Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-09-29
My Narrow Escape.

/ never told any body how very. very
near was to death that night. just a
year ago; but as can now look back
and calmly recall each thought each
word, each act, think will write it
down as warning to all who may find
themselves similarly eircumstanced,
hoping. with all my heart that the
number may be few.
In the first place. my name is Fred
erick Putnam. l am and have been
for the last ten years. the foreman
and bookkeeper of the large lumber
ing establishment of William Winston
s. Co, and hope 10 DO for another
decade, unless something else turns
up.
Mr.. Winston is the resident partner
and manager of the manufacturing
part of the bus ness The other men,
bers of the firm, of which there are two
live in the city, at the foot of the lake.
and attend to the sales of lumber,
which we send them by vessels.
This is by far the largest share of
what the mill cuts, although the amount
of our sales directly from the mill. to
supply tho country west of us, is quite
large.
Well, one cold December evening,
Just as was preparing for home,
heard footsteps on the creaking snow
outside, and presently the office door
flew open, as though some one in haste
had gwen it push. admitting a tall.
stout. well dressed man, with small
travelling bag in one hand and shawl
thrown over one arm.
/ was alone-Mr. Winston having
gone to the house some half an hour
before, locking the safe, in VIII ch we
kept our books and papers. and taking
the KEY with him. as usual.
/ had already closed the damper TO
the stove, put ON my overcoat and
was Just in the act of turning down
the lamp-5ut of course. waited.
"Good evening, sir. said the man.
Dustling up the stove, and kicking the
damper open with his right foot ''Has
Winston gone to the housep
! answered that he had.
''WhenP | was afraid of il"
He drew out his watch very fine
one. thought
II shall not have time to 60 up" he
said. The train is due in fifteen min
utes."
SIS there anything l can dop"
asked.
81 wanted to leave some money with
Winston. intended to stop in town
day or two. but have just got a
dispatch that calls me home"
What name sir"
Anderson, of AndersonVille."
/ knew him then. though had seen
him but once before. He had been
one of our best Western customers.
said had been, for the reason that dur
ing the past year his payments had
not been so prompt. In fact he was
considerably behind. and Winston had
that very day told me to write him,
and punch him up little. as he ex-
pressed it The letter was then in
the breast-pocket of my overeoat
you can leave the money with me,
sir. and will give you a receipt"
He seemed to hesitate, which nettled
me somewhat. have never blamed
anybody since, however.
"How much is my billp" he asked,
cycling me, sharply.
answered promptly, for l had
struck the balance not more than hall
an hour before:
Eleven thousand seven hundred
and fifty dollars and twenty-three
cents.
..Humphi less than 1 supposed
Write out receipt for that amount ,
He left the stove. and came anC
looked over M shoulder while
wrote.
at is all right Mr. Putnam. know
You now. You've been with Winston
long time. ] can tell your signatur
j anywhere"
He drew from an inside pocket
large black wallet very round and full
/ and counting out eleven different pile
! of banknotes, he told me to run then
. over. 1t was a short and easy task. TO
] each pile contained just ten one hun
dred dollar bills.
9 The balance was in fives, tens an
J twenties and 1t took more time +
: count them; but at last we got IL 81
8 that both were satisfied.
I At this moment we heard the whistl
{ for she station. Anderson sprung TO
, his travelling bag, and giving me
, hasty hand-shake, was of on the run
/ closed the door. and counted tn
; money again. Finding it all right
wrapped piece of newspaper aroun
1t. and slipped it into my overcoa
pocket
did not feel quite easy to have 8
, much money about me; but as Win
ston's house was at least mile dis
tant l concluded to keep 1t unit