The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-05-06
story OF / CONSCIENCE.
It Pursued q Criminal over the
World.

It Pursued q Criminal over inc
World.
RI was one of the Coroner's jury impan-
eled in the case of an old man found
drownded, and as soon as the mud had
l,een washed off his face recognized the
unfortunate as mendicant who had told
me his story several days before.]
1t was my intention to graduate as
lawyer, but while preparing myself for
college a circumstance happened to
change my plans and the current OF my
life. Eight or ten of the leading citizens
of the town in which l lived formed a
stock company and erected large fac
tory, and when ready to operate ! was
appointed cashier. l was then only 20
years old. Although my father was one
of the stockholders, it was not on this ac-
count that received the appointment. l
had reasons to believe that be opposed 1t
on the ground that was too young and
lacking in business experience, but at the
same time he must have been pleased at
nv preferment. l was popular young
man. Everybody was my friend, and
everybody was kind enough to say that
had brilliant future before me. Some
were disappointed when l took the place
offered me, declaring that nature had in
tended me for lawyer, but Others in
sisted that would develop business tai
ents which would make me wealthy mar
before reached the age OF 30.
It is pleasant for young man TO real.
lie that everybody wishes him we'll, ano
IN my case at least 1t did not result IL
throwing me off my balance. Before en-
tering on my duties the president of thu
concern invited me to an interview one
day and said:
flames, you have been elected to very
responsible position, and it IS usual il
such cases to exact bond. You come
from an honest family. All of US believe
you to be an honest, straightforward
Young man. There are dozen men in
town willing to 60 on your bond, and for
these reasons we feel secure without any
We shall trust you implicitly. All OF US
have known you from childhood. and we
have no fear that you will go wrong"
Trust me? why not7 Had ! found
dollar bill on the street should not have
rested content until making every effort
to restore it to the loser. could not re
member of ever having told lie. l re-
garded thief with even more horror than
murderer. To have made me furnish
bond would have been only business in
one sense, and yet in another it would
have implied mistrust of my honesty
which would have been gall and worm
wood to me. Am l egotistical! No!
Each one knows himself the best. If men
truthfully declare themselves thieves, rob-
bers and embezzlers, and the daily court
records prove that they do, then why crit
ic,se others for asserting that they cannot
be tempted to steall
For three years all went we'll in the
factory. AS matter of fact, did develop
IA talent for inanciering, and those who
he'd predicted we'll for me were not dis
appointed: After the first year the capac-
ity was increased, and at the end of the
third year we were able to declare divi-
dcnd of 10 per cent. That jumped our
stock way above par. In the three years
my salary was increased three times, and
the semiannual examination of my books
and accounts proved everything right to
cent. At the beginning of the fourth
year, when there was another issue Of
stock, | was presented with 5000 worth
and the thanks of the Board of Directors
for my untiring vigilance and sterling
honesty. Wasn't that thing to be proud
Off I had social standing second to
none, and during the last month of the
third year, was engaged to the beautiful
and accomplished daughter of our presi
dent. When went unto his private office
one day to breach the subject, he met me
with:
"There, james, know what you have
come for and frankly confess that am
pleased and satisfied. Nellie is one of the
best girls in all this world, and / know
you will make her happy"
Taken all around, could any young man
have asked for morel was in the path
leading to wealth and honor, and I could
not blame other young men who envicd
me and sarcastically referred to me as one
Of fortunes favOritcs.
The beginning of my downward career
was very simple circumstance, or rather
two circumstances in one. In looking over
the safe one day ! came across package
of $500, which had been mislaid by NV
assistant. 1t was just after an examination
of my books. and the examination had
been so much matter of form that this
money, paid in weeks before, had not been
missed. You may say We had rather a
loose system. admit it. Find me a
place where the cashier is not under bonds
and Is implicitly trusted, and I'll show
you that same careless system. Things
are careless because he is strictly honest,