Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-11-17

4 rpOded 10 the heed Office. A hundred
pOunds TO a rich an may seem q small
matter to worry -; but to James Hamil.
ton, whose yearly salary, aler ten years
faithful and conscientious service, did moi
amount 70 one hundred pounds, and whose
mother-saye for the help of trifing
annuity left by her husband-was in greal
measure dependent upon him-the liability
TO refund this sum weighed heavy. He
became anxious and nervous. not being
altogether certain 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 mistakes
in his cash dealings, which confirmed him
in the belief that he had paid the money
to some inscriptions rascal who did not
mean TO acknowledge il.
1t seemed an age, although in reality
barely month had passed, before note
from Mr.. TAFT, the chief inspector (Mr.
Duif's sOn-in-law) set the matter at rest.
ain consideration" the note ran, "Of the
admirable mode in which the business of
the branch at Tollkirk has hitherto been
conducted, the directors have agreed to
wipe off the deficiency in cash, which 1t
may be hoped will yet turn up and be re.
credited; but in doing so it must be firmly
kept in view that the directors by no means
establish the present case as precedent,
and must remind the gentleman who has
charge of the banks cash at Tolkirk that
at no future time will the directors be dis
! posed to relieve him of the responsibility
/ attaching TO his Office"
/ "Thcre, Jamie take that to your mother"
said Mr.. Duff, kindly, handing the official
! note TO Hamilton. ~ thought Peter would
| manage it" (referring TO his son-in-law, the
/ inspector); "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 Hamilton's
! eyes as he read the note. "That is generous
treatment, sir; | was afraid they would
roup lscll by auction] me and my old
mother out of Tollkirk."
Roup ye? | couldn't spare We, lad"
Then the youth went home to his mother
jubiant, a burden lifted from him.
But on the next evening, after business
hours, Hamilton's face was whittier than
ever. His hands were trembling as he
fumbled over his cash, and "cast" and
"re-cast " the long columns of figures in
his cash-book. 1t was market-day, busy
day, and large sums had passed into and
out of his hands. To his horror, he found
his cash three hundred pounds 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
the office on his way upstairs that some
| thing was wrong.
"You are late, Mr.. Hamilton" (Mr.
Duff never in a general way called James
| Mr. His doing so now implied misgiv.
ings.)
Yes, sir; but think won't be long,"
his lips felt parched from excitement.
Are ye ready to lock up the safe with
mc?"
! "Not quite. If you are in no hurry, sir,
| perhaps we can lock up when you come
| down."
| "Very we'll"
Mr.. Duff went up-stairs but on this oc-
casion he did not linger over his meal.
| When he came down halt 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?"
Mr. Duff asked, with just a perceptble
edge of annoyance in his tone.
mo, sir. 1differ three hundred pounds"
"Over or short?" -.....
"Short, sir!"
"Mercy on us! This will not do. You
must bestir yourself and - and find it. l
have TO go out to meeting tonight"
The banker spoke sterny.
Hamilton once more, under Mr.. Duff's
eye, nervously went over his figures and
taI - n. La n
no way be accounted for.
'tIhis 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 meet
ing 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. #.E @&
"We can't report this to the head office,
whatever happens" quoth Mr.. Duff, grimly.
| @s"Wllat as to be DONE sir?"
"Find it"
They looked blankly in each others
faces. Both men went to bed with heavy
hearts; nor did the search next day throw
l. 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 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 perhaps his trusted teller too, with lust
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 a framework of mahogany and
glass made for Hamiton'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 u week or so things worked we'll
under the new arrangements; but for the
third time Mr. Duff was destined to see
Hamilton poring over his books long after
bank hours, this time to hear on inquiry
that the lucklcss lad was short by no less
an amount than five hundred pounds! Ha,'
the shrewd, quick .witted James Hamilto.
after ten years OF faithful service, become
suddenly dolt?
"This is beyond endurance" the barker
said, sharply, as the fact was communicate
to him.
at is most strange" replied the helpless
teller, feeling that the Fates were agains
him.
at is impossible you Can have paid th'
money away"
at is gone, SIR
"Then You muSt find it, can no longer
be responsible for your blundcrs. Here i,