The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1890-01-04
A NARROW ESCAPE.

Twas seated in my Office one after
noon in October, 1884, when an &C.
quaintance, a merchant of this city,
called. I had then acquired a fair ex-
perience in my calling, but myincome
from that source had been quite
limited; hence my extreme gratifica-
ton when my visitor announced that
the purpose of his visit was "busi-
ness"
The gentleman said that a 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. I 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 a let
ter of introduction to Mr.. B.,
which he handed me, and after re-
ceiving mypromise to deliver it with
out delay he departed.
I lost no time in communicating
with Mr.. B.. I sent my messen-
ger the letter ofintroduction inclosed
in q note of my own, requesting an
interview, and in reply was invited
to call at his residence that evening
at 8 o'clock.
Iwaspromptly 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 wor an expression of
much concern.
"Forwhat specific purpose is my
service required?" I asked, making a
dive at the business in hand.
81 wish you to investigate a little
matter for me-" he said, "and will
give you the cause and details in a
few words" After a moments hest
tation, which seemed devoted to
deep thought, he said: II presume
you are aware of the character Of
our business; we require a 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, a young man who seems pos
sessed of the required qualifications
and who has always, SO far as I can
judge, properly performed his whole
duty. 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 I have felt
myself gradually drawn toward him.
I have taken deeper interest in him
than in many others in employ
and was much gratified to find that
he had to his credit a 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 I observed this change it was
but slightly depicted on his counte-
nance, but it has grown more pro-
nounoed from day to day until now
he seems little more than a shadow
of his former self, and thoughprompt
at his post and in his work, the old
smile seldom lights up his genial face.
[ have taken occasion to look into
his personal account inthe ledger and
find that from time to time he has
drawn upon it until now very little
remains of the $1,000 to his credit a
month ago."
"What is your idea of the cause, OF
this condition of things?" I asked.
II 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 andhad arightto
draw his money. he had several times
invested in shares o~fbuilding and loan
associations, but never without first
consulting me as to the advisability
of doing SO. Of course, I have been
more than pleased with this mark of
confidence, and was so favorably inn
pressed with his worth that I had al
ready determined that he would be
the next to be admitted to a junior
copartnership interest in u estab-
lishment. My recent discoveries and
the cashiers reticence have made me
uneasy. I am determined, ifpossible,
to learn the cause of this change, and
therefore I have sent for you to look
into the case for me. / desire you to
ascertain what influence has caused
the change in his appearance, and
what he has done with his money.
The only condition that I interpose
is that you must make no move that
will disturb him until you shall have
reported to me. You may adopt
your own time and method to reach
the end in view, and you may call
upon me for such assistance as you
may require in the case"
"Do you suspect financial trouble
in any form?"
II have no data upon which to
ground a suspicion; his trial balance
sheet made three days ago proves
the books and accounts in good shape,
and the cash balance on hand at
that time was correct"
"Does he complain of illness or
overwork
IT. - = FL 49,