Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-26

ployers in my old position, so did / en-
deavOr in my new, and L succeeded in
winning their good opinions Mr.. Haight
very seldom left me in charge Of the
cash-drawer but when he did, L noticed
that he always balanced his account be-
fore going away, and again upon his re-
turn, so that if any mistake should Oc-
cur during that time he might trace it
to me. l felt no offence at this, though
some Of the other clerks tried to make
me believe that the junior partner had
motive in doing il that was far from
praiseworthy.
There is a great deal Of satisfaction, to
one having charge of his employers
money, when, at the close of the days
business, he can balance his cash account
and find it come out correct 10 a cent.
This qualification l shared jointly with
Mr.. Haight. without interruption for
nearly a year, when, one evening, i
noticed that he was longer than usual
in making up his account. Finally, he
turned TO me and said, rather roughly:
Here Penman, see if you can balance
this cash"
Judge of my dismay when, on going
carefully over the account, L found that
we were exactly so short.
Ny face flushed painfully as L made
this discovery, and remembered at the
same time that this was the first day
that Mr.. Haight had given me entire
charge Of the cash. He had been obliged
TO leave town at 8 o'clock that morning,
and at a quarter before had Verlhed
the cash on hand and given me me Key,
admonlshing me to be extremely careiul
in handling the money.
l racked my brain for solution or the
mystery. L felt certain that l had not
%, orro, I had not left the count
irg-rcom the entire day, excepting be-
tween u and / o'clock, when L always
went out for lunch.
The theft, for such / now considered II,
must have taken place during my lunch
hour, and might have been accomplished
with the help of a duplicate key But
Mr.. Haight had told me that there was
but one key; besides, at that time the
Office was entirely unoccupied, all the
clerks going to lunch at the same hour.
These thoughts passed through my nina
I'm a tenth part OF the time required TO
write them and L was aroused from the
painful reverie into which l had fallen
by the voice of the junior partner, which
had become strangely harsh and strain
ed
"Wen, what do you make of it?" he
asked.
l looked him full in the face, and no.
ticed that his features worked convul-
sively.
II make it $50 short" 1 answered, as
quietly as i could.
Fifty dollars shortr ne cried loud
enough to attract the attention OF every
one in both the office and the store.
Startled looks were cast upon us from
all directions. Several Of the employees
walked forward so that they could hear
the better. and good old Mr.. harrington.
whom / reverenced as father, tottered
In from his private office, followed by
his partner. Mr.. Hurd.
What is IL. Mr.. HaightY he asked, IN
his gentle way.
Merely" said the junior partner, with
much excitement and buster, that this
bow Is $50 short in his accounts. and 1t
cannot be found" and then he added, as
II struck with a new idea: And this IS
the first day l have given him entire
charge, too"
All Of them gazed at me suspiciously,
and / read my condemnation in their
eyes, all except Mr.. Harrington. His look
treasured me, and / cried:
IL assure you, Mr.. harrington, that 1t
is no error OF mine. i have been eS-
tremely careful
sThere. there. that will do" said the