The Russellville Democrat., 1883-10-25
YARMOUTH & FINBACK.


a firm of merchants--the only ones in
the little backwoods town of Glenville-
startled and surprised the inhabitants as
might the sudden coming of the crack OF
doom. The crack of doom it was, in
deed, to many whose all was swept away
by the calamity.
1t was to Messrs. dartmouth & Fin
back 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 no
savings-bank or like institution in the
place, it was with them that such mod
crate sums as the more frugal individu-
ais of the poorer class were able to econ
omize from their daily needs were wont
to be deposited.
It had been season of unusual abun-
dance. Falmouth & Finback could
hardly find storage for the stream Of
produce that flowed in upon them; but
they had managed to do so till such time
as they got it to market. They had
paid, or rather promised to pay, good
prices; but they had also realized fair
profit, and had many thousands of dol
lars in their hands waiting the call OF
their customers.
The partners used to take turns Sleep
ing in the store, where they kept their
money in big iron safe to which each
carried a key.
One day, while Mr.. dartmouth was in
sole charge, his associate having been
called away temporarily on an affair OF
business, q message 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.. Yarmouth
spoke to Nathan Aiming, young man
formerly in the firms employ, who had
recently married and turned farmer
(having bought small piece of land,
mostly on credit) to remain in the store
till his return, promising to remunerate
him for the service.
Aiming consented readily; the more
SO as he knew his wife, Fanny, was a
sensible little body, not bit afraid Of
being left alone; and having his farm to
pay for it stood him in hand to lose no
opportunity of gaining trifie, however
small.
land here" said Mr.. Yarmouth, 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 ac-
commodate them; and if Farmer Swith-
ers 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"
1t was near closing time when Mr..
Falmouth went away, and though a
few loungers dropped in afterward,
none of them bought anything; and ut
the usual hour, Aiming, as he afterward
averred, closed and bolted the shutters,
and locked and barred the front and
back doors, after which, in due time, he
went to sleep on cot in small room
at the rear.
About ten o'clock next morning Mr..
Falmouth returned, finding the store
open as usual, and Aiming at his post
as he had left him.
81 haven't done much business in
your ABSENCE" said the latter. 81
made no sales last evening, and only a
few trifing ones this morning. You'll
find a memorandum of them, with the
money received, in the till; and here's
the key; l had no occasion to open it.,
as Mr.. Swithers didn't call for any
money"
"And now what shall / pay you for
your troublepn Mr.. Falmouth in
quired
"Ohl don't know-would couple
of dollars be rightp"
.sLet us say five," returned the mer-
chant. ait is not the mere trouble you
were put to that's to be considered, but
the responsibility of being left in such
charge. tell you it's not every one
whom l would intrust with our all. Why,
if that safe, for instance, should be rob-
bed, it would not only ruin as, but half
the people in GleRyille!n
Mr.. Yarmouth was about taxing out
his pocket-book to hand over the five,
but Nathan told him to add IL to his de-
post, where it would be much safer
than in his own pocket.
A few hours later all Glenville was in
commotion. Shortly after Nathan's de-
parture from the store, Mr.. Falmouth
had occasion to open the safe, which he
found locked as usual, and almost tainted
at the astounding discovery that the Sc
cret money.drawer had been rifled of
every dollar it contained.
AS soon as he was able he gave the
alarm; and to those who came flocking
in he revealed the dreadful calamity just
come to light, with the circumstance OF
Awnings having been left in charge the
previous night.
"Of course twas him as done it, !" was
the Immediately expressed opinion of
Harvey Bloke, who had once, by his
own account, been New York detec-
tive of considerable "credit and re-
nown."
81 can hardly believe Aiming would
do such thing" said Mr.. Falmouth
she was with us n long time, and we al
ways found him trustworthy"
" Bless your innocent soul!" replied
Bloke, ''them's jest the sort as alters
does SIGH tricks. Corse whyp it's them
as gits trusted, an consistently gifts
chances. wy, when / was onto the
force in Moo York, twas invariably
among the Sunday-school teachers and
class-leaders we looked fust in sicb
cases. .
"isat AIMING always appeared ex.
ceptionably honest" persisted MIR. Fair.
paouth
"All the more reason for suspectin'
aM~We club with the Little Rock