The Washington critic., 1886-03-20
THE CASHIERS SON.


ness of the firm. / was looking over
the morning packet of letters and sort.
ing them in little heaps for more min
ute attention by and by, laying those
in one place which might be answered
by the head clerk without advice from
me, placing others by themselves
which would require my own atten-
ton. AS ] was shuilling my letters
into packs came upon one that set
me musing. II was from personal
friend of many years standing, one
who had done me many good turn,
and to please whom / would gladly
have strained every nerve. It was
from johnson of Cluttcrduck, John
son Il Co., the eminent London bank
ers, and marked "Privatc."
read 1t through twice carefully,
and stood staring into space out of the
window, for the contents made me mad.
"a trouble has fallen on u.s." my
friend johnson wrote, or words to that
effect; "and we rely on you to help us
out of it. There are securities missing
which we had In custody to the value
of some seven thousand pounds. This
is bad enough, but by no means the
worst The money could be re-
placed, an explanation made, and there
would be an end of it. Unfortunately,
we have discovered that the thief is no
other than the son of our highly
esteemed cashier, man who Is probity
itself, who looks on the firm as the
most important institution in the world,
who has grown up on our hearthstone,
so to speak, and who hopes TO die in
harness. If the ne'er-do-well son of
this excellent person were to stand in
the dock, his unhappy parent would
never lift up his head again. We are
bound to do what we can to save our
aged and trusted servant, even to the
compounding of felony; and so ask
you, for 'auld lang syne, not to refuse
my request.
1T is this: We have discovered that
the scapegrace has started for Liver
pool with largo portmanteau, on his
way to New York, probably. 1t is also
probable that he may try, before start
ing, to get rid of the securities. They
bear the stamp of our house. Therefore
it is most likely that he will bring them
to you protesting to be sent by us,
Lhub Oul Ill ulC ClOSclH
mixed up in business, and that we con
stantly have transactions together. This
is mere conjecture, but it is our last
hope. We could not, you know, ex.
pect our correspondents in America to
act as l am imploring you to do. If the
young man presents himself, seize the
stolen property and keep it till COM
municate again. Lecture the silly lad
severely, pay his passage to New York,
and hand him a couple of hundred
pounds whelewith to begin the world
afresh. For old Boyle's sake we do
not desire to throw his son penniless
| into fresh temptation. | am myself GO
ing to Paris for fortnight, and shall
anXiously expect news when | return.
Do not write before that, as this is u
secret which must be kept in rs small
cirle rs may be; and there is no know
| ing in my absence into whose hands
your letter might fall"
Thus wrote my friend; and | stood
pondering sadly, fully resolved at the
same time to do his bidding. Many a
smooth chinned lad has gone wrong
through ineXperience, has struggled
out of the mud, retrieved the past and
has ended his days us q respectable
member of society. This boy was
lucky to be so kindly treated. Certainly
l would lecture him most severely;
would give him his pittance and buy
his ticket, and send him away with n
warning to "sin no more" But what
If he did not come? What if My
train of conjecture was brought to n
full stop by a rap at the door.
"a young gentleman OF the name of
Boyle" my messenger announced,
waits without and wishes to speak
with YOU" My heart leaped up with
gladness, as answered briskly, "show
him in at once, and see that we are not
interrupted" A nice-looking young fel-
low was this same Mr.. Boyle, tall and
slim, with a bright, frank face, which
belied his conduct. He was not bad at
bottom. That was evident. Johnson
was right in giving him another chance.
The young man explained in con
strained, nervous manner that he was
about to travel; that it would be con-
venience if I'd help him to realize GER
tain securities; that he did not under
stand business, and was, perhaps, go
ing awkwardly to work, but as the ship
was to sail that very day there was no
time for sending to London.
| | heard him out, and looked him in
the face. He lowered his eyes, and
looked more confused. Sternly held
out Johnson's letter. which was still
between my fingers, and bade him read
it. AS he did so his breast heaved, and
after awhile he buried his face in the
table.cloth and burst into tears. This
was tacit confession of his guilt.
waited silently to allow his better
nature to assume the mastery, and
when he grew calmer spoke. 1t is not
necessary to recapitulate all said tc
him. Suffice that ! pointed out sol
emnly the Nervousness of his crime, his
ingratitudc, his wickcdness, and fur,
ther stated that was prepared to act
as directed in the letter, lie clung tC
my hand and kissed 1t.
The securities We're sealed in n biz
envelope, which he drew from IN innel
pocket. lie would thankfully accept
The muniilcent offer of my friend lit
murmured in broken accents; would gC
and begin life again in the New World
and perhaps some day might ventur,
to return, a wiser and better man
Have not convicts in Van Dieman'
Land acted as admirable senator's?
had judged rightly concerning tht
youth. | was glad of that. He hat
been very foolish, nay, criminal; bu
his heart was in the right place
| took the securities and locked then
in my safe to lie there till such time a
| IN. f..