The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-01-02
A NARROW ESCAPE.


perience in my calling, but my income
from that source had been quite
limited; hence my extreme gratitica-
ton when my visitor announced that
the purpose of his visit was "busi-
ness"
The gentleman said that friend
of his, Mr.. b, a merchant doing
an extensive business on Lake street,
had requested him to suggest the
name of a reliable man to undertake
a private investigation; that he had
promised to comply with the request,
and therefore came to me. | asked
him If he knew anything about the
character and details of the case.
He replied that he did not. At my
instance the gentleman wrote let
ter of Introduction to Mr.. b,
which he handed me, and after re-
ceiying my promise to- deliver it with
out delay he departed.
| lost no time in communicating
with Mr.. b. | sent my messen-
ger the letter OfintrOductiOn inclosed
in a note of my own, requesting an
interview, and in reply was invited
to call at his residence that evening
at 8 o'clock.
| was promptly on hand at the des-
ignated time, and was ushered into
a comfortably and well appointed
little library room.
Mr.. b received me cordially,
but his face wore an expression of
much concern.
For what specific purpose is my
service required?" | asked, making Il
dive at the business in hand
II wish you to investigate a little
matter for me" he said, land will
give YOU the cause and details in u
few words" After moments hest
tation, which seemed devoted to
deep thought, he said: Il presume
you are aware of the character of
our business; we require large
clerical force in our counting room;
we reward our 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 Sc
cured his desk by gradual promo
ton, q Young man who seems pos
sessed of the required qualifications
and who has always, so far as ! can
Judge, properly performed his whole
duty. l speak Of our cashier. He is
young, intelligent, with a kindly dis
position, prompt at his post, and in
defatigable in his work. Because OF
these qualities and the fact that he
has exercised economy | have felt
myself gradually drawn toward him,
| have taken deeper interest in him
than in many Others in our employ
and was much gratitied to find that
he had to his credit neat little sum,
saved out of his salary. Recently,
however, | have noticed that he
wears a haggard expression, and the
discovery has disturbed me. When
first | observed this change it was
but slightly depicted on his counte-
nance, but it has grown more pro-
nOunced from day to day until now
he seems little more than a shadow
of his former self, and though prompt
ut his post and in his work, the old
smile seldom lights up his genial face.
! have taken occasion to look into
his personal account in the ledg and
find that from time to time he has
drawn upon it until now very little
remains of the 81 900 to his credit a
month ago
"What is your idea Of the cause OF
this condition of things?' | asked.
Il have no fixed idea Mr.. B
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 right to
draw his money, he had several times
invested in shares ofbuilding and loan
associations, but never without first
consulting me as to the ACCESSIBILITY
! Of doing so. Of course, | have been
more than pleased with this mark o,
! confidence, and was so favOrably i'm
/ pressed with his worth that | had al,
ready determined that he would be
the next to be admitted to a junior
copartnership interest in our estab
! lishment. My recent discoveries anG
/ the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy. l am determined, Impossible
to learn the cause of this change, anC
therefore l have sent for you to look
into the case for me. | desire you tC
ascertain what influence has causeC
the change in his appearance, anC
! what he has done with his money
The only condition that / interpost
is that YOU must make no move thai
will disturb him until you shall have
reported to me. You may adOpr
your own time and method to reacE
the end in view, and you fnuy cal
upon me for such assistance as yOl
may require in the case"
ode you suspect financial troubl
in any form p
II have no data upon which t.
ground a suspicion; his trial balanc
sheet made three days ago prove
the books and accounts in good shape
and the cash balance on hand a
that time was correct"
"Does he complain Of illness o
overwork %
"He does not; in fact, when ques
toned him concerning the cause Q
his appearance, his answers seemed
rather evasive."
After few moments further con
Yersation l babe my client good nigh
and departed. The next day l ell
tered the counting room of Mr.. B.
and asked the clerk at one of tn
windows to give me silver coin 70
q 500 note, Pointing to anothe
window he said: '"The cashier wi
give it to you" | was about t.
have view of the cashier. This wa
the purpose l desired to compass,
had notup to that time had glimps
of that gentIeman's face