The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-08-15
THE LITTLE FAT MAN.
riA Cool Way OF Making Nv" Oat OF {
Post once Clerk.


A little fat man was standing in the
money-order section Of the post office,
when the clerk in pause amid his hur-
ry, half leaned over the counter, and
in the confidential tone of man who
has made discovery calculated to as
tonish said: "You can say what you
please, but all the honesty in this world
is not in the upper classes or well-to-do
people, after all"
at isnt?" calmly asked the little fat
man, lifting his eyebrows interroga-
lively.
mo, sir not by large majority!
You can't tell by appearances. BY
George, there was a fellow came in
here yesterday, when I was very busy.
and wanted money order for twenty
dollars. When gave it to him and
handed him his change / slipped him
two-dollar bill instead of one dollar,
and he hurried away without waiting
to count the cash at all, taking it for
granted that my count was all right.
When came to make up my accounts
for the day, short time afterward,
that one dollar could not be accounted
for at all. did not know where it had
disappeared, and was not only mad at
having to make up the amount, but was
little nervous at having the fact that
my accounts did not come out right
known by the boss"
"Of COURSE" remarked the little fat
man as the clerk paused as if expecting
some comment.
81 worried about it more than little,
tell you but when came down and
opened up this morning the very first
man who came into the department was
a tall, seedy-loolSing chap, dressed in a
slazy Prince Albert, shocking bad
plug hat, split shoes, and pair of
trousers that would give a tailor fits
1t was the fellow that l had given the
two dollar bill to by mistake"
Brought it back, had hep" asked the
little fat man, interested.
"Yes-or, well, not just exactly, but
the same thing-he said he had discov-
cred the mistake as soon as he COM
menced to count off the change for him
self. He hadn't time to bring it back
yesterday, so he came the first thing
this morning lie had spent the two
dollar bill, but he gave me five dollars
and let me take it out of that. | tell
you there are are mighty few men who
would have done what that poor man
did"
"They wouldn't, hey?" said the little
fat man.
mo, sir, they wouldn't. have rich
men cheat me every time they get a
chance. That isn't often, l can tell
you"
HE gave you five dollar bill, did
he?"
eyes"
"And you took the two dollars out OF
it?"
"Ycs, of course"
"Lemme see that bill minute,
please
The clerk began to look bit nervous
and as he got the bill out looked it over
carefully.
The little fat man took it, put on a
pair of large glasses, and scrutinized
the bank note closely. Then he held it
up to the light and shook his head
obviously, rubbing it between his fin.
gers with plying smile.
II 1911 COunuerIelt, is IL! nerVOuSlY
asked the clerk, now on the tenter-
hooks with anxiety.
Isn't counterfeit? Great Scotland's
icy mountains and Greenlands coral
sands! Isn't counterfeit? Why, it is
one of the rankest counterfeits l ever
saw" and the little, fat man laughed a
contemptuous laugh that was full of
plying commiseration for the victim
of the hoax.
Are you dead sure that it isn't
good?" anXiously asked the clerk, lean
ing abjectly over the supporting rail
and feeling as weak as cat.
Counterfeit? Well, should say so!
Why, it isn't worth continental. But,
then, it's pretty dark here--wait min
ute till take it to the window over
there"
The little fat man walked slowly
over to the nearest window, bent al
most double over the bill, examining
every part of its texture and face with
the eye of a hawk.
How is it?" called the clerk, with
tremulous tones.
"Well, thought it was counterfeit,
young man." drawled the examiner with
a sly twinkle of his little eyes. ''But
since / have examined it, he continued,
gliding slowly toward the street door,
II have come to the conclusion that it
is good as gold, sir-good as gold"
do you think SOP" asked the clerk
eagerly.
"Think so?" said the little fat man
contemptuously. ''Thinls so? Why, l
know SOL But there's one thing want
to tell you, young man.
"What is that?" asked the post office
attache.
why, it isn't always safe to trust to
everybody's honesty"
1T was in this case, just the same.
He brought the money back"
"Yes, my dear little duck he did, but
/ didR't."
With that the little fat man flew out
the side door, down the corridor ont
into the street, and by the time the
clerk could recover from his astonish-
ment, yell for the police, jump the
counter and reach the sidewalk, the lit
tie fat man was completely out of sight.
So was the five dollar ill.-Cincinnati
Commercial Gazette.
And 1t is Presumed He Did
"If you think you're going to collect
any money from me-" said Ardup, dog
gedly, as he handed back the bill,
| IL