The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-01-04
SAVED On TiIn BRINK.

periencc in my e~tiling, lat my irrame
from that source I'd lreH CT te Fi;ttttd;
hence my extreme gfliil.tu IN VII II ny
visitor announced tjHit the PURPOSE OF his
visit was cuisines.
The gentleman sud that II friend of his,
Mr.. B., u merchant doing an extensive
business on Lake street. lad requested
him to suggest the name of II reliable
man to undertake n private investiga-
ton; that he had promised to comply
with the request, and therefore came to
me.
1 asked him If he new anything about
the character and details of the case. lie
replied that he did not. At my instance
the gentleman wrote n letter of introduce
ton to MIR. B. which he handed to me,
and after receiving my promise to denver
it without delay he departed
lost no time in communicating with
Mr.. B. sent by messenger the letter oil
introduction enclosed in anote OF my own,
requesting an interview, and IN reply
was invited to call at his residence thae
evening at eight O'Clock.
was promptly OH hand at the desig-
mated time and was ushered into n conf
Portable and well appointed little library
room.
MI. d. TeCelNtus ihC Noip-"htf 80
face wore an expression Of much concern.
''For what specific purpose is my ser
vice reuuired?" / asked, making Il dive at
the business in hand.
II wish you to investigate q little mat
ter for me" lie said, 'sand will give yea
the cause and details in q few words"
After a moments hesitation, which
seemed devoted to deep thought, he said'
"I presume you are aware of the char
acter of our business; We require n 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 grad
ual promotion, Il young maj who seems
possessed of the required qualifications
and who has always, SO far as L can Judge,
properly performed his whole duty. l
speak of ou- cashier. He is young, intel
ligent, with a kindly disposition, prompt
at his post and interchangeable in his work.
because of these qualities and the fact
that he has exercised economy | have felt
myself gradually drawn towards him. l
have taken deeper interest in him than in
many others in our employ and was much
gratifed to find that he had to his credit
aneat little sim, saved out Of his salary.
Recently, however, | have noticed that
he wears a haggard expression, and the
discovery has disturbed me.
s'When first | observe this change il
was but slightly depicted on his coun-
enancc, but it has grown more pro-
nounced from day to day until now lie
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. l have taken
occasion to look into his personal account
in the ledger and find that from time to
time he has drawn upon it until now very
little remains of the s., 800 to his credit u
month ago"
"What is your idea Of the cause of this
condition of things?' | asked.
"Ihave no fixed idea Nj. &. 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 Il right to
draw his money, he had several times in
vested in shares of building and loan as
sociations, but never without first con-
sulting me as to the advisability of do
ing so.
"Of course, l nave been more than
pleased with this mark of confidence, and
was SO fayorably impressed with his
worth that | had alreadyCe ,rmined that
he would be the next to be admitted to
a junior ~copartnership interest in our es-
tablishment. My recent discoveries and
the cashiers reticence have made me I'M
easy. I am determined, if possible, to
- IL - =. l,,-r I'D ,Lnra
fore / have sent for you to look into the
case for me. l desire you to ascertain
what influence has caused the change in
his appearance, and he has done with
his money. The only condition that l in
terpose is that you must make no move
that will disturb him until you shall have
reported to me. You may adapt 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
500 you suspect financial trouble in
any FORM"
II have no data upon which to ground
suspicion; his trial balance sheet made
three days ago proves the books and ac-
counts in good shape, and the cash bal
a14ce on hand at that time was correct"
"Does he complain of illness or over
works'
"IIe does not; in fact, when ! CUES
toned him concerning the cause Of his
appearance, his answers seemed rather
evasive."
After u few moments further CONVERSE
ton l badc MY client good night and de-
parted.
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
u go note.
Pointing to another window he said:
1.-The cashier will give 1t to you"
was about to have n view of the cash
iar. This was the purpose l desired to
compass. / had not up to that time had
u glimpse OF that gentleman's face.
Approaching the aperture designated I
asked:
Are you the cashier?"
Receiving an affirmative response | re-
Guested 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 the window suliced me to take
inn that gentleman's face that | might
know it whenever / should see it again.
| spent several days in quiet inves-
tigation and then sought a private inter
view with the accused. After a few COM
monplace remarks l took up the matter in
hand.
Il am q messenger appointed to watch
you and gain information concerning
your habits, - said |, hooking steadily in