The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-05-30

invite, with their families, were pres
ent
II was an occasion after Richard
Perchmonts heart Where else coull
the humble employees be SO duly inn
pressed with his importance? Ton
Wilgus needed such impressins more
than any, for he had SO far forgotten
himself several times as to call hin
Dick, - and hs determined to impair
. lesson.
He did not accompany his mother
and sister. Sophia had proclaimed
that she would not go without hi.
escort What would the dinner BIZ
without herr What is day without
sunshine? What is Hamlet without
Hamlet? He obeyed, still thinking
poor fool, that it was his own delight
full free will.
Whether the assembled employees
were properly awed by his imposing
entrance is not known, but certain II
il that Joshua-like surprise caused
this society sun to stand still
stunned.
In q select little Sydney
Deaker emiling his interest; his kindly
little wife beaming her admiration
Dicks mother and sister flushed with
worthy pride-sat Annie Jermyn tell.
ing story.
In sullen wonder he stood apart,
noting the good impression Annie was
making, and when the story ended In
. burst Of applause the party sep.
arated. and old Sydney proudly led
Annie through the rooms on q tour Of
introduction. He instantly sought his
mother and asked:
How did Annie get hereF'
She looked mild resentment at him,
and quietly replied:
MR. Wilgus brought her."
Where is hep"
He excused himself for time.
believe he said hc had work at the Of.
fice.n
THAT fellows too slow for our pul'.
poses," Richard muttered. following
old Deaker and Annie with wonder.
ing eyes; then turned at Sophia 4
order. She said:
Come for a walk in the hall.
Where have you been SO long? Ican's
endure this room! 1t is filled with
those low clerks. hope when you
get to be q senior you'll stop these dis
gushing mixtures. !"
She spoke angrily, but Dick thought
he detected anxiety. too, in her man.
ner AZ they promenadcd the hall she
grew quite restless, and plainly anx-
ious He walked quietly by her,
thinking Of old Deaker and Annie. and
too ill-humored to ask the cause Of her
nervousness.
They walked into the sitting-room
at the end Of the hall, and from there
heard the servant admit some one ut
the front door.
There's papa, now!' Sophia cx-
claimed, brightening; and Dick. re-
that the gathering did lack
a customary brilliancy. saw that this
had been the cause Of her anxiety.
1t was not the gorgeous Emmert
who had arrived, but pleading Tom
Wilgus, greatly excited, with face
spotted red by unusual exertion.
Where are Mr.. Alfred and Edward
they heard him ask.
Both gentlemen fastened from an
room, and Sydney appeared.
startled, at the parlor door.
Il must have an interview with
you, gentlemen, at once" Tom said.
Sophia, trembling, caught Richards
arm.
Where is Emmert?" asked the old
as he and his two sons,
with Dick and Wilgus. entered the
library and closed the door.
HE hasn't been here" Edward re-
piled. Nov, Wilgus, what is it?"
Then Tom slowly told how he had
watched Emmert's extravaganza, and.
knowing that he had lost heavily in a
ate speculation and needed funds to
save himself. he had come to suspect
him. and had only that evening fin
shed q careful examination Of En-
merits books as treasurer of the firm.
He was in his Office this evening
while was there" continued Tom,
and rushed out past me, trying to
hide his face, but Isaw it was pale and
excited. ! hurried TO his Office and
found his check-book. Three checks
we're just torn out, leaving the stubs
blank"
"Well, well.' they all cried, as Tom
paused.
Cant you guess. gentlemen? To
meet the heavy expenses Of our new
building. Emmert has collected all
The available funds in three banks"
.'But he couldn't use the checks
said Edward. confidently. 1.-The banks
Ill know that our checks must be
signed by two members Of the firm"
From the sofa came a grOan; Rich
ard had sunk upon it, wringing his
hands.
Il have reason to know, gentlemen,
that those three checks were signed
by Emmert and-and Parchment"
I'VE are lost, then. Father, have
you funds at commapd? We have
heavy obligations.
II tied up the last available fumes
yesterday"
mo, not lost, gentlemen said
Tom. Il followed Emmert to his
home and forced an entrance. He
was packing sacheL There was
struggle; but here are the checks"
He produced them, and sank ex-
into chair.
An explanation from Dick was de-
manded, which was that Emmert,
working upon his infatuation for So
phia. had induced him to sign the
checks, but he earnestly asserted that
he was entirely innocent as to their
purpose.
lin fact" said old Sydney, ..your
head has been turned. I've been