The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-09-01
From the Chicago Times.
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

From the Chicago Times.
SAVED ON THE BRINK.
| was seated in my office one after
noon in October, 1884, when an ac-
quaintanCe, q merchant of this city,
called. | had then acquired n fair eX-
perience in my calling, but my income
from that source had been quite limit
ed; hence my extreme qualification
when my visitor announced that the
purpose of his visit was business"
The gentleman said that friend OF
his, Mr.. Brown, a merchant doing an
extensive business CT Lake Street, had
requested him to ST lest name OF a
reliable man to undertake Il private in
!. vestigatlon; 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
dld not. At my instance the gentleman
wrote Il letter OF introduction to Mr..
Brown, which he handed to me, and
alter receiving my promise to deliver 1t
without delay, he departed.
| lost no time in com municating with
Mr.. Brown. ! sent by messenger the
letter of introduction enclosed in d note
of my own, requesting an interview,
aud in reply was invited to call at his
residence that evening at s o clock.
! was promptly on hand at the desig-
mated time, and was ushered into a
comfortable and well appointed little
library room.
MIR. Brown received me cordially,
but his flce wore an expression of much
concern.
For what specific purpose is my ser
vice required ?'' | asked, making a dive
at the business in hand.
Il wish you to investigate little
matter for me" he said, land will give
you the cause and details III a few
words"
After a moments hesitation, which
seemed devoted to deep thought, ne
said: Il presume you are aware OF the
character OF our business; we require a
large clerical force in our counting
room; we reward efficiency and zeal with
meiited promotion, and many of our
clerks have acquired their present adj
vanced POSITION through this system.
Among others in our counting room is
one who has secured his desk by grad
ual promotion, young man who seems
bpooCsSCti VI Tue
and who has always, 50 far as can Judge,
l speak of the cashier. He is young,
intelligent, with kindly disposition,
prompt to his post and interchangeable in
his work. Because OF those qualities
and the fact that he has exercised econ
omy, | have felt myself gradually
drawn toward him. | have taken deep
er interest in him than in many others
In our employ and was much gratlfied
TO find that he had to his credit a neat
little sum, saved out of his salary. Re-
Gently, however, | have noticed that he
wears a haggard expression, and the
discovery has disturbed me. When
first | noticed this change it was but
slightly depicted on his countenance,
but 1t has grown more pronounced from
dav to day until 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 occasion to
look into his personal account in the
ledger, and find that from time TO time
he has drawn upon 1T until now very
little remains of the 81 800 to his credit
month ago.
.'What is your idea of the cause OF
this condition of things ?' | asked.
II have no fixed idea" Mr. Brown
replied, and then added: 'What puz-
zles 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 right t.
draw his money, he had several times
invested in shares of building and loan
associations, but never without first
consulting me as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
doing so. OF course, have been more
than pleased with this mark of conf
dence, and was SO favorably impressed
with his worth that | had already de-
termined that he should be the next to
be admitted to Junior copartnerShip
interest IN our establishment. Nv recent
discoveries and the cashiers reticence
have nave ma lie me uneasy. de
termined, 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 in
huence has caused the change in his
appearance, and what he has done with
his money. The only condition that |
lnterpose is that YOU must make no
move that will disturb him until YOU
shall have reported TO me. You NAV
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 form ~
4 have no data upon which to ground
suspicion; his trial balance sheet
made three days ago, proves the books
and accounts to be In good shape,
and the cash balance on hand at thai
time was correct"
Does he complain OF illness OF
overwork ~
"He does not; in fact, when | ques
toned him concerning the cause of his
appearance, his answer seemed rather
eyasiveH
After a few moments further con.
Versauon | babe my client good night
and departed. The next day | entered
the counting room of Mr.. Brown and
asked the clerk at one of the windows
to give me silver com for a $50 note
Pointing to another window, he said
The cashier will give it to YOU"
wasabout to have view of the cashier
This was the purpose desired to com.
pesS. ! had not up to that time had q
glimpse OF that gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designat-
ed, | asked: Are YOU the cashier -
Receiving an affirmative response, re,
quested change for my paper money
which request was silently granted.
The few seconds required by the
cashier in which to gather up the coir
and pass it through the window suf
feed me to take in" that gentleman.
face, that | might know it whenever
should see 1t again.
spent several days in quiet investi
CATION, and then sought private inter
view with the cashier. After a few
commonplace remarks | took up the
matter in hand
am messenger appointed Il
witch you and gain information con
&C. ming your habits said /, lookin!
ste Oily i'll his ewes.
Tie young man assumed a calmness
but could not conceal his alarm ant
deep concern. | had fully determine,
that the cashier was not rogue a
heart. | believed that he was not con
lrmed IN any vicious practice. and i
his conduct during our interview war
ranted it, l intended To be his friend
| have always felt that ii was our duty