Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-09-28
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

was seated i'll my Office one afternoon
in October, 1884, when an acouaint.
ancc, n merchant of this city, called l
hal then acquired fair experience in
my calling, but my income from that
source had been quite limited; hence
my extreme graf fication when my visitor
announced that the purpose of his visit
was business"
The gentleman sad that friend of
his. MIR. b., n merchant doing an extern
slvc business on Lake street, had re-
oucsted him TO suggest the name of Il
reliable man to undertake private in
vestigation; that he had promised to
comply with the request, and therefore
came to me. l asked him if he knew
anything about the character and details
OF the place. He replied that he did
not AT my instance the gentleman
wrote letter of introduction to Mr.. b.
which he handed to me, and after re.
cciving my promise to deliver it, with
out word he departed
lost no time i'm communicating with
MIR. b. l sent by messenger the letter
OF introduction enclosed, in note of
my own, requesting al interview, and
in reply was invited to call at his resi-
''''-N az " ClOCh.
l was promptly on hand ut the dcsio-
mated time, and was ushercd into com
Portable and well appointed little library
room.
Mr.. B. received me cordially, but his
lace wore an expression of much con-
Germ.
"For what specific purpose is my ser
wee reguiIodf" asked, making dive
ut the business in hand.
III wish you to investigate n little
matter for mo" he said, 'and will give
you the cause and details IN few words"
Alter moments hesitation, which
seemed devoted to deep thought, he
said; 81 presume you are aware of the
character of our business; VIC require n
large clerical force in our counting oom;
we reward efficiency and zeal with
meritcd promotion, and many of our
clerks have acquired their present adj
yanced positions through this system.
Among others in our counting room is
one who has secured his desk by gradual
promotion, young man who seems pos-
sesscd OF the required qualifications and
who Inns always, SO far rs can Judge.
properly performed his whole duty.
speak of our cashier. lie is young, in
telliSent, with n kindly disposition,
prompt at his post and interchangeable in
his work. Because of these qualities and
the TACT that he has exercised economy I
have felt myself gradually Drawn toward
him. l have taken deeper interest in
him than in many others in our employ.
and was much gratiicd to find that he
mad to his credit neat little sum, saved
out of his salary. Recently. however
have noticed that he wears a happard
expression, and the dis .ovcry hns dis.
turbed me. When first l observed this
change it was but slightly depicted on
his countenancc, but it has grown more
pronounced from day to day, until now
nc seems little more than a shadow of
his former self, and though PROMPT Mt
his post aud i'll his work the old smile
seldom lights up his genial face. have
taken occasion 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 $1,000 to
his credit month ago."
What is your idea of the cause of this
condition of things2" / asked.
II have no fixed idea," Mr.. B. replied
and then added: "What puzzles and
pains nc is the fact that, though he has
authority to pay out none; standing to
the credit OF any employees account and
mas right 10 draw his money, he has
several times invested in shares of build
ing and loan associations, but never with
out ilrst consulting me rs to the advisa-
Dility OF doing SO. OF course, I have
been more pleased with this mark of
confidence, and was so favorably i'm
pressed with his worth that had already
determined that he would be the next to
DC admitted to junior COMMUNICATIONS
terest in our establishment. My recent
discoveries and the cashiers reticenca
have made me uneasy. am determined
IL possible, to learn the cause of This
change, and therefore 1 have sent for
you to look into the case for me. de.
sire yod 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 disturh
him until you shall have reported to me
You may adapt 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 form2"
81 have no data upon which to ground
a suspicion; his trial balan &c sheet made
three days ago proves the books and ac
counts in good shape, and the cash
balance on hand at that time was cor.
rect"
"Does he complain of illness or over.
work2"
"He does not in Sact when oue,
toned him concerning the cause of hi.
appearance, his answers seemed rathe
evasive."
After few moments further converse
ton bade my client good night and
departed. The next day I entered tn,
counting room Of Mr. B. and asked the
clerk at one of the windows to give m,
silver coin for $40 note. Pointing t.
another window he said: "The casbie,
will give 1t to you" was about to have
q view of the cashier. This was the Dur
pose ] desired TO compass. 1 had no
up to that time had q glimpse of tina
gentlcman's face.
Approaching the aperture designated
esked; care you the cashier" Rcceiv.