Wichita eagle., 1889-05-12
A COMPETENT CLERK.
But Ee Had a Dangerous Weak
ness for Cipher kilograms.

had engaged new clerk. he was,
confess, the best penman l had ever seen,
and being thoroughly acquainted with the
art of double-entry bookkeeping, filled the
position for which had employed him with
entire satisfaction TO myself. Aside from
his work, there was something about the
Young man | did not exactly Ikea pecul-
lar, reserved way with him that, during his
stay with me, / never understood, and /
suppose might always have remained in
ignorance concerning its meaning he'd not
the circumstance I am about TO relate
thrown some light upon his true character.
One forenoon, about two weeks after the
engagement of my new clerk, had occa-
sion, while he was absent, to go TO his desk,
and saw, living on the floor just beneath it
a half-sheet of foolscap paper, on which
were inscribed, in my book keepers hand
writing, the following characters. which
appeared to constitute key to some secret
record or cores ondence:
u IS 10 II 4 is 10 20 q
! u
8 % 90 10 81 25 II u IS q l3
par st U Wv " &
On what slight incidents are great
events often basedi l carelessly put the
piece of paper into my pocket, where it lay
for months forgotten by myself, TO be
brought forth at last as the instrument
wherewith two great villains were brought
20 Justice, and as the means by which was
saved the loss of a large sum Of money.
One day after the banks were closed was
paid the sum of $1,000, which l placed
within a drawer IN my small Office safe, in
tending il should remain there over night,
and the next day l would put it on deposit
Gamnett (my new clerk was present,
and appeared very observant of what | was
doing-following my every motion with an
eager, nervous, excited glance, which, al
though il attracted my attention at the time,
did not impress me as matter of much i'm
portance, and was soon out Of my mind;
though afterward had cause TO remember
it very distinctly.
"Gamnett," said l, as l swung to the
safe-door, locked it carefully and put the
kew in my pocket (by the way, may as well
state here that was the only one who had
a key)-"Gamnett, you know, of course,
about the money, and to insure its safety 1
wish you would do me a favor"
II am readyto oblige at any moment
the present none the less" said he.
"Wen, Them said l, Il would like to
have YOU sleep in the Office all night and
guard against burglars. on can sleep on
the couch and keep the fire burning, so you
will be warm and comfortable. You may
take nv rug, and every thing viii be al
right. OF course shall pay you extra for
the trouble"
1T will be a happiness 10 do So" said
Gamnett, somewhat eagerly, l afterward
thought. Il care not for extra pay"
Il am sorry to have TO cause you so much
trouble and Inconvenience sad /, graft
fed at the readiness with which he &C
cuiesced, land hope 1t viii not often occur.
BY the way, Gamnett," l added, putting on
nv oyercoat, Il shall not be back at the Of
fee tonight, for am going TO town by the
five o'clock train. You and Wilson can see
70 things while l am gone, though / shall
probably return tomorrow. Good night"
GOOD night Mr.. Parker. You can de.
pend upon my faithfully carrying out your
directions"
The unusual cordially with which he
spoke, combined with the fact that he made
use of nv name for the first time in my re-
membrance, occasioned me some surprise;
however, l soon left him at the desk, and,
wrapping my overcoat closely around me,
went out into the cold wlntry air and wend-
ed nv way homeHard.
After partaking of warm, hearty meal.
I proceeded 10 the station and took the FIVE
o'clock train for town, where I arrived two
hours later.
In nv Younger days had been employed
in Autograph Office, and had become com
petent operator, though for various reasons
did not like the business, and, after hav-
ing worked at it for a few years, resigned
my position to engage in something more
congenial to my taste. Among the many &C
Qualntances l had formed AZ that time was
that OF q young fellow by the name OF Tay-
lor, who was also an operator, and, at the
time OF which write, was employed by the
telegraph company in their Office, wneTe,
for old acquaintance sake, called without
ae-ay, and found him seated by his lnstru-
ment engaged in the perusal Of the even
ing paper.
Taylor" said I, advancing toward him,
show are your
"Halloo, Parker, is that youl" he ex-
claimed, rising from his seat "Giye US
your fin, old fellow, and say, how goes it,"
First rate" replied, shaking hands;
"you still keep at the old occupation, 1 see"
"Yes. and probably ALWAYS shall Here