Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-06-01

GA BANK IN A HOLE"
DRovERs DEFRAUDED BY AN OLD EN-
PLoYE.
What was that2 The Drovers' Bank
defraudedl Why, he used to be cashier
at the Drovers' Bank. What a long
time it seemed since he had stood at the
cashiers desk, and yet it was only yes
terday. He didn't care now about Mr..
Knicker's note. Beth's message had in
ficted a so much deeper sting that he
had almost forgotten the note, but he
would read the article, and he thought
he should feel pleased to learn that
Knicker had been cheated.
''This morning when p. V. Knicker,
the President of the Drovers' Bank,
reached the Office, he found note tell
ing him that his cashier, John Jones,
was i'll, and would be unable to be at
his desk to-day. Mr.. Knicker is very
careful man in business matters, and he
decided to take the duties of cashier
upon himself until Mr.. Jones was in a
condition to relieve him. He, accord
lngly, unlocked the vaults and prepared
for work. Soon Adam, Mealie & John
son presented check for large amount
and, upon referring to the record of
yesterdays business, Mr.. Knicker found
that a package of ten $1,000 bills had
been deposited. He Immediately de-
cided to use one of those bills in cash
ing the check, and. going to the vault,
removed the package supposed to con-
tain them. In counting the money, he
found nine $1,000 bills and 500 bill.
On investigation it transpired that the
last person who had handled the bills
was John Jones, the cashier. Before
passing into the hands of the cashier,
the bills had, however, been handled by
four subordinates, who reported that
there were ten of the $1,000 notes in the
packet when they saw it. 1t then went
to Mr.. Jones, and one of the clerks hap
pened to be standing near by, when
Jones took it. The clerk noticed par
ticularly that Mr.. Jones seemed to find
it all right, but that instead of pinning
the little slip of paper with the amount
marked on it, which 1t is customary to
place arond packages of money, he with
drew one of the bills and laid the others
loose on his desk. The clerk was then
called to some other part of the room
and can give no further information.
Other evidence conclusively shows that
Notwithstanding Mr.. Jones's previous
integrity he has yielded to temptation
and gone the way of many others. 1t is
mentioned incidentally that that very
morning Mr.. Jones had said he was in
great need of 5000, the exact amount
extracted from the package. Mr..
Knicker in consideration of Jones's
former uprightness and strict discharge
of duty, will not prosecute.
John read this once, twice, three times.
He only uttered two words: "My God"
Falling back in his chair with wide
open eyes he sat staring at the wall.
The clock licked away on the mantel
shelf, the fire grew lower and almost
died, the lamp sputtered and smoked,
but still John Jones sat back in his chair,
staring, staring at the wall. Finally it
gradually became light, and the noise of
traffic began in the street. John moved
uneasily, looked around the room and got
up. His head, he thought, was aching
somewhat harder than on the night be-
fore, and he bathed it. There was spot
| Ou 1llo Jun dlb lO pun O1 u SlCdh IJdlIs
Yes, he was sure his head was aching
harder. What was that noise9 Why, OF
course, some one was knocking at his
door. He would open it and see who il
was-a messenger boy. He took the
message, opened it, and forgot to read
it. He was standing still and wondering
if it was foggy outside or if his eyes were
dim.
"The lady said to wait for an answer, ,
said the boy.
Oh, yes. There was that note. He
would read it.
'DEAR JoHN-Come and see me to day
l cannot believe it. BETH"
Who was Beth2 Oh! he remembered
now she was the girl who had prmised tc
marry him, the thief. The word, ht
thought, sounded we'll, so he said it owe
and over again. Thief Thief! Thief
The boy asked for the answer
"Well, "he laughed wildly, "tell her
will be there"
John sat down again, and again bega1
glaring at the wall. 1t was nearly II
o'clock now, and John got up and pu
on his overcoat and hat, scrupulousl,
brushed them and went out. He agail
took cab and went to Beth's house
This time he paid the cabman, and as HI
went in was about to speak to the serv
ant when he saw that it was Beth her
self who had opened the door. He
however, was not at all surprised, bu
said good morning to her much as b
would have done to the servant.
| Toh I 1aI LaxY
come-why, John, are you ill9"
, He laughed and again said good morn
ing. He preceded her into the parlo
and sat down in the same chair he occu
pied the night before. He was laughin;
, quietly to himself all the time. His hea
was aching terribly now, and that wa
very funny.
"John, dear John, tell me it isn't trEe
I know it is not. | was hasty last night
/ John; won't you forgive me2"
. John looked at her, brushed spec
from his knee, and laughed littl
. louder.
"John, John, why don't you answe
me9 Why don't you tell me it isn't true
{ But no, won't ask that, know
{ isn't" She threw her arms around hir
and sank at his SIDE.
Q He did not move but stopped laugh
ing. Oh how his head did ache Nc
it had stopped aching. Where was he
r Oh yes. Beth was with him and wa
sobbing. Why was she crying2 Fl
didn't remember, but thought that
9 was connected with it some way,
r didn't know how. He lifted her hea
l from his knee, bent down, and kisse
her. Kissed her many times, and Dire
t her up, folding his arms abou
a her and telling her he was sorry. Wht
t he was sorry for he couldn't have said.
s He got up and drawing her to hin