Wichita eagle., 1888-07-18
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

was seated IN my o6ce one afternoon IN
October, 1884, when an acquaintance, mer-
chant Of this city, called l had then &C
quired fair experience in my calling, but
nv income from that source had been quito
limited; hence my extreme qualification when
nv visitor announced that the purpose Of his
visit was business"
The gentleman said that q friend Of his,
Mr.. B, a merchant doing an extensive
business 90 Lake street, bad requested him
to suggest the name OF reliable man 60 un-
dertake private investigation; that he had
promised to comply with the request, and
therefore came 20 me. | asked him II he
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 promise
30 deliver it without delay ne departed
lost no time in communicating with Mr.
B | sent my messenger the letter of in
PRODUCTION inclosed in note Of my own. re-
auesting an interview, and in reply was in
vited to call at his residence that evening at
8 o'clock
was 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
requiredr' asked, making dive at the bust
ness in hand
Il wish you TO investigate a little matter
for me- be said. land will give you the
mi la$e he ~, far
moments hesitation, which seemed devoted
TO deep thought, be said: Il 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, young man
who seems possessed Of the required quaIifi
cations and who has always, so far as l can
judge, properly performed his whole duty. |
speak Of our cashier He is young, intelli-
lent, with a kindly disposition, prompt at
his post, and indefatigaole in his work Be
sause Of these qualities and the fact that ne
has exercised economy have felt myself
gradually drawn toward him have taken
deeper interest in him than in many others
in our employ and was much gratified TO find
that he had TO his CT edit a neat little SUN,
saved out Of his salary Recently, however
| have noticed that be wears q haggard ex-
preston, and the discovery has disturbed me-
When first 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 moro than shadow
of his former self, and though prompt st his
post and in his work, the old smile seldom
lights up his genial face. | have taken coca
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 81 900 to his credit a month ago."
What is your idea of the cause Of this
condition of thingsf' | asked
Il have no fixed idea," Mr. B replied,
and then added: wv bat puzzles and pains
me is the fact that slough he has authority
TO pay out money standing 70 the credit q
any employees account and had a right TO
draw bis money ne mad several times in
vested in shares Of building and loan sssocia-
lions, but never without first consulting me-
as to the adyisability 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 | bad already
determined that ne would be the next TO be
admitted to junior copartnership interest
in our establishment Ny recent discoveries
and the cashiers reticence have made me-
uneasy | am determined, If possible, 20
learn the cause of this change, end therefore
| have sent for you to look into the case for
ma 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 interpose is that you must
make no move that will disturb him until
you shall have reported TO NE 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 IA ths
case"
do you suspect financial trouble in any
FORM
~ have no data upon which to ground 8
suspicion: his trial balance sheet made three
days ago proves the books and accounts in
good shape. and the cash balance on hand So
that time was correct"
Does be complain Of illness or overworkF'
He does not, in fact, when | questioned
him concerning the cause Of bis appearance,
bis answers seemed rather evasve."
After a few moments further conversation
bads my client good night and departed.
The next day | entered the counting room OF
NJ B and asked the clerk ct one OF the
windows to give NE silver coin for a so
note Pointing TO another window be said:
The cashier VIII give it TO you" / was
about to have view of the cashier. This
was the purpose desired to compass had
not Up to that time had q glimpse Of that
gentlemau's fsce
Approaching the aperture designated
asked: Are you the CASHIER Receiving an
affirmative response requested change FOR
silently granted
The few seconds required BY the cashier n
which 20 gather no the coin and pess il
through the window su1oed me to take IN
that genelemans face that l might know II
whenever / should see il again
spent several days in quiet investigation
and than sought 3 private interview With
the accused After few commonplace 20
E,arks took up tie matter IN band
II am messenger appointed TO watch yca
and gain information concerning your hah
It's, said l, looking steadily n bis eyeA
The young man assumed q calnless, hC1
couG not coEc>aI his alarm and deep COZ
,srr had fully determined tsat tas
cashier ~ss not rogue as heart believed
that ha wE no. confirmed ID aay vscaoC,
practice. aad Il bis oonduc. during CIR LITER
v.sx warranted !. i--slds5 - % DIS IrIs-s1
have always eelt Tat It vas our duty, II
possible, to prevent crime. We eject vast
deaI more Sood in this world by preventing
our fellow man from bsxng criminal than
hy permitting the commission Of CRIME Ia