysterious
transaction. Mr.. Duff could not bring
himself to report this second deficiency
to his head Office; and the only alterna-
tive left was to refund the amount from
his own private means. This, as may
be imagined, he did very reluctantly:
and for the first time in his experience
he watched the younger men, and per-
haps his trusted teller, too, with Just a
faint and irrepressible glimmering of
suspicion. A mistake of this sort
might happen once; but to happen
second time, at so short an interval,
made him uneasy on other matters than
mere loss of money. He had frame
work Of mahogany and glass made for
Hamilton's desk, SO that no one could
come near the cash in future but HAM
ilton himself. And so, with what grace
he could summon, and with many
grave warnings. Mr.. Duff paid the
"short" money, having, as he said, to
"grin and bear it."
For week or so things worked well
under the new arrangements; but for
the third time Mr.. Duff was destined to
see Hamilton porting over his books
long after bank hours, this time to hear
on inquiry that the luckless lad was
short hv M 0oao an 0mnunk than g .,o