Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-03-16
A CLEVER TRICK.

was an extensive one-from Stirling on the
edge of the Scottish highlands, to Inver-
ness in the north. | made the round twice
a year, in April and October, travelling with
samples and collecting accounts My turn
out consisted of a horse and trap-"mar
chine" they call it 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 southwark journey. My calls
were over with the exception of one or two
in Stirling and one in Linlithgow before
reaching Edinburgh, my headquarters.
Can | see Mr.. Macgregor?" asked a
shopman as drew up at the door of an OBJ
viously furnishing establishment in the
High street of Stirling.
"Mr. Macgregor's not in himself Who is
it that's asking for himi"
Turner, from Hinde g. 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 Naismith" he asked.
Naismith was my predecessor on the
round, but advancing years had rendered
his removal to n less laborious one expedi
ent. explained as much to my inferno
gator
"Mr. Macgregor was anxious to see you
himself | know, but be has had to go to
Edinburgh He said | was to go for young
Macgregor if you called before his return"
"Oh, very wellp'
Young Mr.. Macgregor | made out was a
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 a little
room behind his shop, separated from it by
glass partition, the view through which
was only partially obscured by number
of silver and plated goods arranged on
shelves.
Our business was soon transacted. Mr.
Macgregor handed me roll Of notes Of the
British Linen company's bank, some es00
in all, which | 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. ! was pleased to see
it was large one, and highly satisfied with
the business Of the day proceeded to my
hotel
had good dinner and was just on the
point of retiring to my room when there
was a 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 APP
pearance An elder Of the Kirk of Scot
land, at least, | said TO myself He was
travel stained and obviously very agitated.
mr. Turner am glad to have been able
70 meet you" he said.
"Yes1" | replied interrogatively, for l
had no idea who he was.
MY names ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
Stirling. Your principals know me well. T"
81 assure you | am glad to see you" re-
piled, now shaking his hand in turn; your
name is a familiar one in our house, but, f"
observing his emotion. II hope there's
nothing wrong"
II hope not, my young friend" he re-
piled; lat least nothing but what can be
amended, | hope. May | ask if you have
sent off the notes you got from my son to-
day."
mo; shall wait till reach Edinburgh"
said.
"Thank heavenP' he fervently CALCULATED
and then burst into loud fit Of sobbing,
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 My son, my sonl Thank God, his
poor mothers deadP
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 q
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 ! heard this, my hand
moved instinctively to my breast pocket.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Turner" said the
old gentleman. MY son, who was as
steady and promising a young man az
you'd find in all the Lothians and Stirling
shire, too has lately given way to drink
and horse racing ana ghmDnh8 nave
been suspecting for some time that his
money matters were not in the best OF or
der, and don't like the look Of his associ
ates. especially at rryst times"
Here | recalled the individual had my
self seen in the shop, but had not noticed
any communication between him and
young Macgregor.
ITO make a long story short" resumed
the worthy old man, my foreman appriset
me as soon as got home that my son hat
duly paid you, but not with the notes HI
knew had left for that purpose. lef
him Bank Of England notes II he has pait
you in that money, no harm is done, butt
mo, he has not, J." | said, becoming almos
as agitated as my old friend himself
"Oh, don't say they are British Linenp'
BY this time ! had my pocketbook on
and handed him one Of the roll Of notes hi