Milford chronicle., 1888-08-03
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

DAf ED UR l1E DllNh.
1 was seated in my Office one afternoon il
October, 1884, when an acquaintance, mer
chant Of this city, called | had then ac
quired a fair experience in my calling, bu
my income from that source had been quit
limited; hence my extreme qualification whei
my visitor announced that the purpose Of hi
visit was "business."
Tho gentleman said that a friend of his
Mr.. B, a merchant doing an EXTENSIVE
business on Lake street, had requested hin
to suggest the name of a reliable.Ran to un
dertake private investigation; that he hat
promised to comply with the request, anC
therefore came to me- / asked him If hC
knew anything about the character and de
tails Of the case. He replied that he did not
AT my instance the gentleman wrote letter
OF introduction to Mr.. B., which he
handed me, and after receiving my promis,
to deliver it without delay he departed.
lost no time in communicating with Mr.
B. l sent my messenger the letter Of in
PRODUCTION inclosed in a note of my own, re-
questing an interview and in reply was in
vited to call at his residence that evening at
o'clock
Lswas promptly on hand at the designated
time, and was ushered into a comfortable
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
requiredF' asked, making dive at the bust
ness in hand.
81 wish you to investigate a little matter
for me" he said, ''and will give you the
cause and details in a few words" After
moments hesitation, which seemed devoted
to deep thought, he said: 81 presume you
are aware of the character of our business;
we require large clerical force in our count
ing room; we reward efficiency and zeal with
merited promotion, and many Of our clerks
have acquired their present advanced posi-
tiOns through this system. Among others in
our counting room is one who has secured
his desk by gradual promotion, a young man
who seems possessed of the required qualifi-
cations and who has always, so far as can
| judge, properly performed his whole duty l
speak Of our cashier. He is young, intelli-
gent, with kindly disposition, prompt at
his post, and inGefatigable in his work Be
| cause of these qualities and the fact that he
has exercised economy l have felt myself
gradually drawn toward him. | have taken
deeper interest in him than in many others
in our employ and was much gratifed 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 ex-
preston, and the discovery has disturbed me.
When first l observed this change it was but
slightly depicted on his countenance but it
has grown more pronounced from day to day
until now he seems little more than a shadow
of his former self, and though prompt at his
post and in his work, the old smile seldom
lights up his genial face. l have taken occa-
sion 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 81 800 to his credit a month ago."
"What is your idea of the cause of this
condition of things?n 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 employees account and had a right to
draw his money, he had several times in
vested in shares Of building and loan associa-
tions, but never without first consulting me
as to the advisability Of doing so. OF course,
have been more than pleased with this
mark of confidence, and was so favorably i'm
pressed with his worth that had already
deteImined that he would be the next to be
admitted to a junior copartnership interest
in our establishment. Ny recent discoveries
and the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy. | am determined, if possible. to
learn the cause Of this change, and therefore
have sent for you to look into the case for
me. 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 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 may require in the |
case"
''Do you suspect financial trouble in any
formln
Il have no data upon which to ground a
suspicion; his trial balance sheet made three
days ago proves the books and accounts in
good shape, and the cash balance on hand at
that time was correct.
docs he complain of illness or overwork?n
"He does not; in fact, when questioned
him concerning the cause of his appearance,
his answers seemed rather evasive."
After few moments further conversation
bade my client good night and departed.
The next day l entered the counting room of
Mr.. B and asked the clerk at ono Of the
windows to give me silver coin for $50
note. Pointing to another window he said:
THE cashier will give it to you.n was
about to have view of the cashier. This
was the purpose desired to compass. had
not up to that time had glimpse of that
gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designated l
asked; "Are you the cashierlr Receiving an
Affirmative response l requested change for
my paper currency, which request was
silently granted.
The few seconds required by the cashier in
which to gather up the coin and pass it
through the window sufilced me to ''take inn {
hat gentleman's face that might know it {
whenever / should see it again.
/ spent several days In quiet investigation I
md then sought private interview with I
he accused. After a few commonplace re- I
marks took up the matter in hand. '
Il am messenger appointed to watch you
md gain information concerning your hab- I
ts," said l, looking steadily in his eyes. 7
The young man assumed a calmneSs, but {
ould not conceal his alarm and deep con-
ern. / had fully determined that the \
asher was not rogue at heart believed
hat be was not confirmed in any vicious r
lractice, and if his conduct during our inter- 4
Iiew warranted it intended to be his friend q
N-"NJ Aoio ehAb ~ was our uutys II Z
ossible, to prevent crime. We effect vast u
cal more good in this world by preventing 4
nr fellow man from being a. criminal than v
y permitting the commission of crime in n
rder to detect" the criminal and punish Il
i'm. How many lives and happy homes Il
light be saved il this were more frequently ii
racticedl .
After moments pause my companion t,
5ked; who sent you to watch meF' b
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