The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-08

"Where are your receipts?' inquired
their father, who had previously told
them that, when purchases had been
made by them, OF two dollars or more,
receipt should be taken. At the ques-
ton each young face showed dismay. In
the excitement about the ball, they had
simply paid the amount, and had forgot
ten to ask for any bills.
Mr.. Hewitt said that perhaps he ought
to make them pay the sum over again as
q lesson, bat thst the demand vas uni asst.
The girls and Miss Keller went to the
boot-maker's, and declared that they had
paid for the boots.
Poison, however, showed By his books
that the amount was due; and In day
or two, on Mr.. Hewitts refu sing to pay
the amount, he su ID the latter, who, in
dignant at having his daughters word
doubted, allowed the suit to come o.
Miss Keller, of course, gave her tssti-
moay in the children's favor, and, as
proof OF it, said that the amounts were
entered at once 10 their little account
b Joks.
Then the Judge and jury we're told how
&C ,urately the 70 lr girls kept their b 'oks.
Ali the jorymen smiled at this, looking
at the four little ladies who were at the
trial; but the books by the judges order,
we're produced, and inspected by the jury.
Page after page was read. The columns
were run up, the balances inspected, the
entries of receipts read out; while the
children sat By, fairly trembling with
fright. How little they had ever thought
their account-books would be placed in
the hands of judge and jury!
It was seen that regularly every month
the children were in the habit of spending
certain sums of money in certain ways.
For example, every week, bouquet was
purcha sed for little invalid friend; and
two shillings were given in some charity.
The month the boots were purchased
and entered, these regular purchases
were not made, owing TO diminished
funds.
The exquisite neatness and accuracy
of the books provoked admiration on all
sides; and no one in the court, except
Poeson and his clerk, was astonished
when verdict in Mr.. Hewitts favor was
brought in.
But, before Diminishing the case, the
Judge said he felt bound to compliment
the four you az ladies as we'll as their pa
rents, on their eu ccess in such an expert
ment as children's bookkeeping must
be.
The whole case had been decided by
those perfectly accurate and well-bal-
anced account books; and, as they were
children, he would say to them he hoped
they never would forget the Lesson they
had received from their first day in
court.
The case was thus ended; but week
later, on coming down to breakfast, each
little girl found small box by her plate.
Opening it, she discovered gold locket,
with the portraits OF father and mother
on either side, and inscribed on the back
was the date of the trial, with her in .
itisls.
About year after this, Mr.. Hewitt re-
ceived most humble letter from Poison,
the boot-maker, soliciting his custom,
and saying that he had just discovered
the dishonesty of his clerk.
The man had been in the habit of re-
ceiving sums of money and giving no re-
ceipts. He had, no doubt done SO on the
occasion of the memorable purchase of
the satin boots. and had kept the money
for himtelf. Youths Companion.