The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-22
A CLEVER TRICK.
Trying to Save a Bank Clerk and In
Reality HelDinC II Swindler.

Trying to Save Bank Clerk and In
Reality Helping II Swindler.
Aqueer story is told of a Liverpool bank
officer who received private letter from
his friend, member of a London banking
firm. 1t is said that one Of their employees,
the son of their highly esteemed cashier
n man who was probity itself-had gone
away with several thousand pounds of Sc
curlties. IL the son should be arrested and
placed in the PRISONS dock the old man
would never lift his head again. The firm
was, therefore, resolved to do all that lay
In its power to save its aged and valued
servant from the misery and shame which
would certainly overtake him If his sons
sin became known.
The writer thought that in all probabil-
ity the young man would call with his Sc
curities at the Liverpool bank, and on the
strength of his connection with the Lon
don bank try to negotiate them. II so,
the London banker wanted tho Liverpool
banker to seize the property and keep it
until he heard from the London banker
again, to lecture the young man soundly,
buy him ticket to New York and give
him $1,000 with which to begin the world
again. The London banker was going to
Paris for fortnight, so that the Liverpool
banker didn't need to write to him about
the affair until that time He also wanted
the secret kept from everybody, as far us
possible, both for the sake of the London
bank, the young mans father and the
young man himself.
The Liverpool banker, knowing that
many young man had gone wrong who
might have been saved at the proper mo-
ment, decided to comply with his friends
request.
Soon after nice, frank looking young
man of the name referred to was ushered
In to him, and, saying that he desired to
travel, explained in Il constrained and ner-
vous manner that he had some securities
on which he would like to realize He
said he didn't understand business, and
perhaps was going awkwardly to work,
but the ship for New York was to sail that
day ard he was in hurry.
In reply the Liverpool banker handed
him the letter he had just received; AS &c
read it his breast heaved with emotion,
tears came into his eyes and he finally
burst into fit of weeping. He made a
full confession, and the banker, after point
ing out the Nervousness Of his crime, Of
fered to do what the letter requested. The
young man kissed the bankers hand in
token Of his gratitude, said that he had
been foolish and wicked, and would gladly
80 to another country and redeem himself.
The banker then gave him the $1,000,
bought him first class steamer ticket and
gave him dinner at the restaurant. But
nothing he could do or say seemed to raise
the young mans spirits. He was so sad
and broken down that the banker really
pitied him. As he bade him goodby from
the ships side, the hard old man could not
restrain his tears as he thought of the
young and repentant sinner he had saved
from life of crime.
At the end of the fortnight, when he sup.
posed the London banker would have got
back from Paris, the Liverpool banker
wrote to him in great glee of his success in
carrying out his wishes, and of the contrite
youth who had set sail for new scenes with
the bankers blessing.
He got the following reply from London;
"You must be mad. Our cashier never
had son. No securities are missing. Per
haps you have been Sold"
1t was true. He had. The letter was
forged. The securities were worthless. Lie
had thrown away 81, 900, passage to New
York, good dinner and good deal of ad-
vice upon an ingenious swindler
Every Other Saturday.