Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-03-28
A Faithful Servant.


In these degenerate times, when the public
records are burdened with recitals of oficis
malyersation and dereliction of duty, faith i
fuIness to trust and strict observance on the
part of servants of their employers interests
are all the more to be commended, inasmuch
as these laudable characteristics seem to be
getting rarer day by day. That. such prin-
ciple as We have briefly laid down is not al
ways recognized in New York seems evident
from the following incident which occurred a
short time ago in that city: r. III. Brundige
is well~known dealer in china. oroekery and
fancy goods, who has Cor had lately1 in his
employment porter named Arthur Ward.
One day recently the Rev. DR.. Wilbur r.
Watkins happened into Mr.. Brundige's store.
and seeing lamp which he fancied,
purchased it and directed that it be sent
to his residence. The business of transport
ing it thither devolved upon Mr.. Ward, who
su ubsequently departed in fulfllment of his
duty. The lamp failed to arrive at Mr.
Watkins house, and Investigation showed
that it had been pledged in Bowery
pawnshop for SO. So far We are
willing to admit that the train of
circumstances seemed to throw shade of
suspicion on Mr.. Wards actions. But hear
his explanation of the affair. On being
arraigned at jefferson Market Police court
he said that he began to get drunk imme
diately after leaving the store, and fearing
that he might injure or lose
the lamp. be deposited it with
the pawnbroker Gould anything be-
fairer or more reasonable than this? Many
man upon beginning to get drunk would have
become reckless Of results, and woald have
cast the lamp to the winds along with his so-
briefly Not SO Mr.. Ward. He was determined
hat his devotions at the shrine of Bacehus
should occasion his employer no loss beyond
the incidental one aris ng from the temporary
deprivation of his services As he commenced
the process of getting Intoxicated at Union
Square, it is safe to assume that his inebriety
had reached formidable dimensions by the
time he got to the Bowery, But even at this
stage his foresight and dsFotion to his employ
eris interests did not forsake him. He depes-
tied the lamp With the pawnbrOker, exacting
the sum of $3 as security that it should be
Forthcoming at the proper time. IL. might
have occurred to persons not gifted with Mr..
Wards keen perception of duty to leave the
lamp for safety in some other place than
paynbroker's but then as his intoxication
became more profound he would have for
gotten all about where he left it, and 1t would
become q total loss to Mr.. Brundige.
Having the reminding pawn ticket
in his possession would insure
his going 60 the right piece, ana
also make certain tho safe return of the prop
erty. Yet, melancholy to relate, the unap-
preciative police Justice failed to see the
force of Mr.. Wards straightforward argn-
ment, and ruthlessly consigned him to prison
to await trial at the General Sessions Ana
we wonder at the increase of pecuiatlon anu
fraud all over the land, while fa1thfulness
and devotion to duty go not only unreWarded,
bat are actually regarded as crime.