Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-11-22
MisctllamenMs.
HAD HIS OWN LAUGH LAST.


clerk in bank at $45 q month. Hi
name was John Brown. At directors
m Getting one day, after the discounts had
been passed upon and the portly direc
tors wore laboriously getting up to 60
the president, who had the ablest ant
most expansive vest of any of them
stopped them.
"By the way" he remarked, 81 have
note from John Brown, one of oul
young men, you know-some of yol
know him-but guess must have lost
it. Anyhow, 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
the increase in the amount of money
handled comes increase in the strain on
his integrity. Seems to think no ought
to be paid for not robbing us. Besides,
he says he can scarcely keep his family
on his salary. | suppose | can answer
it without calling another board meet.
ing he concluded, facetously.
Tell him he oughtn't to have such o
big family" suggested one.
Quote the law against embezz element
to him." said another, and so on, as
they buttoned their overcoats and wen,
ont about their business.
BY and by John Brown got note
like this, signed by the president, and
written on the note paper of the bank
bearing the imposing array of directors
names in neat engraving at the head Of
it:
Mr.. John Broom:
DEAR SIR: In answer to yours oil
even date, am instructed by the board
of directors to say that they can moi
agree with your view of the case. Il is
true that your work has largely increas-
ed with the growth Of the bank under
its present management; but it is moro
than you are able TO do, and no more
than we can find others TO do for the
salary we now pay you. The other
phase of the matter you pres ent-that
we should pay you for the moral wear
and tear in cident to tho temptation to
steal, as well MS for the physical and
mental work you do-has no weight.
Our relations, however pleasant person
ally, are purely a business affair on both
sides. We pay you 80 much money for
SO much work. Your honesty is pre-.
sumed If you should prove dishonest
we would discharge you, and the law
would send you TO prison.
With your family affairs VIC have moth
ing to do, but may suggest to you That
careful economy in small house hold ex-
penditures will result in an annual saw
ing which will perhaps surprise you.
Without referring especially to you--for
| never endeavored to pry into your pri-
vate affairs nor inquired how YOU lived
i may say that in my opinion the pre-
Willing tendency of young people now
adays is to live too high, instead Of be-
ing careful to lay up something for a
rainy day. Yours truly, etc.
The directors hadn't been in session
long the next day when John Brown
opened the door, handed 10 slip of pa
per and walked back to his desk. There
was some silence for minute, then q
murmur, then the clerks outside heard d
chatter Of moving chairs in the board
room, and then u murmur, then the door
opened and two or three voices called
Brown !"
'In moment" answered Brown,
cheerfully, laying blotter between the
leaves Of the book he had been writing
in, aud carefully tucking the pen behind
his ear, as though he were making bis
toilet.
"What do you mean by this p they
demanded, when he appeared in the d.
roctors' room. Telling US there i,
only $9,647 80 of available cash and
suggesting that we get some for The
counter"
'Its So" responded Brown, land
thought you ought to know it before the
money is all checked out. The banl
oughtn't to have to close its doors in th,
middle of the day"
"But according to your statement Of
yesterday and your showing of to-day
business there ought to be 1926, 648
Where is the other quarter of million
We we're just discussing an investmen
for it."
ave invested it myself" repliet
Brown. coolly. sin safe place-$250,
900 Of it. The other twenty cents
took for street-car money. | took
quarter million away with me last even
ing"
"You what?"
81 stole it, in plain English When
| got this response to my note to th
president, but. really, must rene
my suggestion about the ACCESSIBILITY q
getting some cash on the counter. Yo
are very short, and ought to attend to
at once"
Two Of the directors drew their check
on other banks and sent them out, a