The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-04
SAVED 0U THE BRINK.

I was seated in my office one after noon in October, 1884, when an ae- quaintance, merchant of this city, called. had then acquired fair ex- perience in my calling, but my income from that source had been quite linn ited; hence my extreme qualification when my visitor announced that the purpose of his visit was "business."
 The gentleman said that a friend of his, MT. B., merchant doing an ex- tensive business on Lake street, had requested him to suggest the name of a reliable man to undertake private investigation; that he had promised to comply with the request, and there- fore came to me. I asked him if he knew anything about the character and details of the case. He replied that he did not. At my instance the gentleman wrote letter of ,introduc- tion to MT. B. which he handed me, and after receiving my promise to de- liver it without delay he departed.
 l lost no time in communicating with Mir. B. l sent by messenger the letter of introduction enclosed in a note of my own, requesting an inter- view, and in reply was invited to call at his residence that evening at eight o'clock.
 was promptly on hand at the des- ignated time, and was ushered into comfortable and well appointed little library room.
 MT. B. received me cordially, but his face wore an expression of much concern.
 "For what specific purpose is my service required?" I asked, making 8 dive at the business in hand
 "I wish you to investigate little matter for me-" he said, "and will give you the cause and details in few words" After moments hesitation, which seemed devoted to deep thought, he said "I presume you are aware of the character of our business |; we require large clerical force in our counting room; we reward efficiency and zeal with merited promotion, and many of our clerks have acquired their present advanced positions through this system. Among others in our counting room is one who has secured his desk by gradual promotion, a young man who seems possessed of the required qualifications and who has always, so far as 1 can judge, properly performed his whole duty. I speak of our cashier. He is young, in- telligent, with kindly disposition, prompt at his post and indefatigable in his work. Because of these quali- ties and the fact that he has exercised economy have felt myself gradually drawn towards 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 credit neat little sum, saved out of his salary. Recently, however, have noticed that he wears a haggard ex- pression, and the discovery has dis turbed me. When first observed this change it was but slightly depicted on his countenance, but it has grown more pronounced from day to day un- til 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 ge- nial face. I 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 $500 to his credit month ago."
 "What Is your idea of the cause of this condition of things2" I asked.
 "I have no fixed idea," MT. B. re- piled, 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 invested in shares of building and loan associa- tions, but never without first consult ing me as to the advisability of doing 90. Of course, have been more than pleased with this mark of confidence and was 90 favorably impressed with his worth that l had already deter mined that he would be the next to be admitted to . junior copartnership in- terest in our establishment. My re- cent discovery and the cashier's reti- cence have made me unnsy. lam de- termined, if possible, to learn the cause of this change, and therefore have sent for you to look into the case for me. I desire you to asosrtain what influence has caused the change In hii