The Van Buren press., 1898-08-06


but TO determine which was no easy
task. To be sure. Of the two men, Mr..
Dockfelt preferred Mr. Thomas; still,
be could not help seeing that his faforite
had the better chance, not only TO take
the money. but 10 seerete il as well.
Again. If Mr.. Balfour wished to steal,
how much better il would have been TO
sell the goods and pocket the money.
/ This was a strong point against
Thomas. The only possible reason
why Balfonr should have sent the
empty carriage to Thomas was to
create a suspicion against the hitter
| in case either were suspected Of theft.
Whoever the thief was, Mr.. Doekfelt
said to himself, he Was certainly the
most daring. as well as the sliekest Of
rogues.
The very nest morning the mystery
deepened. Mr.. Dockfelt was again ap-
pealed to bg 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.. Dockfelt again searched
each of the clerks. but did not discover
the missing money, which was, in this
case, $50 dill.
Mr.. Dockfclt Was very much puzzled.
What bold or clever thief WAS this who
dared 10 steal the very day after the
/ first theft, when he must know that
the proprietor would be keenly watch
| ful.
When the same thing happened on
the next day, too. Mr. Dockfelt was
perplexed and exasperated beyond
words, for he saw, IL this pilfering con
tinned, that he might be seriously af-
fected. Yet he did not wish 10 dis
ehaige both of the clerks, as this
would surely prevent his discovering
the guilty party.
On the morning of the fourth day,
when he 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. lie opened the store himself.
and waited, impatiently, for the clerks
to arrive. Soon the shipping clerk ap-
peared, 10 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 soon
made sale.
Now. the store was built. as gro
ceries often are. IN fsyo divisions. .
that IL vas impossible Tor Mr. BalfouE
at his post 20 see who was making
change. Sir. Doekfelt parpsoselE fook
Mr. Thomas place just - the carrier
came along from BaIfour'z counter.
The proprietor was curious o see
whether the money HOuld be there.
He took down the carrier. and fOand
the tip and BIZ there. exactly as would
be expected Mr. D0eafeit staEea a.
the cashiers desk for half A hour OF
more. and eferf tine that BaIfoHr's
carrier came up. the money was safe.
This certainly looked bad for Thomas
The uezt day the climax was eapped
and more than capped NJ. Balfour
was down late, % 1Ir. Doekfelt under
took 10 wait On 3 customer al his
counter. The gentleman bought some
miscellaneous groceries, and gave in
payment q silver dollar. The change
arrived for that all right; but the next
customer rendered in payment FIVE
dollar bill, and DOckfelt sent 1t along
TO the cashier.
The emp came back empty.
MIR. 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 we'll" said Mr.. Dockfelt.
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
fee. and had nothing TO say when Mr..
Dockfelt remarked, pointedly, that he
was sorry the theft had occurred. Mr..
Doclfelt continued:
Fred. 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
kindest Of employers. also think that
I -. 10 t.ra1l aud
faithfully. Therefore, il grieyes me
sorely to see that you must now sus-
pect me OF dealing dishonesty with
you. In this matter, however, you are
mistaken. ] am 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. Non surely
don't accuse both Balfour and myself
of conspiracy against you? You evil
dently did not know | was clerking
when you secreted the money"
"Thcn you believe me guilty, Mr.
Dockfelt?" ?"
'Ies, Fred, il 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 an off
Ger TO arrest me?"
'No, Fred. no. | called you 10 give
you another chance. Surrender the
stolen money, apologize to Balfour.
and all will be we'll"
"Did not tell you was innocent ?''
cried Thomas. "What, then. have l to
surrender or apologize for?'
'Wcll. Fred, I'll leave il open" said