San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-16
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

I was seated in my office one afternoon In
October, 1884, when an acquaintance, a mer-
chant Of this city, called | had then &C
quired a fair experience in my calling but
my income from that source had been quite
limited; hence my extreme qualification when
my visitor announced that the purpose of his
visit was business"
The gentleman said that friend Of his,
Mr.. B, a merchant doing an extensive
business on Lake street, had requested him
to suggest the name of a reliable man to un-
dertake private investigation; that he had
promised to comply with the request, and
therefore came to me. | asked him If he
knew anything about the character and de-
tails Of the case. He replied that he did not
At my instance the gentleman wrote letter
of introduction to Mr.. B., which he
handed me, and after receiving my promise
to deliver it without delay he departed
I lost no time in communicating with MIR.
B. sent my messenger the letter of in
PRODUCTION inclosed in note of my own, re-
questing an interview, and in reply was in
vited to call at his residence that evening at
o'clock
was promptly on hand at the designated
time and was ushered into a comfortable
and well appointed little library room.
Mr. B received me cordially, but his
face wore an expression of much concern.
"For what specific purpose is my service
required" asked, making dive at the bust
ness in hand
II wish you to investigate q little matter
for me-" he said, land will give you the
cause and details in few words" After a
moments hesitation, which seemed devoted
to deep thought, he said: ~ presume you
are aware of the character of our business:
we require large clerical force in our count
ing room. we reward efficiency and zeal with
merited promotion, and many of our clerks
have acquired their present advanced posi-
tions through this system. Among others in
our counting room is one who has secured
his desk by gradual promotion, a young man
who seems possessed Of the required qualiti-
cations and who has always, so far as | can
Judge, properly performed his whole duty. |
speak of our cashier He is young, intelli-
gent, with a kindly disposition, prompt at
his post and indefatigable in his work Be-
cause Of these qualities and the fact that he
mas exercised economy | have felt myself
gradually drawn toward him. | have taken
deeper interest in him than in many others
in our employ and was much gratitied to find
that he had to his or edit neat little sum,
saved out of his salary. Recently, however.
| have noticed that he wears haggard eX.
preston, and the discovery has disturbed me.
When first | observed this change it was but
slightly depicted on his countenance, but it
has grown more pronounced from day to day
until now he seems little more than shadow
of his former self and though prompt at his
post and in his work, the old smile seldom
lights up his genial face | have taken occa-
sion to look into his personal account in the
ledger and find that from time to time he has
drawn upon it until now very little remains
of the 81, 300 to his credit month ago."
What is your idea Of the cause of this
condition of thingsY" | asked.
81 have no fixed idea" Mr.. B replied,
and then added "What puzzles and pains
me is the fact that, though he has authority
TO pay out money standing to the credit of
any employees account and had a right to
draw his money, he had several times in
vested in shares of building and loan associa-
tions, but never without first consulting me
as to the ACCESSIBILITY of doing so. OF course,
have been more than pleased with this
mark of confidence, and was so favorably i'm
pressed with his worth that | had already
determined that he would be the next to be
in our establishment My recent discoveries
and the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy / am determined, if possible, to
learn the cause of this change, and therefore
| have sent for you to look into the case for
me. desire you to ascertain what influence
has caused the change in his appearance, and
what he has done with his money. The only
condition that interpose is that you must
sl.z& II
you shall have reported to Inc. You may
adopt your own time and method to reach
the end in view, and you may call upon me
for such assistance as you may require in the
case"
do you suspect financial trouble in any
form"
~ have no data upon which to ground
suspicion; his trial balance sheet made three
days ago proves the books and accounts in
good shape, and the cash balance on hand at
that time was correct"
Does he complain of illness or overwork"
"He does not; in fact when | questioned
him concerning the cause Of his appearance,
his answers seemed rather evasive."
After few moments further conversation
/ babe my client good night and departed.
The next day entered the counting room of
Mr.. B and asked the clerk at one of the
windows to give me silver coin for a $50
note. Pointing to another window he said:
THE cashier will give it to you" l was
about to have view of the cashier. This
was the purpose desired to compass. had
not up to that time had glimpse of that
gentleman'S face.
Approaching the aperture designated l
asked: Are you the cashierP Receiving an
affirmative response l requested change for