The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-07-27
miscellaneous.
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

OHVCO YIN TIE DnINN,
was seated in my office one afternoon in
October, 1884, when an acquaintance, a mer-
chant of this city, called. l had then acquir-
ed fair experience in my calling, but my
! income from that source had been quite
| limited; hence my extreme qualification
! when my 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 on Lake street, had requested him
to suggest the name of reliable man to I'M
dertake private investigation that he had
promised to comply with the request, and
therefore came to me. asked him if he
knew anything about the character and de-
tails Of the case lie replied that he did not
AT my instance the gentleman wrote a letter
of introduction to Mr.. B, which he hand
ed me, and after receiving my promise to de-
liver it without,delay he departed.
lost no time in communicating with Mr..
B.. sent by my messenger the letter of in
PRODUCTION nclosed in note of my own, re-
questng 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 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
required ?" l asked, making a dive ut the
business in hand.
II wish you to investigate a little matter
for me-" he said, land will give you the cause
and details in a few words" After moments
hesitation, which seemed devoted to deep
thought, he said: Il presume you are aware
of bf rl,a ptn # npr bp
a large clerical force in our counting room
we reward efficiency and zeal with merted
promotion, and many Of our clerks have ac-
quircd their present advanced positions
through this system. Among others in our
counting room is one, who has secured his
desk by gradual promotion, u young man
who suenls possessed Of The required Qualifi-
cations and who has always, so far as | can
judge, properly performed his whole duty. /
speak OF our cashier. He is young, intell-
gent, with kindly disposition, prompt at
his post, and indetatigable in his work. Be
cause of these qualities and the fact that he
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 gratfied to
find that he had to his credit a neat little sum,
saved out of his salary. Recently, however,
| have noticed that lie wears a haggard eX-
preston, and the discovery has disturbed me.
When first observed this change 1t was
but slightly depicted on his countenance, but
1t has grown more pronounced from day to
day until now lie seems little more than
shadow Of his former self, and though prompt
at his post and in his work, the old smile
seldom lights up his genial face. have
taken occasion to look into his personal ac-
count in the ledger and find that from time
Il al,
remains Of the 81 900 to his credit a month
ago"
what is your idea of the cause of this
condition of things?" asked.
81 have no fixed idea" Mir replied, and
then added: What puzzles and pains me
is that 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 invested in
vested in shares of building and loan associa-
tons, but never without first consulting me
as to the ACCESSIBILITY of doing 50. 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 de-
termined that he would be the next to be adj
mitted to a junior copartnership interest in
our establishment. My recent discoveries
and the cashiers reticenCe have made me un-
easy. desire you to ascertain what inf1u-
ence has caused the change in his appear
ance, and what he has done with his money.
The only condition thatI 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 re-
quire in the case"
DO you suspect financial trouble in any
form"
81 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"
Does he complain of illness or over
work."
HE does not; in fact, when | questioned
him concerning the cause of his appearance,
his answer seemed rather evasive.
After few moments further conversation
] babe my client good night and departed.
The next day entered the counting room of
Mr. b and asked the clerk at one of the
windows to give me silver coin for a $50
note. Pointing to another window he said
"The cashier will 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 o glimpse of that
Approaching the aperture designated l
asked: Are you the cashier?' Receiving an
affirmative response | requested change for
my paper currency, which request was silent
ly granted.
The few seconds required by the cashier
in which to gather up the coin and pass it
through the window sufficed to "take in"
that gentleman's face that l might know it
whenever should see it again.
spent several days in quiet investigation
and then sought private interview
with the accused. After few commonplace
remarks took up the matter in hand
81 am a messenger appointed to watch you
and gain information concerning your hab
it's" asid l, looking steadily in his eyes.
The young man assumed calmness, but
could not conceal his alarm and deep con-
Germ. had fully determined that the cashier
was not rogue at heart | believed that he
was not confirmed in any vicious practice,
and if facts CLEANED during cur interview war
ranted it intended TO be his friend. ! have al
ways felt it was our duty ,ifpossble,to prevent
crime. We effect a 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 were
more fre0uently nracticel