The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-01
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

1ulOcu, ucHC0 my CAACiAC IdOiHCc
ton when my visitor announced tina
the purpose Of his visit was ''busi
ness"
The gentleman said that frien,
of his, Mr.. B, a merchant doin,
an extensive business on Lake street
had requested him to suggest til
name Of d reliable man to undertake
q private Investigation; that he ha,
promised to comply with the request
and therefore came to me- 1aske,
him If he knew anything about th
character and details of the case
He replied that he did not. At m,
instance the gentleman wrote a let
ter Of introduction to Mr.. B.
which he handed me, and after re
ceiving my promise to deliver it with
out delay he departed:
lost nd time III Communicating
with Mr.. B.. 1 sent my messeirI
ger the letter ofintroduction incloseS
in q note IF lily own, requesting al
interview, and in reply was invited
to call at his residence that evening
at s O'Clock.
was promptly on hand at the DIES
ignated time, and was ushered into
a comfortably 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 q
dive at the business In hand.
II wish you to investigate a little
matter for ihe," he said; "and will
give you the cause and details id d
few words" After moments hest
tation, which seemed devoted to
deep thought, he said: 81 presume
you are aware Of the character Of
our business; we require a large
clerical force in our counting room;
we reward our 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 se-
cured his desk by gradual promo
tion, q young man who seems pos
sessed Of the required qualifications
and who has always, so far as l can
judge, properly performed his whole
duty. I speak of Our cashier. He is
young, intelligent; with d kindly dis
position, prompt at his post, and in
defatigable in his work: Because of
these qualities and the fact that he
has exercised economy l have felt
myself gradually drawn toward him.
l have taken deeper interest in him
than in many others in our employ
and was much gratified to find that
he had to his credit a neat little sum,
saved out of his salary. Recently,
however, l have noticed that he
wears a haggard expression, and the
discovery has disturbed me. When
first l observed this change it was
but slightly depicted on his counte-
nance, but it has grown more pro-
nounced from day to day until now
he seems little more than a shadow
of his former self, and though prompt
at mis- post and in his work, the old
smile seldom lights up his genial face.
l have taken occasion 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, 900 to his credit q
month ago."
"What is your idea of the cause OF
this condition of things?" / 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
account and had right to
draw his money. he had several times
invested in shares ofbuilding and loan
associations, but never without first
consulting me as to the ACCESSIBILITY
of doing SO. Ofcourse, have been
more than pleased with this mark
confidence, and was so favorably inn
pressed with his worth that had al
ready determined that he would be
the next to be admitted to a junior
copartnership interest in our estab-
lishment. My recent discoveries and
the cashiers reticence have made me
am determined, ifpossible,
to learn the cause of this change, and
therefore have sent for you to look
into the case for me. l 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 l interpose
Is that you must make no move that
will disturb him until you shall have
reported to me. 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
nay require in the case"
"Do you suspect financial trouble
n any form?"
81 have no data upon which to
ground q suspicion; his trial balance
sheet made three days ago proves
5he books and accounts in good shape,
md the cash balance on hand at
hat time was correct"
'Does he complain of illness or
2"
"He does not; in fact, when ques-
ioned him concerning the cause OF
lis appearance, his answers seemed
ather evasive."
After few moments further con-
/ babe my clientgood night |
md departed. The next day I en-
cred the counting room of Mr.. B.
md asked the clerk at one of the |
windows to give me silver coin for |
) 500 note. Pointing to another |
window he said: ''The cashier will |
i've it to you" l was about to
ave a view of the cashier. This was |
he purpose l desired to compass. l
lad notup to that time had a glimpse
# that gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designat-
d I asked: "Are you the cashier"
an affirmative response I
change for my paper cur
ency, which request was silently