The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-15

change for my paper currency, WHICH
request was silently granted.
The few seconds required by the
cashier in which to gather mp the coin
and pass it through the window sufhceo
me to stake in" that gentleman's face
that I might know it whenever should
see it again.
81 spent several days in quiet investi-
CATION and then sought private inter
view with the accused. After few
commonplace remarks l took up the
matter in hand.
"I am messenger appointed to watch
YOU and gain information concerning
your habits" said I, looking steadily IN
his eyes.
The Young man assumed a calmness,
but could not conceal his alarm and
deep concern. 1 had fully determined
that the cashier was not rogue at heart.
I believed that he was no. confirmed IN
any vicious practice, and if his conduct
during our interview warranted 1t l In
tended to be his friend. I have always
felt that it was our duty, if possible. to
prevent crime. We effect vast deal
more good in this world by preventing
our fellowman 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 frequently practiced!
After a moments pause my companion
asked: "Who scnt you to watch me-"
zone deeply interested in your wei
fare, Can YOU guess whol' replied.
"a lady?" he asked, much agitated.
"No," answered, aud taking the cue,
7 added: "Miss - of - avenue, so
far as I know, is not aware OF my EN-,
ployment, and presume she does not
even suspect that there is cause for it;
indeed, / would deeply regret it If she
did" :,
He turned his face full upon me and
there was startled and puz lied express
sion resting upon it. "What do you
know about that lady, and why did you
mention her when asked if your princi-
pal was lady9" he asked, hastily.
81 know that you visited her at her
home this evening, and have reason to
know your feelings toward the lady,"
was my response.
I had been right in my ccnjectures,
and now knew that had sent shaft to
a tender spot and felt assured that this
hit would prove valuable, though
silent. adjunct to the successful execu-
ton of my hastily formed plan.
With deep sigh of relief he said: 81
am glad of it," and then, after pause,
asked again: 'Who sent you"
"Who else can be so deeply interested
in vou:" said I. II will tel you who
authorized me to follow your movements
while away from the Office, but I will
precede the information by the state
ment that my employer is prompted by
the deepest concern IN your Dehalf. Mr..
B. is the individual" said, but the
Young mans alarmed countenance
urged NE to add: "Yet he does not sus-
pect what have discovered; he is es.
pecially alarmed about the great change
noted in your appearance, and commits.
stoned me to adopt my own method and
time in making the investigation. 10
execute this commission l determined to
keep you under my surveillance, though
I scarcely expected developments so
soon.'
"I presume you will report your dis
covery to MIR. B. at once2" he interro.
gated, with apparent alarm.
"Not necessarily l replied, briefly
"Can my exposure be prevented!" he
quickly asked.
That depends" 1 answered. The
cashier impulsively thrust his hand into
the breast pocket of his coat and drew
forth a roll of bills. Turning to me,
with extending arm, the money grasped
in his hand, be said, excitedly, "You
are welcome to this, but for Gods sake
don't expose me; it will ruin me for.
ever"
Restraining my indignation as much
as possible, I said: "Your proposition
is an unworthy of you as it would be un-
worthy of me to accept it," My words
stunned him, and an expression of dejec-
tion and lost hope overcast his counte-
nance. Seeing the effect my speech had,
added earnestly: II will be your friend
and save you if you will comply fully
with my demands
A CLEAN of hope instantly shone on
his countenance, and he added, rather
demurely: "What do you demand2"
Looking him earnestly in the eyes 1
answered: THAT you tell me tluthfully
how YOU came to visit faro bank, how
long the visits have been indulged in,
how often and with what result"
TO sum up his statement briefly, but
which he gave in detail. he said that he
went with friend one night out of Gu
riosity; that the game was fascinating;
that he commenced by buying s. worth
of checks; he won $40; visited the place
again few nights after and tried his
luck, but this time lost $25. He re-
peated his visit two nights following
with like result, then the fascination
and determination to recover his small
loss impelled him to 60 again, each time
meeting with loss and each succeeding
loss being greater than the last, until he
visited the place almost nj ghtly, and fin
ally realized that he had drawn out
nea ly all of his cash balance in the Office,
bes des having hypothecated some shares
of stoc1 owned by him. The loss caused
him much regret, but he had spent many
see ,icss nights because of remorse when
it fully dawned upon him that he was
living lie and that the confidence re-
,sed in him by Nlr. B. and Miss -
would be instantly Withdrawn and sum-
mary dismissal from both follow, me IN
ing, of course, d sgrace. He had used
his own Money; he had not goae far
onouph in hic reclle ssness to f lcb