Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-07
SAVED ON THE BRINK.

chant Of this city. called | had then &C
auired q fair experience in my calling, bat
my income from that source had been quite
limited hence my extreme qualification wnen
nv visitor announced that the purpose Of his
visit was business"
The gentleman said that friend OF bis,
Mr. B.. a merchant doing an extensive
business on Lake street. had requested him
10 suggest the name Of a reliable man TO IN
dertake a private investigation. that he had
promised to comply with the request, and
therefore came to me. | asked him II he
knew anything about the character and de
tails Of the case He replied that he did not
Al INV instance the gentleman wrote a letter
of Introduction to Mr. B. which he
handed me, and after receiving my promise
to deliver il without delay he departed
lost no time in communicating with Mr.
B.. sent nv messenger the letter of in
PRODUCTION nclosed In a note Of nv own, re-
1uesting an interview. and in reply was in
vited TO call at his residence that evening at
O'Clock
I was promptly on hand at the designated
time. and was ushered into a 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
re1uiredr | asked, making dive at the busi-
ness In hand.
II wish you to investigate a little matter
for me, he said, land will give you the
cause and details In few words" After a
moments hesitation, which seemed devoted
10 deep thought, he said. "a presume you
are aware Of the character Of our business;
we require a large clerical force in our count
ing room we reward efficiency and zeal with
merited promotion, and many OF our clerks
have acquired their present advanced posi-
tons 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 qualif
cations and who has always, so far as can
Judge. properly performed his whole duty. |
speak Of our cashier He is young, intelli-
gent, with kindly disposition, prompt at
his post and interchangeable in his work Be-
cause Of these qualities and the fact that he
has exercised economy | have felt myself
gradually drawn toward him have taken
deeper interest in him than in many others
In our employ and WAS much gratitied to find
that he had to his or edit neat little sum,
saved out Of his salary Recently, however,
| have noticed that he wears a haggard ex-
When first observed this change it was but
slightly depicted on his countenance, but it
has grown more pronounced from day to day
until now he seems little more than a 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-
siou to look into his personal account in the
ledger and find that from time to time he has
a .
of the 81 80 to his credit a month ago."
what Is your idea of the cause OF this
condition OF thingsF asked
al have no fixed idea" 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 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 ACCESSIBILITY of doing so. OF course,
/ have been more than pleased with this
mark OF confidence, and was so favorably i'm
pressed with his worth that 1 had already
determined that he would be the next to be
admitted to junior copartnership interest
in our establishment. Ny recent discoveries
and the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy | am determined. if 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 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 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
formf
Il have no data upon which to ground a
suspicion his trial balance sheet made three
days ago proves the books and accounts in
good shape, and the cash balance on hand at
that time was correct"
Does he complain Of illness or overworkr
He does not, in fact, when | questioned
IN concerning the cause of his appearance,
his answers seemed rather evasive"
After few moments further conversation
| babe my client good night and departed.
The next day entered the counting room of
Mr., b and asked the clerk AZ one of the
windows 10 give me silver coin for a 80
note. Pointing To another window he said:
The cashier will give 1t to you" / was
about TO have a 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 the aperture designated |
asked Are YOU the cashierf Receiving an
affirmative response requested change for
my paper currency, which request was
silently granted.
The few seconds required by the cashier in
which to gather up the coin and pass it
through th- window sufiiced me to take in"
that gentleman's face that might know 1t
whenever should see it again
spent several days in quiet investigation
and then sought private interview with
the accused After few commonplace re-
marks | took up the matter In hand
Il am messenger appointed to watch you
and gain information concerning your hab-
it's said |, locking steadily in his eyes.
The young man assumed a calmness, but
could not conceal his alarm and deep con-
Germ | had fully determined that the
cashier was not rogue at heart | believed
that he was not confirmed in any vicious
practice. and If his conduct during our inter-
view warranted it | intended to be his friend
have always felt that it was our duty. il
possible, to prevent crime We effect vast
deal more good in this world by preventing
our fellow man from being a 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
practicedl
After moments pause my companion
asked. Who sent YOU TO watch mer
"Oue deeply interested in your welfare
Can you not guess whor' replied
"A ladyT he asked, much agitated.
NO. | answered, and taking the cue, |
added Miss -, of - avenue, so far as
know, is not aware Of nv employment, and
l presume she does not even suspect that
there is cause for it; indeed, would deeply
regret it il she did
He turned his face full upon me and there
was startled and puzzled expression resting
upon it What do you know about that
lady, and why did you mention her when
ASKED If your principal was a ladyr he
asked hastily
II know that you visited her at her home
this evening and have reason to know your
feelings toward the lady" was my response.
had been right in my con lectures and
now knew that had sent a shaft TO a tender
spot and felt assured that this hit would
prove valuable, though silent. adjunct to
the successful execution Of my hastily formed
plan
With q deep sigh Of relief he said; 81 am