The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-12-14
SAVED on TIE BRINK.

perience in my ctllla@, iUt ny i.t he
from that source ia3 , go q ttftai
hence my extreme sr.t lea w' riy
visitor announced ,a:-t tie lFpcst OF his
visit was cuisines
The gentleman sud that a friend OF ms,
Mr.. B., a merchant doing an extensive
business on Lake street, Lad requested
him to suggest the ans Of q reliable
man to undertake a private investiga-
ton; that he had promised to comply
with the request, ard therefore came to
me.
Iasked him If lie new anything about
the character and details Of the case. He
replied that he did not. At my instance
the gentleman wrote q letter Of introduce
ton to Mr.. B. which he handed to me,
and after receiving my promise to deliver
it without delay lie departed.
Host no time IN communicating with
Mr.. B. / sent by messenger the letter OF
introduction enclosed in note Of my own,
requesting an interview, and IN reply
was invited to call at his residence that
evening at eight o'clock.
Twas promptly on hand at the desig-
mated time, and was ushered into a com
Portable and we'll appointed little library
room.
Mr.. B. received me cordially, but his
face wore an expression Of much concern.
"For what specific purpose is my ser
vice required" I asked, making a dive at
the business in hand.
Il wish you to investigate 4 little mat
ter for me- he said, and will give you
the cause and details in a few words
After a moments hesitation, which
seemed devoted to deep thought, he said:
81 presume you are aware Of the char
acter of our business; We require a large
clerical force in our counting room; we
reward efficiency and zeal with merited
promotion, and many Of clerks have
acquired their present advanced positions
through this system.
"Among others in our counting room
is one who has secured his desk by grad
ual promotion, q young man who seems
possessed OF the required qualifications
and who has always, so faras l can judge,
properly performed his whole duty. l
speak of our cashier. He is young, intel
ligent, with a kindly disposition, prompt
at his post and interchangeable in his work.
Because of these qualities and the fact
that he has exercised economy | have felt
myself gradually drawn towards him. l
have taken deeper interest in him than in
many others in our employand was much
gratiied to find that lie had to his credit
n neat little sum, saved out Of his salary.
Recently, however. l have noticed that
he wears a haggard expression, aid the
discovery has disturbed ne.
when first l observe this change is
was but slightly depicted OF his coun-
tenance, but it has grown more pro-
nounced from day to day until new Ae
seems little more than 4 shadow Of his
former self, and though prompt at MS
post and in his work the old smile seldom
lights up his genial face. Ih9ve taken
occasion TO look into his personal account
in the ledger and find That from time TO
time he has drawn upon il until now very
little remains of the s. go ID his credit a
month ago.
What is your idea Of the caGsc of this
condition OF things asked.
Il have no fixed idea, Nj. B. replied,
and then added:
what puzzles and pains me IS the fact
that, though lie has authority to pay
Z money standing To the credit OF any
employees account and had a right to
draw his money, he had several times i'll
vested in shares of building and loan as
sociations, but never without first con
sulting me as TO the advisability Of do
ing so.
"Of course, ! have been more than
pleased with this mark Of confidence, and
was 50 ~favorably impressed with his
worth that / had already 6 srnined that
he would be the next to be admitted to
4 junior c-opsrtnerSAip interest in our es-
tablishment. 3iy recent discoveries and
the cashiers reticeacc have made me IN
easy. l am determined, il possible, to
learn the cause Of this change, and there
fore / 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 lie has lone with
his money. The only condition that l in
terpose is that you must make no move
that will disturb him until you hallhave
reported to me. You l18y adapt your
time and method 70 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 fora?''
~ have no data upon which to ground
n suspicion; his trial balance sheet mad
three days ago proves the books and ac-
counts in good shape, and the cash bal
ance on hand st that tia.s was correct"
Doe lie complain OF illness or over
work?n
He does not; in fact, when I CUES
toned him concerning the cause OF his
appearance, his answers seemed rather
ovasive."
After a few moments further converse
ton l babe my client good night and de-
partel.
The next day l entered the counting
room OF Mr.. Z. and asked the CLERK tat one
of the windows to give me silver coin for
Il 20 note.
Pointing to another window he said:
''Thc cashier will give 1t to YOU"
I was about to awe y view of the cash
Ter. This was the purpose l desired to
compass / had not up to that time had
q glimpse Of that gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designated l
Csked:
Arc you the cashierfp
Receiving an affirmative response l re-
cuested change for my paper currency.
which request was silently granted.
The few seconds required by the cashier
10 which to gather up the coin and pass it
through the window sullced me to "take
in'' that g~entleman's face that | might
know it whenever I should see it again.
| spent several days in quiet inves-
tieation and then sought a private inter-
view with the accused. After q few COM
monplacc remarks | took up the matter in
hand.
Il am q messenger appointed to watch
you and gain information concerning
yoar habits, , said |, looking steadily in