Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-28

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barely a month had passed, before note
from MIR. TAFT hechiefinspector Air. Duif's
son-in-iawl, set the matter at rest. 6 In
consideration, the note ran, ''of the ad-
mirable mode in which the business of the
branch at Toilkirk has hitherto been con-
Quoted, the directors have agreed to wipe
off the deficiency 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 es-
| taolish the present case as a precedent, and
| must remind the gentleman who has charge
| of the banks cash at Tolilirk that at no
| future time will the directors be disposed
to relieve him of the responsibility attach
ing to his office"
"There, Jamie, take that to your meth
er," said Mr. Duff, kindly, handing the Of
fetal note to Hamilton. - thought Peter
would manage it, - referring to his son-in-
law, the Inspector but we mann ca
eanny," said the banker, relapsing into
broad Scotch, TO put the reproof, if such it
might be called, in the gentle form, to
spare the lad feelings
There were tears OF relief in Hamilton's
eyes as he read the note. THAT is gener-
Gus treatment, sir; was afraid they would
er out of Tollkirk
Group ye? couldn't spare ye, lad
Then the youth went home to hi mother
| iubilant, burden lifted from his mind.
| But on the next evening, after business
hours, Hamilton's face was winter than
ever. His hands were trembling as he
fumbled over the cash, and :" cast and
&c recast the long columns of figures in
| L II L.,
day, and large sums had passed into and
out of his hands. To his horror, he found
his casi three hundred pounds short He
had not the courage on this occasion to go
Fto Mr.. Duff7s room with his plant. But the
banker saw at once as he passed through
the office on his way upstairs that some
thing was wrong
g You are late, Mr.. Hamilton" Mr..
| Duff never In general way called James
g Mr." His doing so now implied misgiv
ings.
. Yes, sir but l think I won't be long"
His lips felt parched from excitement.
''Are you ready to lock- up the safe
with me %
"Not quite If you are in no hurry,
sir, perhaps we can lock up when you come
down"
every we'll
Mr.. Duff went up stairs but on this oc-
casion 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.
{" Have you balanced your cash now p
Mr.. Daft asked with just perceptiole
edge of annoyance in his tone.
mo, sir. 1 differ three hundred
pounds"
''Over or short p
''Short, sir.
"Mercy on us This viii not do: You
must bestir yourself and-and find it. l
have to 90 out to meeting tonight. The
banker spoke sternly.
Hamilton once more, under MIR. Dnfi's
eye, nervously went over his figures and
counted his cash. The deficiency could in
no way be accounted for.
"Tnis is terrible awkward, James
There were tears in the Youths eyes
as he uttered. "Yes, sir; and 1t will
drive me mad"
When Mr.. Duff returned from his meet
ing at / o'clock Hamilton was as far from
peace as ever. The younger clerks had
gone away. Again the banker and Halnil-
ton went over each item together-in vain:
"We can't report this to the head Office,
whatever happens, quoth Mr.. Dntf grlmly
what is to be done, sir z
"Find it!'
They looked blanklyin 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 alternative lett was to refund the
amount from his own private means. This,
as may be imagined, he did very reluc-
family; and for the first time in his expe-
rience he watched the younger men, and
perhaps his trusted teller, too, with Just
faint and irrepressible glimmering of snspi-
cion. 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 framework of mahogany and glass
made for Hamilton's desk, so that no one
could come near the cash in future but
Hamilton 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 arrangement 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 by no less
an amount than FIVE hundred pounds
Had the shrewd, quick-witted James Ham
| ilton. after ten years of faithful service,
become suddenly dot?
'sThis is beyond endurance, the banker
said sharply, as the fact was communicated
| to him.
at is most strange, replied the help
less teller, feeling that the fates were
against him.
cit is impossible you can have paid the
money away,
{" 1t s,gone, sir.
"Then you must find it. can no longer
be responsible for your blunders. Here IS
no less sum than nine hundred pounds in
| less than SIX weeks to be accounted for.
Many one has been sent across the sea
for less.
The youth put his hands over his face
and fairly burst into tears. g must give
it up, sir. | can't stand this. l must
leave the place.
MI. OuU was lOUlNiiig az HIN VIII ~
keen eyes as this was sobbed out. Leave
Tollkirk Understand, Mr.. Hamilton, that
you dare not leave Tollkirk before this
matter is cleared up"
For the greater part of the night the
men sat up searching but when the morn
ing came they were as far from the mark
as ever.
Mr.. Duff. much to the surprise of Gus
4 ii, (. 4,.si- y
the cash himself, and, rather awkwardly
from want of practice, became his own
cashier. Hamilton was degraded to subor-
dinate duties. His spirit, poor fellow, was
fairly broken No trace of the missing
money could be found. OF course Mr..
Duff could not long continue acting as
teller The work interfered with even
more important duties.
A son of Mr. Trail, the parish minister,
who was employed at the Aberdeen branch
Of the same bank, at this time visited Toll