St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-19
THE LITTLE FAT MAN.
His Cool Way of Making a ''V" Out
of POstOffice Clerk.


A little fat man was standing in the
money order section of the postoffice,
says the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette,
when the clerk, in pause amid his
hurry, 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 welI-to-dO
people. after ALL"
sit iSn't?' calmly asked the little fat
man, lifting his eyebrows interroga-
lively.
No, sir, not by a large majority?
You can't tell by appearances. By
George, there was fellow came in here
yesterday, when | was very busy, and
wanted money order for $50. When
gave it to him and handed him his
change l slipped him 50 bill instead
of ST. 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
81 could not be accounted for at all. l
did not know where it had disappeared,
and was not only mad at having to make
up the amount, but was little nervous
al having the fact that my accounts did
not come out right known by the posS."
'Of COURSE" remarked the little fat
man as the clerk paused as if expecting
some comment.
II worried about it more than little.
| tell you: but when | came down and
opened up this morning the very first
man wi came into the department was
tall. seedy-looking chap, dressed in a
SlaZy Prince Albert, shocking bad
plug hat, split shoes, and a pair of
trousers that would give a tailor fits.
1t was the fellow that l had given the
50 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 tine change for him.
self. He hadn't time to bring it back
yes terday, SO he came the first thing
this morning. He had spent the 81 bill.
but he gave me s. and let me take it out
of that. / tell you there 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, can tell
you"
''IIe gave you a So bill, did he?''
"Yes."
And you took the 50 out of it?''
''Yes. of course"
8. Lemme see that bill a minute,
please?"
The clerk began to look a 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 carefully. Then he held it
up TO the light and shook his head
obviously, rubbing it between his fin
gers with pltying smile.
lit isn't counterfeit, is it?'' nervously
asked the clerk, now OH the tenter-
hooks with anxiety.
Isn't counterfeit? Great Scotand's
icy mountains and Greenland's coral
sandsI Isn't counterfeit? Why, it is
one of the rankest counterfeits l ever
saw" and the little fat man laughed
a contemptous laugh that was full of
pitying commiseration for the victim
of the hoax.
Are YOU dead sure that it isn't good?"
anxi0usly asked the cleris, Eaning abr