The Lambertville record., 1888-08-01
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

October, 1884, when an acquaintance mer
chant of this city, called | had then nc
! quired a fair experience in my calling, buI
my income from that source had been quite
limited; hence my extreme qualification whei
my visitor announced that The purpose of hi
visit was s'businessn
The gentleman said that friend of his
Mr. b., a merchant doing an extensive
! business on Lake street, had requested hin
to suggest the name Of reliable man to un
dertalSe a 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, He replied that he did not
At my instance the gentleman wrote letter
Of Introduction to Mr. b., which be
handed me, and after receiving my promise
to deliver it without delay he departed.
lost no time in communicating with Mr.
B.. | sent my messenger the letter of in.
PRODUCTION inclosed in a note of my own, re-
questing an interview, and In reply was in.
vited to call at his residence that evening at
8 o'clock.
wns 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
requiredf' asked, making dive at the bust
ness in hand.
II wish you to investigate little matter
for me- he said, "and will give you the
cause and details In few wordsn After a
moments hesitation, which seemed devoted
to deep thought, he said: Il presume you
are aware Of the character OF our business;
we require large clerical force inour 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 qualih-
cations and who has always, so far as l can
judge, properly performed his whole duty !
speak OF our cashier. He is young, intelli-
gent, with a kindly disposition, prompt at
his post, and indefatigablei in his work. Be
cause Of these qualities and the fact that he
has exercised economy l 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 edit neat little sum,
saved out of his salary. Recently, however,
4
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
Hntil now he 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 occa-
sion to look into bis personal account in the
| ledger and find that from time to time he has
drawn upon it until now very little remains
of the 1890 to his credit month ago.
"What is your idea of the cause OF this
condition of thingsr' asked.
II have no fixed idea,n Mr. B. replied,
and then added; "What puzzles and pains
me is the 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 in
vested:in shares OF building and loan associa-
tions, but never without first consulting me
as to the advisability of doing so. or course,
have been moro than pleased with this
mark Of confidence, and was SO favorably i'm
pressed with his worth 1t had already
determined that he would b, se next to be
admitted to junior copartne hip interest
In our establishment. My receac discoveries
and the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy. l am determined, il possible, to
learn the cause OF this change, and therefore
have sent for you to look into the case for
me. desire you to ascertain what influence
has caused tho 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 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 require in the
case"
"Do you suspect financial trouble in any
formfn
81 have no data upon which to ground q
suspicion; his trial balance sheet made three
days ago proves the books and accounts in
good shape, and the cash balance OH hand at
that time was correct"
"Does he complain of illness or overworkr
"He does not; in fact, when questioned
him concerning the cause OF his appearance,
his answers seemed rather evasive."
After q few moments further conversation
| bade 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 500
note. Pointing to another window no said:
'The cashier will give Ii to you.v was
about to have view Of the cashier. This
was the purpose desired to compass had
not up to that time had glimpse Of that
gentleman's face.
Approaching tho aperture designated
asked: "Arc you the cashierP' Receiving an
affirmative response requested change for
my paper currency, which request was
silently granted. w A@a aA
The few seconds required by the cashier in
which to gather up the coin and pass It
through the window sufiiced me to stake in"
that gentleman's face that might know it
whenever should see 1t again.
lspent several days In quiet investigation
and then sought o private interview with
the accused After a few commonplace re-
marks took up the matter In hand.
u am messenger appointed to watch you
and gain information concerning your hab-