Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-08-01
MisctllaMenMs.
THE MARKED BANK BILLS.
A STORY FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

Marshall, won't you do me the favol
TO keep this five dollar bill for me
want to take my holiday soon, and I'm
afraid, if | keep it myself, I'll be tempt,
ed to spend it,"
why, certainly, Edward. lit kceJ
it for you with pleasure" Aud th,
youth who had been addressed by his
companion as Marshall, took out hi.
pocket-book aud put the bank noto care.
fully in it by the side of one of the sam,
denomination that was already deposited
there.
Archie Marshall and Edward Frank,
lin were ellow-clcrks in the large whole.
sale house of Zimmerman Il Go and
being about the same age, and formerly
schoolmates, were very intimate, both in
and out of their business associations.
Marshall lived with his parents. and
Franklin was an orphan, but both were
boys of excellent character, aud served
their employers faithfully; yet, while
Archie was economical in his habits
Edward was Just the reverse, and spent
his wages freely This explained the
request made Of his friend.
While the two boys were talking
about the money, Mr.. Zimaerman, the
senior partner of the firm, passed by on
his way to the counting room. and
scanned them closely as he noticed the
transfer of the money to Marshall's
pocket book.
A few moments later, an orrand boy
told Marshall that Mr.. Zimmorman
would like to sec him in the counting.
room.
Dropping bis work, the young clerk
proceeded at once to see his employer,
wondering at the strange summons for
he had never had one Of the kind be-
fore.
He found Mr.. Zimmerman alone in
his private Office, and looking unusually
severe and serious.
AS Archie knocked at the door, the
merchant without looking up, told him
to come 10 and be seated. After a few
moments silence, Mr.. Zimmerman look
ed up.
''Marshall," said he, ''pm plain
spoken man and will not beat about the
bush at all. We have lately been miss
ing small sums of money from the cash
drawer, and, while l am loathe to sus-
pect you, would like to examine that
five-dollar bill which you have in your
pocket"
"Certainly, Mr.. Zimmerman" re-
piled Archie, promptly handing his en-
ployer his pocket-book "but, excuse
me, sir, don't think | quite under
stand you, sir" he continued with hesi-
tation.
Mr. Zimmerman looked at the frank
face of his young employe moment,
and said, with equal hesitation:
"Well, Marshall, it is just this. AS
/ told you before, we have been missing
money, and took tho prccaution to mark
some bills with a private mark in the
effort to trace the guilty person. AS |
passed you in the store little while
ago, saw Franklin give you what /
thought ] recognized AS one Of those
marked notes. All here it il now p
continued the merchant "and here is
the mark y
Saying this, he drew forth the note
which Franklin had given Marshall. aud
pointed to an tx" in one corner, which
had apparently been made in red ink
with quill pen.
"And here is another !" he exclaimed
moment later, as he disclosed the other
note belonging to Marshall. which also
bore the guilty mark.
The young clerk was too much shock
ed and surprised, for time, TO make
any answer. His face flushed and paled
by turns, but it was not with emotions
of guilt or fear and he looked squarely
into the merchants face as he strove to
collect his scattered thoughts
II cannot imagine how this can be,
Mr.. Zimmerman" he finally gasped
"fhe first note you saw belongs to
Franklin, and the other got as part oI
last weeks salary. franklin cannot
save money, and he asked me to keeI
mis- five dollars for him."
II am very sorry, Marshall, re
sponded the merchant, "but the prooI
is too plain. Your designations will b'
accepted, to take effect at once o
course it will be impossible to keep yor
or Franklin longer in our employ afte
this evidence Of guilt on your part
But you will allow me to call Ed
ward, will you not, Mr.. Zimmerman ?
pleaded tho young clerk
"Oh, yes" replied his employer bH
cannot see what possible good that ca
do"
"IIe can tell whore be g,t his nlte,
explained Marshall.