The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-04-14
N IMPORTANT WITNESS.

/ den coming of the crack of doom. The crack
of doom it was, indeed, to many whose all
was swept away by the calamity.
It was DIessrs. Fairmouth and Finback TO
whom the neighboring farmers had all sold
their crops, leaving the money in their hands
/ till such time as it should be needed; and
there being 20 savings bank OF like institu-
ton in the place, it was with them that such
moderate sums as the most frugal individuals
of the poorer class were able 70 economic
from their daily needs were wont to be de-
posted
Ithad been season Of unusual abundance.
/ Falmouth and Fmback could hardly find
storage forthe stream Of produce that flowed
in upon them; but they managed to do so
until such time as they got it to market.
/ They paid, or rather promised to pay, good
! prices but they had also realized q tair pro-
fit and had many thousands Of dollars in
their hands waiting the call of their custom
ers.
The partners used to take turns sleeping
| in the store, where they kept their money in
a big iron safe to which each carried a key.
One day while Mr.. Falmouth was in sole
charge, his associate having been called away
! temporarily on an affair of business, mes
/ sage came which made it necessary for the
! former to be absent over night.
! Of course it would be imprudent to leave
! the store alone; so Mr.. Falmouth spoke to
Nathan Aiming a young man formerly in
/ the firms employ, who had recently married
and turned farmer Chaying bought small
| piece Of land, mostly on credit) to remain in
the store until his return, promising to remu-
nerate him for the service.
Aiming consented readily; the more so as
/ he knew his wife, Fanny, was q sensible lit
tie body, not bit afraid of being left alone;
and having his farm to pay for, l. stood him
in hand to lose no opportunity Of gaining q
| trife, however small.
"And here" said Mr.. Falmouth, as he
was about leaving Aiming in charge-the
latter having sent Fanny word not TO expect
him home-''is the key of the safe Should
! any customers call, you know our price marks
and can accommodate them; and if Farmer
/ Swithers comes for any money let him have
| it. His balance is rising four hundred dollars,
and you know the secret drawer in which the
/ cash is kept"
/ It was near closing time when Mr.. Fair
mouth weutaWay, ard though few lOungers
( dropped in afterward none of them bought
anything; and at the usual hour, Aiming as
! he afterwaTd averred closed and bolted the
/ shutters, and locked and barred the back
I doors, after which, in due time, he went to
sleep on a cot in a small room at the rear.
About ten O'Clock the next morning MI.
. Falmouth returned, finding the store open
as usual, and Aiming at his post as he had
/ left him
'I haven't done much business in your ab-
/ sence'' said the latter 81 made no sales
last evening and only few small ones this
morning. You'll find memorandum of
them, with the money received, in the till
/ and here's the key of the safe; had no oc-
casion to open it, as Mr.. SwitheIs did notcal
foI any money"
land now what shall I pay you for your
trouble 20 Mr.. Falmouth inquired
ooh I don't know-wOuld a couple Of
dollars be right?"
''Let US say five" returned the merchant.
''It is not the mere trouble you were put to
that's to be considered, but the responsibility
Of being left in such a charge. 1 tell yOu it
is not every one whom l would intrust with
our all. Why, if that SAFE for instance,
should be robbed, it would not only ruin Us,
but half the people in GTlenvile -
Mr. FairmOutb was about taking out his
pucZet-bOok to hand over the FIVE, but Ma
than told him to add it TO his deposit where If
would be much safer than in his own pocket.
few hours later all GlenVilie was in
commoti0n Shortly after Nathan's dep art
ure from the store, 8Ir. Falmouth had occa-
sion to open the safe, which be found locked
as usual. and almost tainted at the astound-
ing discovery that the secret money drawer
had been rified Of every dollar it contained.
As soon as he was able he gave tie alarm
and TO those who came aocIing in he reveal
ed the dreadful calamity just come to light,
with the circumstances Of Awnings having
been left in charge the previous night.
'Of course twas him as done if, was the
Immediately expressed opinion of Harry
Bloke, who had once by his own account,
been New York detective of considerable.
''Credit and renown.''
q can hardly believe Aiming would do
such thing" said Mr.. Fairmouth-"be was
with us long time, and we always found
him trustworthy"
BLESS your innocent soul!' replied BIoloe
"them's jest the sort as alters does sich tricks.
Corse1 why it's them as gifts trusted. and
consekently gifts chances. Why, when [ was
onto the force in NGo York, twas invariably
among the Sunday school teachers and class
leaders we looked fust in sich cases"
But Aiming always appeared to be ex.
ceptionally honest,' persisted Mr.. Fair
mOdth.
"All the more reason for snspectin, of
him. returned the other. Appearances is
allus deceptiCns. But iist answer me one
thing, If you please-if 'twarn't him as done
it 5cbO did7''
Sure enough 2" chOrused a number of
veices. ''If ne didn't, who did?''
The logic Of this argument was unauswer.
able-almOst as much so as that of the man
who insisted that he must be able to write
poetry because he couldn't write prose. Mr..
Falmouth had nothing to reply, but insisted
that Aiming should be sent for and given a
hearing before any decided steps should be
taken.
IF you'll take my advice" urged the zeal
Gus Bloke, ''youm swear out a warrant aoin
him at wunst. Ten to one it's too late al
ready"
But Mr.. Falmouth insisted upon first send.
ing for Nathan to come to the store. He
might be able to exculpate himseIf-st anv
rate, he should have chance to do SO.
Aiming, whom the messenger found oniet-
~ at home, came without objection. He was
simply Informed that Mr.. Falmouth wished
to see him on special business and if he had