The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-10
SAVED on THE BRINK.

i was seated in my Office at Chicago one
afternoon in October, 1884, when an ac-
quaintance, merchant of that city,
called l had then acquired a fair ex-
perience in my calling, hut 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 a friend of his,
Mr. B., merchant doing an extensive
business on Lake street, had requested
him to suggest the name of reliable
man TO undertake a private investiga-
tion; that he had promised TO comply
with the request, and therefore came TO
me.
l asked him If he new anything about
the character and details of the case He
replied that ne did not. At my instance
the gentleman wrote letter OF introduc-
tion TO Mr.. b. which he handed to me,
and after receiving my promise to deliver
it without delay he departed.
lost no time in communicating with
Mr.. b. i sent by messenger the letter of
introduction enclosed in note of my own.
requesting an interview, and in reply
was invited TO call At his residence that
evening at eight o'clock.
l was promptly on hand at the desig-
mated time, and was ushered into a COM
Portable 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 ser
vice required!' l asked, making dive at
the business in hand.
Il wish You to investigate n little mat
ter for me- he said, "and viii give you
the cause and details in few words
After moments hesitation, which
seemed devoted to deep thought, he said:
Il presume You are aware of the char
acter of our business; we require large
clerical force in our counting room; we
reward efficiency and zeal with merited
promotion, and many of our clerks have
acquired their present advanced positions
through this system.
Among others in our counting room
is one who has secured his desk by grad
ual promotion, a young man who seems
possessed of the required qualifications
and who has always, SO far As l can judge,
properly performed his whole duty. 1
speak OF our cashier. He is young, intel
Hgent, with a kindly disposition, prompt
at his post and interchangeable in his work.
Because OF these qualities and the fact
that he has exercised economy have felt
myself gradually drawn towards him. 1
have taken deeper interest in him than in
many others in our employ and was much
gratiled to find that he had to his credit
p neat little sum, saved out OF his salary.
Recently, however, / have noticed that
he wears a haggard expression, and the
discovery has disturbed me.
when first I observed this change IL
was but slightly depicted on his cOun-
tenance, bat it has grown more pro-
nounced from day to day until now he
1f~~fa h. of
former self, and though prompt at mis-
post and in his work the old smile seldom
lights up his genial face. i have taken
occasion TO look into his personal account
in the ledger and find that from time to
time be has drawn upon IL until now very
little remains OF the 81 900 to his credit
month ago."
What is your idea of the cause of this
condition of tbings," l asked.
Il 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 10 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 as
sociations, but never without first con
sulting me Is to the advisability of do
ing So
'Of course, I have been more th~7
please. with this mark of confidence, a.
was 80 fayorably impressed with his
worth that had already determined that
he would be the next to be admitted TO
a junior copartnership interest in our es-
tabiishment- Ny recent discoveries and
the cashiers reticence have made me un-
easy. ] am determined, If possible, TO
learn the cauSe of this change, and there
fore / have sent for you TO look into the
case for me, | desire you to ascertain
what influence has caused the change in
his appearance, ard what he has done with
his money. The only condition that in
tcrposc il that you must make no move
that will disturb him until you shall have
reported TO me. You may adapt your
own time and method to resch the end in
view, and you may call upon me for such
assistance rs you may require in the
case
"Do you suspect financial trouble in
any form''
Il have no data upon which TO ground
n suspicion; his trial balance sheet made
three days ago proves the books, and ac-
counts in good shape, and the cash bal
ance on hand at that time WAS correct"
'Does he complain OF illness or over
works''
Ilt GOtS AON- III AsAlAs NAth
toned him concerning the cause OF his
appearance, his answers seemed rather
evasive"
After few moments further converse
tion bade my client good night sud de-
parted.
The next day / entered the counting
room OF Mr.. B. and asked the clerk at enc
of the windows TO give me silver coinfor
a $50 note.
Pointing 10 another window be said !
1.-The cashier will give it to you"
was about to have view OF the CASH
ier. This was the purpose / desired TO
compass. had not up to that time had
a glimpse of that gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designated
asked:
"Arc you the cashier''
Receiving an affirmative response j re-
questsd change for my paper currency,
which request was silently granted
The few seconds required by the cashier
in which to gather mp the coin and pass 1t
through the window suficed me to take
in" that gentleman's face that / might
know it whenever 1 should see it again.
/ spent several days in quiet inves-
tigation and then sought private inter
view with the accused After few COM
monplace remarks took up the matter in
hand.
Il am a messenger appointed TO watch
you and gain information concerning
your habits" said /, hooking steadily in
his eyes.
The Young man assumed calmness,
but could not conceal his alarm and deep
concern. had fully determined that the
cashier was not rogue at heart. believed
that he was not confirmed in any vicious
practice, and IL his conduct during our in
terview warranted IL ! intended TO he his
-.-.c s-.s..ts 4csJ that ii Wa
our duty, If possible, 10 prevent crime
We effect a vast deal more good in Tia,
world by preventing our fellowman from
| heinz a criminal than by ne ern,itfinsy TN,