Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-06
JOHN SMITH, CLERK.
A Modern Fable, the Moral c
 Which Is Left to the Reader.

Once there was a man. He was 0 clerk In 2 bank at forty five dollars a month. His name was John Smith. At directors meeting one day, after the discounts had been passed upon and the portly directors were laborlously getting up to go, the presi- dent, who had the ablest and most expan- sive vest of any of them, stopped them.
 By the way" he remarked, II have 8 note from John Smith, one of our young men, you know-some of you know him-but guess must have lost it. Any how, he wants his salary raised. Says the business of the bank Is four times what it used to be and his work has increased accordingly. Says with increase in the amount of money handled comes increase in the strain on his integrity. Seems to think he ought to be paid for not robbing us. Beside, he says he can scarcely keep his family on his salary l suppose I can answer it without calling another board meeting," he concluded, lacetiously.
 ''Tell him he oughtn't to have such big family" suggested one.
 "Quote the law against embezzlement to him, ," said another, and so on, as they but toned their overcoats and went out about their business.
 this, signed by the president and written
 
 imposing array of directors names in neat engraving at the head of It.:
 "MR JOHN SMITH-Dedr Sir: In answer to yours of even date, am instructed by the board of directors to say that they can not agree with your view of the case. It is true that your work has largely increased with tho growth of the bank under its present sue cessful management. But 1t is no more than you are able to do. and no more than we can Ind others to do for tho salary we now pay you. The other phase of the matter you pre- sent, that we should pay you for the moral wear and tear incident to resisting temptation to steal as well as for the physical and men tai work you do, has no weight Our relations, however pleasant personally. are purely 8 business affair on both sides. We yyou so much money for so much work. Your honesty is presumed If you should prove dishonest we would discharge you, and the law would send you to prison.
 'With your family affairs we have nothing to do. but may suggest to you that careful economy in small household expenditures will result in an annual saving which will. perhaps surprise you. Without referring especially to you-for never endeavorcd to pry into your private affairs. nor inquired how you Nved-I may say that, in my opinion. tho prevailing tendency of young people nowadays is to live too high, 1nstead of being careful to lay up something for rainy day
 "Yours truly etc." The directors hadn't been in session long the next day when John Smith opened the door, handed in Q slip of paper, and walked back to his desk. There was silence for a | minute, then Q murmur, then the clerks outside heard clatter of moving chairs in | the board-room, and then the door opened l and two or three voices called "Smith!' "In moment" answered Smith, cheer 1 fully, laying a blotter between the leaves of | the book he had been writing in, and care | fully tucking the pen behind his ear, as | though he were making his toilet l "What do you mean by this!" they de- 1 handed when he appeared in the directors room. ''Telling us there is only se, ,647. 80 of available cash, and suggesting that we get some for the counter"
 .'Its so," responded Smith, ''and l thought you ought to know 1t before the money Is all checked out. The bank ouRhtn't to have to close its doors in the middle of the day"
 l "But according to your statement of yes terday and your showing of to-day's busi- ness there ought to be $259,6 Where is the quarter of a milhon3 Wewere just dis cussing an investment for itl"
 sspvs invested it myself," responded Smith, coolly, 'in @ safe place-s25O, 900 of It. The other twenty cents took for street-car money. I took 6 quarter of @ million away | with me last evening""
 | "t Ou WQ8tt
 "l stole it, in plain English. When I got this response to my note to the president but really I must renew my suggestion about the advisability of getting some cash on the counter. You are very short, and you ought to attend to it at once."
 Two of the directors drew their checks or other banks and sent them out, although
 the signatures were very shaky; and then
 quito at his ease, MT. Smith leaned uI
 against the carved mantel- piece, read the
 presidents note refusing his request fol
 an increase and went on:
 ssWhen got this note it set me to think
 ing whether, as our relations were 8 purely
 business affair, couldn't do better than gt
 on as had been doing. There were $25O,
 900 in convenient shape that could get n,
 hands on. I might have skipped to Csnads
 with it, but don't like the climate. tool
 the money away with me and concealed
 it'-pausing for . moment and smilint
 down in their eager faces, fn p!ac'
 known only to myself. shall give mysel
 up, and as our relations, in the language o
 the president, hnve been 'personall.
 pleasant will save you the expense of {
 trial by pleading guilty. The maximum
 sentence for my offense, under the laws o
 the State, is ten years in the penitentiary
 With the communication of for good behavior
 it will be about eight and a half years. 1
 will be dull, but shall not be idle. hay
 never had leisure to cultivate the graces o the mind have taste for music. 1wil
 cultivate 1t. I will learn modern languag