The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-10-18

friends had thought it wiser to eontine him
to his house. His accounts had been at
once vigorously examined, and were found
to be correct II was perfectly true that
he had mortgaged his house. ard had paid
the amount into the bank He had con
cealed the loss for three months or more
from the bank, which was mistake on
his part, but he had been punctilious
enough to even add the interest for some
ninety days.
Now, felt absolutely certain that the
man to whom the check had been paid
must be rascal If he had offered resti-
tuition it came late-very much late. My
firm gave me carte blanche to manage the
matter as pleased. could not have him
arrested As he lived in an isolated part
of the country 10 efficient summons could
reach him, If I had been aggressive
before, probably not cent would have
been returned. | wrote Low. sharp
letter. | said: THAT & cry lasge
amount of money must have been paid
him over and above the face Of the last
check given him, which was for $456.
| stated. THAT ! knew exactly how much
it was. must confess outright that this
was bluff. | was not sure that the
teller had not made other mistakes
besides this one | wrote that unless
the money was at once restored ]
would blast his reputation. If he was
inclined to be honest, even at this late
date, let him do all he could and send
back the whole amount" thought ii
wiser not to let him know the mental con.
dition of the teller | was quite certa in
that if he knew that if the teller was out
of his mind not one penny would he
return. wrote to him that he must be
in a hurry about it. That only the teller
and ! knew of it, and that my firm were
yet in ignorance
At once, by return mail, had letter
The sum was not, as he said, what / rep
resented it to be. He made some specious
arguments about man finding a purse,
and the description of it not tallying with
the actual purse lost, or the amount in it.
Under such circumstances, was a man
bound to return it? If | could prove that
he had been overpaid, l ought to
state exactly what was the amount.
He might, he added never have
written ME a word about it, and
no one would have been the wiser. But he
had conscience, so he said. I replied
with a vigorous letter. | confuted his
arguments. He knew" said, 'the mo-
ment he had the bank notes passed over
10 him that he had been overpaid." A
man might find piece of gold in the dust
of the road. and could never tell who
dropped it there But there was no anal
ogy between the two cases | cried "for
immediate restoration, or there would be
an exposure. His answer did not come
for ten days. Il was mistaken, he said
He was not aware that he had been over
paid until he got home. Then he did not
know of it for week afterward. 1t
came out then in his accounts " l knew
this TO be wicked lie, but il
contained at least the written ac-
acknowledgement that he had been over
paid. His letter concluded as follows
The matter has worried me considerably;
has taken up great deal of my time, and
time for me is money Don't you think
there should be compensation allowed ME,
or in other words, can't we make a com.
promise?" (Oh, the blackguardD III
such thing could be arranged will COME
TO the city and pay over to you the money
| am not afraid of the bank. / consider
that my transactions have been with youl
firm. z"
The money overpaid by the teller had
been some 81, 900, and he had probably
counted out 81 $50 instead of $456
hated to do it, but | offered the scoundrel
his travelling expenses. His reply came
promptly: ITO leave his business was
worth great deal more than that
Then, again. he thought of bring
ing his wife ON with him and en-
joying themselves. The up and down
of it was that | must offer him certain
amount. My temptations, you remem-
Der, have been very great. =" | offered him
$500. / was disguised. felt like going
to his place and tackling him myself.
"This is my ultimatum," said IF |
do not hear from you in ten days will
disclose the whole matter and you will be
dishonored. His letter came back
promptly enough. HE would take the
$500. 1t wasn't very much The bank
was ever so rich. Corporations had no
souls. +" consulted with the bank presi-
| with the man. Would it be believed that
that wretch and his wife came to - ap
! parently on pleasure trip? He had done
sharp and clever piece of business. HI
| had not the least conjunction,
of conscience He came to the Office of al
evening, and do not hesitate in saying
that in my hip pocket there was revolver
| He handed me over something less thar
$2,000 asserting that the amount received
less the travelling expenses and the $50
made up this balance. When the money
had been transferred by me to the safe
| gave him piece of my mind. did no
| spare him. heaped on him every insult
ing epithet | could think of Then h,
showed his temper, which was an ugly
one. "Now, said /, (remember, | was q
then, and hotter blood ran through M
veins than today, you are worse than
thief; you are murderer. You hav
wrecked an honest mans brains. Tha
teller of the bank, whose money you took
has lost his reason. He will, am afraid
never be sane man again. This is you
work. That seemed to cow him. You
| repentance comes too late. | hat
you so that-God forgive me-ha,
you as much as lifted finge
against me, | should not hav
hesitated in killing you like dog, and NJ
jury in the land would have touched
hair of my head. Go out of this city b
the early morning train, or will max
you. The wretch left the office like
whipped cur. What was the sequel?
sad one. The bank teller lapsed into
melancholy condition, which rendered a
mental labor impossible. He had som
little money, but many friends, and sue
few comforts as he required were ungrude
ingly given him. He died ten years age
He never did completely recover his senses
AS to the canting rascal, his fate was
dire one Somehow the whole story cam
out, though I did not divulge it In tha
section of country where he lived he Wa
discredited. He took to drink, and b.
came confirmed inebriate He neglecte
his business, and his plantation was sole
His wife sought and obtained a divorc,
Two years ago l read that in brawl
; | tho most depraded nnarter of f(1rr