Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-10
The Murdered Cashier.
STRONGEST CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVlDENCE
OF GUILT.
I'm odd Story of Justice.
A LOVING GIRLS TESTl M0NY.
CHAPTER l.

No doubt there were some in the time
of the Queen of Sheba who carped at
the wisdom of Solomon; and so there
were people in the city in the days that
Immediately followed the American war
who had something to say against the hrm
of Parkman. Bubb & Parkman, of II
Change alley. They could not deny that
it was an old-established concern, Tor
Parkmans' had been trading between Lon
don and Calcutta in almost the early days
of John Company Bahadur. And they
could not say that it was not prosperous,
for its name stood high in its own branch
of business, and it had never beer 1fown
TO go in for rash speculations or lisky
profits. But what people did say, and
there were old fogies on Change never tir-
ed of repeating it, was that there was too
much young blood in Parkmans'. "Go in
to Parkmans'," these would say, land
you'll have young man to deal with, un-
less you have the luck to do with old Park
manv-treatment which they seemed to
think most offensive. And Of course when
old Parkman died rather suddenly, these
carpers were still more triumphant. There
was no saving clause now when they stat
ed the treatment you might expect at
Parkmans'. For the second partner was
only sleeping partner-sleeplng, it was
currently reported, on fine estate IN Ross
shire-and young Parkman-well, he was
young Parkman. Then Critchlow, the
cashier, was young for cashier, being un-
der forty; and Crisp, the head clerk, was
very young, being something over thirty.
And altogether Parkmans' might expect,
for some time to come, to hear good deal
about its young blood.
At was o'clock on Saturday some
three weeks after old Mr.. Parkman's
death. In the large office the clerks were
putting away their books and getting down
their hats. There was murmer of talk
about the river, or Wimbledon, OR whatever
amusement they severally had in view for
the afternoon, when tall man, dressed in
dark mourning, and wearing his hat, en-
tered from an inner room. The noise
sank to respectful hum, He was hand
some man, with short, fair mustache,
and light blue eyes He nodded pleasant
ly to one or two of the clerks, and walked
through to where glass case in corner
indicated the sanctum of the head clerk.
Crisp, a small, slender, dark-complexioned
man, looked up peevishly as the chief en-
tered, but seeing who it was, would have
got down from his stool.
OlU SUlll, bllt ClldAO SdlOl, Idly ilo
hand lightly on the others shoulder to
stay him. II am only waiting for the car
riage. 1t is more pleasant here than in the
usual business to-day, I think, Crisp, eh?"
The clerks face flushed.
'No, Mr.. James," he said; 81 am not"
"What, haven't you made it up with her
yet?"
Tho ,,o,po MON SbooI, b;c bood ond
then broke out with
"And what is more, sir, my temper has
been so bad ever since Critchlow found out
this deficiency that l should be afraid of
making matters worse. | don't wonder
she could not stand it; it is no good my
trying to make 1t up with her till have
cleared that up. Then l shall be myself
again, and can look her in the face AS I
told you, sir, l shall come back at 4, and
go through the books quietly by myself.
shall never forget your kindness, sir, neVerl
But that Critchlow is so trying!-there's
not clerk in the Office does not know now
that there is something the matter with
my accounts.
Crisp spoke with deep feeling, and it
was evident that the other believed him.
'Don't think too much of it." he said
kindly. eff it cannot be explained, shall
still trust you. 1t is but a small amount.
Try to hit upon the blot"
"Try!' cried the head clerk; 'I've
tried again and again"
He passed his hands through his hair
until it stood on end, and, with his bright
black eyes, gave him very wild look.
"Well, do your BEST" the merchant an
swered, drawing on his gloves. "You
know my poor father had every confidence
in you, as he had in your father, and l
have the same, Crisp"
And then he went, the young man look
ing after him with grateful, almost wor-
shipping, eyes. There were few men in
his position and at his age so Invariably
kind and considerate to their interiors as
was James Parkman. Old Parkman had
been the same, and father and Son enioyed
a rare popularity in the office. 1t was
whispered, but probably there was no
truth in the malicious rumor, that they
never quarrelled save with one another.
Crisp sat for some minutes pondering,
and, if his face was any index to his
thoughts, upon some unpleasant subject
Thell 'i2 lie arose, and taking his hat went in
to the outer Office. I1I9 I1gIi9a %%2se still two
or three clerks there, detained by some
small matters, and talking to them il a
sharp, rasping voice was a stout, black
whiskered, short-faced man.
''Not found it out yet?" he said to Crisp,
in sneering tone. He was Critchlow, the
cashier.
"No," retorted the head clerk, s'nor
likely to while there is so much noise in
the officep'
''Well, if l were you, I'd stay and find
it out, If l stayed until tomorrow. But it
is fine to be you. I've got to stay until 4
OR thereabout, error Or no error.''
81 think" said Crisp, wrathfully, seeing
the clerks upon the broad grin, 'sthat |
should make it hot for you if l stayed long
with you anywheren'
And without waiting to hear the cashier S
retort or the burst of laughter which his
own excited answer evoked from the young
sters, he passed out and ran down the
stairs and through the quiet alley into the
street.
CHAPTER II.
1t was halfpast when Crisp, after
threading divers of the city ways, in which
the crowds were now rapidly lessening,
turned again into Change alley. A look of
depression-a haggard, careworn look
was upon the young mans face as he
crossed it, his head bent down. Suddenly
a sweet, glad ciy-oh! SO out of place
there struck upon his ear, and he stopped
and looked round with start, to meet the
next instant two little gloved hands thrust
into his, two brown eyes swimming with
tears looking into his black ones. ooh,
Ernestn' the girl cried-she was young
and pretty, but dressed very plainly in
black, and until this moment had worn her
veil down-"aren't you glad to see me?''
''Glad, my darling?" he cried, all the
care gone from his face; eyes, very glad.
You know I am glad
'tAnd do you love me as much as ever,''
she pleaded, with her eyes fixed so very
anxiously on his.
"Yes,' he said simply. Nor did she
doubt him now, though during the last
fortnight of estrangement following that
wretched petty quarrel she had fancied all
sorts of dreadful things. ''More and more
every day, dearest. 1t was all my fault,
Ethel. ! had been worried and vexed by
business, and visited it upon you.'
The girl looked up at him with clinging
eyes, as if it had been a privilege he had
granted her. Then she said, but not re.
proachfully, 81 have been here half an
L