New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-10-08

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always a deep seated cause for such
radical charges 8
The subject passed from my mind
until q few weeks af.erward, when
the public was astounded by the
announcement that Alden was de-
faulter to the amount of at least
$25, 900; and experts proved it by an
examination his books"
That accounts them" Iejaculated,
for those lines ofcare and concern.
A troubled conscience, you know,
What did he say for himself?'
/ HE did not seem to know what to
say. He admitted receiving the
money, as the figures in his books
declared. But what had become Of
it, he did not remember. He dis
claimed all Intentional detalcation,
and those who knew him best be-
lieved him,
Had he not been specula ting in
stocks?" I asked
There was no evidence Of such q
thing"
Had he not bought property in
his wife's name?" inquired again.
None at all. 1t was admitted
that he had been forbearing with
many dilatory Taxpayers, and in
some cases he had gone so far as to
charge himself with the taxes Of per-
sonal friends on their solemn prom
ise to pay the taxes and not let him
suffer by the indiscretion. he had
even made occasional loans on the
public money to friends in great need,
taking their personal notes. But
these amounts were comparatively
small, and in an emergency could
have been realized on the notes
themselves. All these excuses his
friends made for him in order to
shield him from the charge Of bare
faced corruption and dishonesty"
Still there was the absence OF
$4,000. What could that be but
defafca tion?" said l.
Just sol" replied Van Leonard.
ct was a singular case, for amid it
all many, and I among them, re-
fused to believe him guilty OF out
right defalcation. To say that the
community was shocked and as
founded is stating the case mildly.
But the sad, ugly tactremained that
:. $4,000 of the public funds were
missing and the whole blame and re-
sponsibility rested upon one whom
all had respected, admired, and
trusted.
"'I can't account for it, he would
say, but | know that [ have neither
wasted nor stolen the money and
across his countenance would fit an
expression OF pitiable inanity. I
hardly knew what to think Of him.
He appeared to be non compos
mentis, or ia stupendous fraud!"
| exclaimed as Van Leonard paused
for an appropriate term. Smiling
slightly, he repeated:
1t was a singular case, for, say
what you please, I still had faith IN
his probity."
"Well, what did the city council
do?" I asked.
col course he was summarily dis
! placed, and his bondsmen were called
upon to make the defalcation good.
But Alden yielded his residence, which,
with some property Of his, realized
about $4,000 for his bondsmen to
pay
''How did he bear it?"
Il could see that public disgrace
was killing him. While he may not
have felt blameless, yet he knew that
he had not been corrupt or b;lsely
fraudulent
SO he said" l calculated.
Yes, SO he said. Well, in musing
over the matter one day thought
struck me. Isought Prof. Franklin,
with whom [ had o lengthy Interview.
At the conclusion of our discussion
he said:
ct will be an interesting expert
ment, and, SO far as / can see, will
do no harm.
"You will meet me then at the city
treasurer's office at p. nl.?"
asked.
"pll be there, he responded.
Punctually at the hour named I
drove up to the city hall in my car
riage, accompanied by the mayor OF
the city, Mr.. Hall, the city attorney,
and Judge Alden. We entered the
office of the city treasurer, where we
found Prof Franklin conversing with
q couple OF the city councilmen and
Judge Alden's successor, a Mr.. Bo.d:
After our mutual salutations were
over Isaid to the mayor: Will you
have the goodness, sir, to permit the
city 8 fire. proof safe to be opened?''
al a sign from his honor the act
ing treasurer swung open the doors
of the huge safe.
Now said l, open all the draw
ers and expose to view all the city's.
money you may have in the safe at
his time
30This was quickly done by the
acting treasurer, who murmured:
This is all the funds we have here
at present Ofcourse there is more
on deposit in the first National
bank
| s.ssYou arc u11ita srre Won have