Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-21
A Useful Possum.

y
this city. He stole three bales of cotton
from his former master at the close of
the war, disposed of them advanta.
geously, moved to Little Rock and be-
gan business. Associated with Ned, in
the capacity of clerk, was an old negro
named Tony. Tony had been faith
full slave previous to the war, and when
the rebellion came on, and he found
himself without master, he occupied
the position of preacher for small
congregation, and remained in that ca
pacity till his honesty attracted the at
tention of old Ned, who offered him a
clerkship, which Tony thankfully ac-
cepted and became man of merchan-
disc, instead of an agent of Paradise.
Business prospered. Tony received
SO per week, the larger part, or, you
might say, the bulk of which, he laid
aside with an idea to future investment
and affluence. Yes, business prospered
insomuch that old Ned was enabled to
have an addition, a low shed-room,
built to his storehouse.
One day, about two weeks ago, Tony,
returning from dinner, found old Ned
sitting by the fire brooding heavily.
Edward, why do l find you plunged
in this unimpenetrable gloom?"
Tony" Ned answered, slowly lift
| ing his head, " I'm no literary man like
you are, though propose to be gen
tleman, and am person of some learn
ing. I'm not a common negro and
well know you are not. We are no
longer below the common grade of
white folks, but are climbing toward
that summit--but I'm no literary man.
This is what Pm getting at: l see by
the newspapers that all the employees
of banks and mints are searched every
time they leave their places of business,
not because the men are dishonest but
for the purpose of keeping up system.
81 know that you are strictly honest,
but you'll have to be searched every
time you leave these premises. don't
| believe that you are dishonest, Tony,
understand, but you'll 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 time, which were so insigniti,
cant in comparison with his salary that
he saw no wrong in the transaction.
Looking up quickly, he remarked
Edward, after due reflection l have
consented to undergo the infliction
For the interest have in your store
and the hope of one day seeing you
elected magistrate, and for the cOnsid
Grafton that may one day take brother
Whites place, l agree"
The transaction did not interfere with
time, but allowed it to pass on as usual
Before leaving the store, even for 6
moment, Tony was searched, and a
night the search was made additionally
rigid, at which time Tony was stripped
of his clothes and examined. The min
ute and hour hands of watches anC
clocks kept on going round as evidence
that time was passing. Old Tony came
regularly to his work, bringing with
him his pet 'possum. Notwithstanding
the careful daily search, old Ned missed
his money, in large sums, 81 and 50 a
time. He suspected Tony, yet h,
didn't see how the old man managed it
The search grew more rigid, and wa
carried to such an extent that Tony wa
compelled to stand on his head every
time before leaving the house. Yester
day the affair came to a head.
After Tony had been searched pre-
paratory to leaving for home, he calleC
his 'possum but the animal didn't come
but sat on the floor. He called hel
again but the animal only made {
struggle. Advancing and picking he
up he was about to leave, when old Nee
asked:
"Look here; what's that about the
'possum that rattles soph
Il suppose it's her teeth"
"Hold on there. Wait. / tell you.
Old Ned took hold of the animal
turned her over, and half hatful o
nickles piled ont on the floor. OLE
Tony had stuffed her "pocket" full
by which means he had daily rObbe'
his employer, and, though Tony pro
tests that the 'possum must have pu
the money there herself, yet old Ne,
had him arrested. This story has n,
moral, neither had the characters. =
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