The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-01-03

Business prospere6. Tony received 50
per week, the larger part, or, you might
say. The bulk of which he laid aside with
an idea to future investment and affiuence.
Yes, business prospered, iuasmuch that old
Ned was enabled to have an addition, a
low shed room, built to his storehouse.
One day about two weeks ago, Tony, re-
turning from dinner, found old Ned sitting
by the fire, brooding heavily.
Edward, why do | fluid you plunged in
this unim venerable gloom ?"
Tony" Ned answered, slowly lifting
his head, "Im no literary man like you
are, though | propose to be a gentleman,
and am a person of some learning. | m
not common negro, and | well know you
are not. We are no longer below the com
mon grade of white folks, but are climbing
toward that summit-but I'm no liteaTy
man. This is what I'm getting at; | see
by the newspapers that all the employees of
banks and mints are searched every time
they leave their places of business, not be-
cause the men are dishonest, but for the
purpose of keeping up system.
Il know that you are strictly honest, but
you have to be searched every time you
/ leave these premises. | don't believe you
( are dishonest, Tony, understand, but you Il
/ have to undergo the examination. Those
! who prosper must be systematic"
! Tony stood gazing at the fire. The fact
/ is he had been taking little bits of money
! from the store, fifty and sixty cents at a
! time, which were so insignificant in com
/ parison with his salary that he saw no
wrong in the transaction.
Looking up quickly, he remarked
! Edward, after due reflection | have con>
sented to undergo the intlictiOn. For the
! interest | have in your store, and the hope
| of one day seeing you elected magistrate,
! and for the consideration that | may one
day take brother Whites place, | agree.
The transaction did nor interfere with
time, but allowed it to pass OIL as usual
before leaving the store, even for mo-
! ment, Tony was searched, and at night the
. search was made additionally rigid, al
which time Tony was stripped Of his clothes
| and examined The minute and hour
hands Of watches and clocks kept on going
round as evidence that time was passing
| Old Tony came regularly to his work
bringing with him his pet 'possum. Not
withstanding the careful daily search, OLE
Ned missed his money, in large sums, two
and three dollars at time. lie suspected
Tony, yet he didn't see how the old maj
managed it. The searching grew NOR,
rigid and was carried to such an extent
that Tony was compelled to stand on Iii
head every time before leaving the house
Yesterday the affair came TO head.
After Tony had been searched prepare
tory to leaving for home, lie called his pos
sum, but the animal didn't come, but sa
on the floor lie called her again. but tn,
animal only made a struggle. Advancin!
and picking her up, he was about to leave
when old Ned asked
look here WHATS that about the pos
sum that rattles 50 ~
q suppose it's her teeth"
''IIOld on there. Wait, | tell you"
Old Ned took hold of the animal turnet
ner over, and bali hatful Of nickles pile
out on tEe floor, Old Tony had stuffed he
'pOckeI' fun, by which means he ha
daily robbed his employer, and thougI
+ Tony protested hat the 'poSsum must hay
{ put the money there herself, old Ned ha
I him arrested. This story has no moral
2 neither had the characters.-ArtdHSdS Ga
zeffe