The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-08-27

The very next morning the mystery
Mr.. Dockfelt was again ap-
peaied to by Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Bal
four. who made the same statement as
on the previous mornings bill had
been sent to the cashier and had DIS
appeared. Mr.. Dockfelt again searched
each of the clerks, but did not discover
the missing money, which was, In this
cage, a $50 DILL.
When the same thing happened on
the next day, too, Mr.. Dockfelt was
nerplexed and exasperated beyond
words. for he saw, if this pilfering con-
tinued. that he might be seriously al
fected. Yet he did not wish to DIS
charge both of the clerks, as TINS
would surely prevent his discovering
the guilty party.
On the morning of the fourth day.
when he arrived at the store, MT. DOCK
felt was much incensed to find the
doors not yet opened, although 1t was
later by ten minutes than the usuai
time. He opened the store himself
and waited, impatiently, for the clerks
to arrive. Soon the shipping clerk ap-
neared. to his employers great relief
for he had some shipments which ne
wished sent out as early as possible.
Then the other clerks began to ar
rive. and among them Balfour ana
Thomas. The former was one OF the
first to take his place, and he sson
made a sale.
Now. the store was built, as gro
cer;es often are, in two divisions, SO
that It was impossible for Mr.. Balfour
at his post to see who was making
change. Mr.. Dockfelt purposely took
Mr.. Thomas place, just as the carrier
came along from Balfour's counter
The nroprietor was curious to see
whether the money would be tnere;
He took down the carrier, and found
the tin and bill there, exactly as would
lbe expected. Mr.. Dockfelt stayed at
ltbe cashiers desk for half an hour or
more. and every time that Balfour's
carrier came up, the money was sa1e'
This certainly looked bad for Thomas.
The next day the climax was capped
land more than capped. Mr.. baifoui
was down late, so Mr.. Dockfelt under
took to wait on a customer at MS
counter. The gentleman bought some
miscellaneous groceries, and gave IL
payment a silver dollar. The cnange
arrived for that all right; but the next
. customer rendered in payment hve
, dollar bill, and Dockfelt sent 1T along
| to the cashier.
: The cup came back empty.
' Mr.. Dockfelt lost his temper, ant
rushing furiously to the cashiers desk
: demanded of Thomas what had be
t come of bills and checks. The cashie'
S merely replied that he had receives
q an empty carrier, and so returned II
"yery WE'LL" said Mr.. Dockfelt
y "Giye me my change, and then com
e into the office. Simpson will keep tn
: cash."
k Mr.. Thomas was very sober whe'
b he entered the merchants private OF
S fee, and had nothing to say when MI
y Dockfelt remarked, pointedly, that h
was sorry the theft had occurred. MI
d Dockfelt continued:
"Fred, have / not always been kin
d to you? Have I not done my best
v, YOU? Tell me, have ever treated yo
g meaply?"
2 "Mr. Dockfelt," replied Thoma
y during the short time have worke
# for you, you have always been tn
,r kindest of employers. also think thu
e. have tried to serve you well ar
10 faithfully. Therefore, it grieves n
sorely to see that you must now su
t, pect me of dealing dishonesty wit
e. YOU. In this matter, however, you a
ne mistaken. am innocent"
v, "Iwish from the bottom of my hear
Fred, that / could believe you" a
II. swered his employer. "But how CT
rk I? You say you are innocent. Th'
k, who did steal the money. You sure
as don't accuse both Balfour and myse
de of conspiracy against you? You e
be IDENTIFY did not know / was clerkil
ar when you secreted the money"
he "Then you believe me guilty, n
ne Dockfelt?"
M eyes, Fred, it is not possible for I
er to come to any other conclusion"
le- "Well, them" said Mr.. Thom'
es- "what do you propose to do with m
he Have you already sent out for an o
lie Ger to arrest me?"
he mo, Fred, no. / called you to 81
lid you another chance. Surrender
in stolen money, apologize to Balfo
raj and all will be WELL"
ibid / not tell you was innocent
err cried Thomas. "What, then, have !
'ou surrender or apologize for?"
ID? "Well, Fred, I'll leave it open," 81
the Mr.. Dockfelt. "If anything more
'al- stolen, I'll discharge you. You n
go back to your desk now"