The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-02-14
VANTWILLER'S WELL
How It's LOSS Affected a Trusted
Employee.

morning, took breakfast at my
accustomed restaurant, and at nine
thirty / was ut my Office. By
Office, mean that of Vantwiller q
Co., very rich banking house repre-
sented In both Berlin and New York.
For Eve years had been vantwiller's
confidential clerk He had taken me
into all his schemes, and often had 40
qnainted me with his most private al
fairs In q business way, Of course, /
mean. He was Just the man to need q
confidential clerk. Old, and every day
In danger of falling Ill, he was becom-
ing just little forgetful. Sometimes
he grew fussy or impatient and said
things which in two minutes he would
not remember having uttered The
stress of business, which, owing to the
reputation of the firm, was enormous,
was competently managed by his two
sons, who had the direct command of
the large number of clerks employed In
the banking house. MY business was
to attend to the correspondence of the
old gentleman, and to answer business
calls. In short, conducted the bank
er's affairs, and received a most gen.
erous salary for the position.
As l said, I arrived at my Office at
half-past nine. entered the door,
crossed over the room and hung my
sack coat on the nail in a little closet
adjoining the Office. In moment was
into my buster and busy with the usual
morning correspondence.
At half after ten ono of the Office boys
came in to tell ne that Vantwiller, ST..
was coming down. got down from
my chair and went over to his desk. a
very elaborate and handsome piece of
furniture. ! arranged his papers, fxed
his chair and turned to greet the head
Of the firm az he appeared in the door
way.
'sGood morning, Mr.. Thurston," said
he. Ibid you receive my note last
EVENING""
81 did, SIR" exclaimed. This note
was one he had sent late ON the pre-
yious evening, telling me to be at the
Office on the morrow without fail, as he
had most important business to COM
municate to me.
well, after have glanced over the
letters please lock the door and have
the keeper instructed to admit no one
until after twelve o'clock"
This he uttered as he put his hand
into his pocket and drew forth large
Russia leather pocketbook stuffed with
papers and documents.
81 will call you in fifteen minutes"
he continued, land we will settle the
business mentioned last evening"
returned to my desk, and began to
look over the New York Herald. When
the quarter Of an hour was up,
glanced over to where Vantwiller was
seated. He was still busy with his LETT
ters. Presently he took up a piece of
paper and examined it most carefully.
The clock hand crept on to the half
hour, and soon forty minutes had
passed. / do actually believe the old
man forgot that such person as was
in the room Had 1t been anyone else
/ would have interrupted him by a
pleasant remark or SO, but knew the
man my employer was. had tried it
once before and never forgot the incl
dent.
While he read the document, gazed
At him in a sort Of half-interest-
ed manner, my mind dwelling on the
fact that he would not live much long
er. His appearance readily spoke
that. I began to wonder what disposi-
ton he would make of his wealth, for
he was very rich, and whether there
would be the usual fight over his for
tune. At twenty minutes past eleven,
Mr.. vantwiller laid down his paper.
..Mr. Thurston." said he. II have .
very important errand for you to per-
form to-day; draw chair up to the
desk, and will explain"
l did as he babe. To make long
story short, the old gentleman had
made his will He acquainted me with
its contents and desired that / convey
it to his lawyer, on my way home that
afternoon.
''Mr Thurston." he concluded, II
hope you appreciate the position in
which have placed you. You are the
only one who knows the contents Of
that paper save myself and my lawyer.
This document must, of course, be kept
absolutely secret until l am dead.
in conveying 1t to Mr..
Brunson, you will. of course, use every
not to lose It. It Is necea-
sary that he should have 1t to-day. II
he is out, give it to Mr.. Rollins. his
livered to him as soon as possible.
He handed me the document which
/ at once put among the other impor-
tant papers, In the pocket of my street
coat, hanging in the closet l went
back to my desk to finish the mornings
business. intending to deliver the will
on my way up town, that afternoon.
had hardly resumed my work when
Mr.. Vantwiller requested me to 60 on
some crrand for him. The nature Of
II Is immaterial 1t was only down
stairs. but l was gone about half an
hour.
As I returned, / heard laughter In
the Office. Upon entering I noticed
that the banker was entertaining
some friends. Two gentlemen were
there with him, and all werc laugh
ing heartily. The old gentleman APP
pearcd very jolly. His mind was ev-
identity undergoing one OF those nn-
merous relaxations 30 frequent In him.
They were just preparing 10 leave for
luncheoni and while they were talking
and laughing went over to the closet
to change my duster for my sack coat.
As / did 80 felt for the papers In my
pocket They were there all right.
Before leaving turned 1t the door
to bid tho banker good day; but he was
30 engrossed In his attention to bis