The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-06-08
A CLEVER THICK.

II was my first circuit in the employment
hf Hinde & Cooper, wholesale jewellers and
silversmiths of Birmingham. My round
was an extensive ono-from Stirling, on the
edge of the Scottish highlands, to Inver-
hess in the north. l made the round twice
n year, in April and October, travelling with
samples and collecting accounts My turn
but consisted of horse and trap-"ma-
chine they call 1t in the north-and / made
the journey in short stages, and altogether
found the work very pleasant and enjoy
able
| was on my way from Perth TO Edin-
burgh on my Gouthward journey. Ny calls
were over, with the exception of one or two
in Stirling and one in Linlithgow before
reaching Edinburgh, my headquarters.
"Can see Mr.. MacgregorY" l asked a
shopman as ! drew up at the door of an OBJ
viously flouriShing establishment in the
High street Of Stirling.
"Mr Macgregor's not in himself. Who is
it that's asking for him"
"Turner, from Hinde s. Cooper, Birming-
ham"
entered the shop. A man, half gentle
man farmer, half jockey, was standing at
the counter making some purchase. An
elderly man came forward to address me.
whats come of NaismithY" he asked
Naismith was my predecessor on the
round, but advancing years had rendered
his removal to less laborious one expedi-
ent. l explained as much to my interro-
gator.
''Nfr Macgrecor was anxious TO see you
himself, l know, but he has had to 90 to
Edinburgh. He said was to go for young
Macgregor If you called before his return"
"Oh very wellr
Young Mr. Macgregor made out was
solicitor, whose Offices were almost next
door. He had, as is not unusual in Scot
land, added to his legal duties that of bank
manager-lOcal manager for one of the
Edinburgh banks.
On the entry of young Mr.. Macgregor, as
every one called him, we adjourned to little
room behind his shop, separated from it by
a glass partition, the view through which
was only partially obscured by a number
of silver and plated goods arranged on
shelves.
! Our business was soon transacted. Mr..
Macgregor handed me a roll of notes of the
British Linen company's bank, some $500
in all, which l counted and found correct.
The foreman, who had been attending to
the horsy individual / have already re-
ferred to, handed me fresh order in his
masters handwriting. Twas pleased to see
1t was large one, and highly satisfied with
the business of the day proceeded to my
hotel
had a good dinner and was Just on the
point Of retiring to my room when there
was knock at the outer door, and a few
moments after the waiter looked in, saying!
"A gentleman to see you, sir"
"Show the gentleman in"
| But he did not require showing in, for he
had followed close on the walters heels.
He came hastily forward and shook me
warmly by the hand. He was an elderly
gentleman, whose long, white beard and
white locks gave him a very venerable ap-
pearance. An elder of the Kirk of Scot
land, at least, / said to myself. He was
travel stained and obviously very agitated.
"Mr Turner, l am glad to have been able
to meet you," he said.
"Yesf" 1 replied interrogatively, for /
had no idea who he was.
my names acgregor-Macgrego of
Stirling. Your principals know me we'll"
II assure you am glad to see you" l re-
piled, now shaking his hand in turn; your
name is familiar one in our house, but"
observing his emotion, II hope there's
nothing wrong"
II hope not, my young friend" he re-
piled; lat least nothing but what can he
amended, hope. May I ask if you have
sent off the notes you got from my son to-
dayS"
mo; shall wait till reach Edinburgh"
said.
Thank heaven" he fervently calculated
o,, fnNn nP
the tears running down his cheeks and
over his venerable beard.
! "Mr. Turner" he said in a broken voice
and at intervals between his sobs, you see
before you an old man who has lived for
over seventy years blameless life, respect
ed by everybody, and yet my gray hairs
are to be brought down in sorrow to the
grave. Ny son, my sonl Thank God, his
poor mothers deadr
had some difficulty in prevailing upon
the old gentleman to try TO restrain his
agitation, and at last managed to get from
him his sad story.
| 1t seemed that for some months past a
large number of forged notes, purporting
to be genuine drafts on the British Linen
company's bank, had been in circulation,
and people were somewhat chary about re-
ceiving any without the most careful ex-
animation. When l heard this, my hand
moved instinctively to my breast pocket.
"Wait moment, Mr.. Turner" said the
old gentleman. my son, who was as
steady and promising young man as
you'd find in all the Lothians and Stirling
shire, too, has lately given way to drink
pnd horse racing and gambling. have
been suspecting for some time that his
money matters were not in the best of or
der, and don like the look Of his ,associ-
ates, especially at Tryst times"
Here / recalled the individual had my
self seen in the shop, but had not noticed
any communication between him and
young MaUgegor.
ITO make long story short" resumed
the worthy old man, my foreman apprised
me as soon as got home that my son had
duly paid you, but not with the notes he
knew had left for that purpose. / left
him Bank of England notes. If he has paid
you in that money, no harm is done, butt
mo, he has not, / said, becoming almost
as agitated as my old friend himself
"Oh, don't say they are British Linenp'
By this time l had my pocketbook out
and handed him one of the roll of notes his
precious son had given me.
n =.