Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04

| LEU tuds III was our Ouby, II pOSolDis W
prevent crime. We effect vast deal
more good in this world by preventing
our fellow man from being criminal
than by permitting The commission of
crime in order to detect the criminal and
punish him. How many lives and happy
homes might be saved if this was more
frequently practiced!
After moments pause my companion
added: "Who sent you to watch me?"
zone deeply interested in your well
fare. Can you guess who?" replied.
"a lady ?" he asked, very much agitat-
ed
mo-" answered, and taking the cue,
| added: "Miss - Of avenue, so fer
as I know, is not aware of nv employ
ment, and 1 presume she does not even
suspect that there is cause for it, indeed,
[ would deeply regret it if she did"
He turned his face full upon me and
there was a startled and puzzled expires
sion resting upon it. "What do you know
about that lady, and why did you mention
| her when I asked if your principal was a
iady?" he asked, hastily.
81 know that you visited her at her
home this evening, and have reason TO
know your feelings toward the LADY," was
my response.
/ had been right in my conf lectures, and
now knew that L had sent shaft 30 ten
| der spot and felt assured that this hit
would prove valuable, though silent, ad-
| juuct to the successful execution of my
hastily formed plan.
With deep sigh of relief he said: 81
am glad of IT." and then, after pause,
asked again, "Who sent youf"
"Who else can be so deeply interested in
your" said 1. 81 will tell you who author
lied me to follow your movements while
away from the Office, bat I will precede
the information by the statement that my
employer is prompted by the deepest con-
Germ in your behalf. Mr.. B. is the indi-
vidual," 1 said, but the young mans
alarmed countenance urged me to add:
| ''Yet he does not suspect what l have dis
covered; he is especially alarmed about
the great change noted in your appear
ance, and commissioned me to adopt my
own method and time in making the in
vestigatiou. To execute this commission,
determined to keep You under my sur
veilance, though I scarcely expected de-
velopments SO socn."
"I presume you will report your discov-
cry TO Mr. B. at once?" he Intercepted,
with apparent alarm.
sNot necessarily" replied briefly.
Scan my exposure be prevented" he
quickly asked.
"That depends" answered. The
cashier impulsively thrust his hand into
the breast pocket of his coat and drew
forth a roll of bills. Turning to me, with
extending arm, the money grasped in his
hand, he said, excitedly," You are welcome
to this, but for Gods sake don't expose
me; it will ruin me foreverw
Restraining my Indignation as much as
possible, I said: "Your proposition is
as unworthy of you as it would be I'M
worthy of me to accept it," My words
stunned him, and an expression Of de-
| lection and lost hope over cast his coun-
tenance. Seeing the effect my speech
had, I added earnestly Il will be your
friend and save you If you will comply
fully with my demands"
"A CLEAN of hope instantly shohe on his
countenance, and he added rather demure-
| Iy: "What do you demand?"
| Looking him earnestly in the eyes
answered, "That you tell me truthfully
| how you came to visit a faro bank, how
long the visits have been INDUCED in,
! how often ard with what result
To sum up this statement briefly, but
which he gave in DETAIL ne said that he
went with friend one night out of Gu
riosity; that the game was fascinating;
that he commenced by buying So worth
of checks; he won SIS; visited the place
again a few nights after and tried his
luck, but this time lost $25. He repeated
his visit two nights following with like
result, then the fascination and a deter
mination to recover his small loss impelled
him to 90 again, each time meeting with
| 3 loss being greater than the last, until he
visited the place almost nightly, and
finally realized that he had drawn out
nearly all of his cash balance in the of
fee, besides having hypotheoated some
shares of stock owned by him.
The loss caused him much regret, but he
| had spent many sleepless nights because
of remorse when it fully dawned upon
him that he was living lie and that the
confidence reposed in him by Mr.. B. and
Miss - would be instantly withdrawn
and summary dismissal from both follow,
meaning, of course, disgrace. He had
used mis- own money; he had not gone far
enough in his recklessness to filoh.
| "Are you satisfied now to cut short this
recklessness?" asked.
eyes," he answered, determinedly.
"Pledge me your word that you will
never again enter gambling house or
gamble, and will agree to make a report
that will not expose your reckiessness. l
| believe there is ample chance for you ii
you will be wise as we'll as correct in your
character; but will warn you that you
will yet be watched, and if you prove I'M
faithful to your pledge / will SEQ to it
| that you do not escape the logical conse-
quences."
| He extended his hand, which grasped,
and his moistened eyes full of gratitude,
| told me that he was in earnest when he
said; 81 pledge my word TO never again
enter gamble house or gamble. thank
you for your more than friendship. Your
generosity will make me better and
stronger man." We parted on State and
Madison streets, the cashier going home
and to my lodgings. put shadow
after him. His conduct proved exem-
plary. / so reported from time TO time
during the month following the above
| episode, and finally reported to my client,
that l believed the young man made a
temporary loan to friend, and that his
friend had paid him back the loan. TO
confirm my report the cashier had de-
posted the money in the Office and cred
tied his account with the amount, the bag
gard ex preston had vanished, and the old
genial smile was again enthroned in its
place. My report was accepted; was
| thanked for my services and well paid for
the effort.
On the LIST of January following the
cashier was admitted to a sjunior co-part-
nership interest In Mr. BIS extensive bust
ness. and in October of the same year he