The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02
HIS TWO FATAL IMPULSES.
Owe WAS TO Steal. THE OTHER r0
EONEESS MS IRTME.
Story OF n $50 ODO Embezziement n the
Northwest Inauence or Temptation -
Shnping q Cnrecr-The EHect Of q .Iokh.

story OF n $40 30 Embezzienrent r. the
Northwest influence or Temptation -
shnPing u Cnrecr-The Eject OF n Joks.
WAsrGNGroN. Dec. IA party Of gentlemen
were break fasting In a restaurant not moro than
q stones throw frpm the White House a few
mornings ago, when the conversation turned
upon the Seely Baker dedication and the prob
able motives for the crime. Much sympathy
was expressed for Sccly by one Of the party,
who had seen the bookkccpcr almost daily for
several years, and the belief was expressed that
he had taken the first step toward tho nar-
row path At the direction OF tho older
and ADLER criminal. Temptation. It was
agreed, had much to do with the moulding aud
shaping OF tho career OF every man, and the
theory brought the blowing true story from
lIugi JdnrSay, who was y guard on princcton's
most famous football team. and Is known 10
every wcdrer Of the orange and black by this
affcctionate appcilatinn Of " House"
while | was in business out West two years
ncu aCnSc Of thicvin; that was unique startlcc
the entire Northwest. The city | was in lisa
lake port Of more than ordinary consequence.
and II great deal Of grain, timber, and ore find
nu outlet through II, and 1t has banking houses
that would do honor to n more prctcntious town
than that collection OF primitive bindings on
the verge vt tho oughest country ON tho conti-
ncnt. In one of the largest financial institu-
tions the sum OF $40, 900 was missing one
spring day, and everybody from the President
down was greatly exercised, and strenuous exc
crt!ons were made to discover tho criminal.
There we're not moro than half n dozen men in
the concern who had access to the vault where
the money was stored, aud all were of the most
exemplary character ard had been in the employ
Of the bank for IA long time. Detectives were
brought on from Chicago and other points, and
every effort was made to get some trace Of the
thief or thieves. but at the end Of more than q
month of searching inquiry the Nidooqs were
compelled 20 give up and announce their inability
to place even the slightest suspicion upon any
member Of the staff. The money, which was in
a package of bills of large denominations. had
vanished as mystcriously MS though 1t had dis
solved into the air. In the course of a couple OF
months business went ON again Just the same,
the stockholders made the deficit good. and 10
was only now and then that the good people OF
the town referred to The loss casually.
About "A year after the money disappeared
one OF the youngcst OF tho clerks in tho bank
came to the President. displayed u letter from q
friend in the East asking him to 60 into business
with him. and offering to furnish the necessary
capital. The clerk said the opportunity for sue
cess IN the venture outlined by hiS friend was
so promising that he had come to the conclusion
that he could not afford to let IL pass, and he
therefore rendered his resignation. The resig-
nation was accepted with great reluctance by his
superior officer, for the clerk was one of the
model young men of the town and a member of
several religious organizations. lie was popular,
too. with the young men OF all classes, and on
the evening Of his departure ii was arranged to
give him u banquet III the dining hall OF the
leading hotel, Tue clerk came to the hall carry
ing his handbag aud n light OVcrCOat; IL was in
the early fall, and the weather Is sharp In the
Northwest as soon as, October sets IN, The
dinner was a success, and IL was so arranged that
II should be prolonged by s~pccchmaking and
iolliiication until midnight, when the boys in
Ia al a. tynllI nannrf thntr Mum Frs.n.l o. FI..
station and give him n farewell cheer as the
train pulled out. 1t happened that one OF the
was on the floor near the clerks chair. Taking
as he wrote 100000" on one side Of the bag.
well, boys. here he goes with the, $4,000,
with n smile, led him back to his seat mt the
table, and then addressing the company in a
80 can assure you this is no Joking matter.
You all know how seriously the, loss of that
which I had the honor to be connected, and not
one OF us from the President down did not feel
ia the eyes OF the public until the thief was
sought; By all means let us have no more Jokes
"The chalking OF $4,000 on the bag had
been greeted with shouts Of laughter, but II
and. taking his handkerchief. exposed the in
%striptlon. There were frowns for the lnckless
clndsd in silence. il was with m9ny express
slons of good will and many hearty handshakes
tnat TIE clerk bill MS IartWeIls, ana when The
train flashed away his face wa, strained against
the window frame smiling a last adicu. Now IL
happened that one OF the local police, force was
on the same train, going down the line some
wherc for "a prisoner. This man knew the CLERK
well, and, approaching him from behind, cIasped
him about the shoulders, saying.
$50 you thought you'd get away with tho
money; come now. You are my prisoner.
This coming on top OF the other strain was
too much for the clerk and leaning back in his
sobbed, IT'S here In this bag
The police officer had been joking and he was
amazed at the confession, and, taking the cul-
yrit into custody. returned tn town by the next
train. The affair was n nine-dnys' wonder. The
everybody saw how easily II wa, done. lie had
gone down into tine vault one afternoon shortly
iSrSe bi iisi ,hars ahq lie hs saId 'I Es w Ims istSsd VIII e
an irresistible desire TO take the money,
a SiISd On 9Re n nne kd ,mpqii n me OF bol ias Of m ri. en- a had
threw his light UvercOat negligently over it. and
walked through the streets with the money. as
dinner. He took the package 10 his room, stored
II in an old bag, and waiting until p~ightfall, car-
the rocks. \ hundred times during the investi-
cation he said he was tempted T. tell the Prcsi-
something whispered 10 him that with so much
money lac could make good start In business
repay every penny OF he amount with interest.
ndGr u" most riga examinations on tho
part OF the bank authorities and by the dutec-
lives he retained his nerve. and was at the end
OF The investigation as far from suspicion AS any
a year and a halt he wrote u friend Instructions
% write such a letter ~ b" hal shown the PTesi;
Hrml 81 ine e'mS, iS , sT'TarI ne H1Gty, and
preme moment Of nerve, Of which he had shown
that he possessed a greal deal. lie is nov eery-
0f the Town whenever they think Of taking
something that does not belong Ia them"
ALMOST mi LAST or THE MIIMIs.
The Death OF n Relic or "a Once Powerful