Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-07-14

the cdSnler 3 once. Either Mr. BdlfOur
or Mr.. Thomas was the guilty party;
but to determine which was no easy
task. To be sure, of the two men, Mr..
Dockfelt preferred Mr.. Thomas; still,
he could not help seeing that his favorite
had the better chance, not only to take
the money, but to secrete it as well.
Again, if Mr.. Balfour wished to steal.
how much better it would have been to
sell the goods and pocket the money.
This was a strong point against
Thomas. The only possible reason
why Balfour should have sent the
empty carriage to Thomas was to
create a suspicion against the latter,
In case either were suspected of theft.
Whoever the thief was, Mr.. Dockfelt
said to himself, he was certainly the
most daring, as well as the slickest of
rogues.
The very next morning the mystery
deepened. Mr.. Dockfelt was again ap-
pealed to by Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Bal
four, who made the same statement as
on the previous morning. bill had
been sent to the cashier and had dis
appeared. Mr.. Dockfeltagains searched
each of the clerks, but did not discover
the missing money, which was, in this
case, a $50 DILL.
Mr.. Dockfelt was very much puzzled.
What bold or clever thief was this who
dared to steal the very day after the
first theft, when he must know that
the proprietor would be keenly watch
full.
When the same thing happened on
the next day, too, Mr.. Dockfelt was
perplexed and eXasperated beyond
words. for he saw, if this pilfering con-
tinued. that ne might be seriously af-
fected. Yet he did not wish to dis
charge both of the clerks. as this
would surely prevent his discovering
the guilty party.
On the morning of the fourth day,
whenhe arrived at the store, Mr.. Dock
felt was much incensed to find the
doors not yet opened. although it was
later by ten minutes than the usual
time. He opened the store himself,
and waited, impatiently, for the clerks
to arrive. Soon the shipping clerk APP
peared, to his employers great relief.
for he had some shipments which he
wished sent out as early as possible.
Then the other clerks began to ar
rive, and among them Balfour and
Thomas. The former was one of the
first to take his place. and he socn
made n sale.
Now. the store was built. as gro
ceries often are, in two divisions. so
that it was impossible for Mr.. Balfour
at his post to see who was making
fool
Mr.. Thomas place, just as the carrier
came along from Balfour's counter.
The proprietor was curious to sec
whether the money would be there.
He took down the carrier, and found
the tip and bill there. exactly as would
be expected. Mr.. Dockfelt stayed at
the cashiers desk for half an hour or
more, and every time that Balfour's
carrier came up, the money was safe.
This certainly looked bad for Thomas.
The next day the climax was capped
and more than capped. Mr.. Balfour
was down late. so Mr.. Dockfelt under
took to wait on a customer at his
counter. The gentleman bought some
miscellaneous groceries, and gave in
payment n silver dollar. The change
arrived for that all right: but the next
customer rendered in payment five
dollar bill, and DockfeIt sent it along
to the cashier.
The cup came back empty.
Mr. Dockfelt lost his temper, and
rushing furiously to the cashiers desk,
demanded of Thomas what had be-
come of bills and checks. The cashier
merely replied that he had received
an empty carrier, and so returned it.
VERY. WELL" said Mr.. DockfeIt.
"Give me my change, and then come
into the office. Simpson will keep the
cash"
Mr.. Thomas was very sober when
he entered the merchants private Of
flee. and had nothing to say when Mr..
Dockfelt remarked. pointedly. that he
was sorry the theft had occurred. Mr..
Dockfelt continues:
Erred, have | not always been kind
to you? Have ! not done my best by
you? Tell me. have | ever treated you
meanly?"
"Mr. Dockfelt,' replied Thomas.
during the short time | have worked
for you, you have always been the
have tried to serve you well and
faithfully. Therefore. it grieves me
sorely to see that you must now sus-
pect me of dealing dishonesty with
you. In this matter. however. you are
mistaken. | ain innocent"
"Iwish from the bottom of my heart,
Fred, that / could believe you" an
swered his employer. But how can
l? You say you are innocent. Then
who did steal the money. You surely
don't accuse both Balfour and myself
of conspiracy against you? You evil
IDENTITY did not know | was clerking
when YOU secrcted the money.
"Then you believe me guilty. Mr..
DockfeIt?"
"Yes, Fred. it is not possible for me
to come to any other conclusion"
well, then" said Mr.. Thomas.
what do you propose to do with me?
Have you already sent out for n Off
Ger to arrest me?''
NO, Fred. no. l called you TO give
YOU another chance. Surrender the
stolen money, apologize to Balfour,
and all will be WELL
did | not tell you was innocent?"
cried Thomas. What. then. have / to
surrender or apologize for?''
well. Fred. I'll leave it opeE," said
Mr.. Dockfelt. IF anything more is
stolen. I'll discharge you. You may
go back to your desk now"
The next morning Mr.. Thomas came
4