The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-09-20

James Mr. His doing so now implied
misgivings.
Yes, sir; but / think I won't be
long," his lips felt parched from excite
ment
Are ye 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.
"Very we'll"
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 bead resting on his hands.
Have you balanced your cash nowY p,
Mr.. Duff asked, with just perceptible
edge of annoyance in his tone.
"No, sir, ! 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 go out to a meeting to-
night" The banker spoke sternly.
Hamilton once more under Mr.. DuT's
eye, nervously went over his figures
and counted his cash. The deficiency
could in no way be accounted for.
"This is terribly awkward, James"
There were tears in the youths voice
as he uttered &C Yes, sir; and 1t will
drive me mad"
When Mr. Duff returned from his
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.
1--WE can't report this to the head
Office, whatever happens" quoth Mr..
Duff, grimly.
"What is 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 any light on the mysterious
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 perhaps
his trusted teller too, with just faint
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 framework of mahogany and
glass made for Hamilton's desk, so that
no one could come near the cash in fu-
ture 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 we'll
under the new arrangement but for
the third time Mr.. Duff was destined to
see Hamilton poring over his books
long after bank hours, but this time to
hear that the luckless lad was short by
no less than five hundred pounds Had
the shrewd, quick-witted James Hamil-
ton after ten years of faithful service be-
come suddenly dolt 2"
"This is beyond endurance" the
banker said, sharply, as the fact was
communicated to him.
g" 1t is most strange" replied the help
less teller, feeling that the Fates were
against him.
6 1t is impossible you can have paid
the money away"
" 1t is gone, SIR"
"Then you must find it. / can no
longer be responsible for your blunders.
Here is no less a sum than nine hundred
pounds in less than six weeks to be ac-
counted for. Many one has been sent
across the sea for less"
The youth put his hands over his face
and fairly burst into tears. 81 must
give it up, sir. can't stand this. 1
must leave this place."
Mr.. Duff was looking at him with
very keen eyes as this was sobbed OUT
6 Leave Tollkirk Understand, Mr..
Hamilton, that you dare not leave Toll
kirk before this matter is cleared up"
For the greater part of the night the
men sat up searching; but when the