The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-08-27
THE DOCKFELT CASE
By Ward nacauiey and James Backham.
AIR. PAUL DOCKFELT, of the firm
wi Of Dockfelt & Freeman, No. 12o

IN his private Office, engrossed IN the
affairs of one of the largest retail gro
cery stores in Buffalo. He was taii'
snare man, and to an ordinary observer
his appearance was very prepossessing,
His clear-cut, kindly face dispiayeo
character in every line-the face OF
shrewd yet strictly honorable ana
thoroughly sympathetic man. indeed,
Paul Dockfelt was a man OF high and
sincere aims, as well as of public spirit,
and his numerous friends were con-
formulating a movement to nominate
him for alderman from his ward.
At the moment when Mr.. Dockfeit had
dipped his pen to write an Important
business letter, he was interrupted by
a loud commotion in the main store, the
character of which he could not de-
termine. as his office was inclossd.
After listening impatiently for mo-
ment, he rose and strobe out into the
store. As he entered the main room, ne
observed that the disturbance pro-
ceeded from the cashiers office. An
alteration seemed to be going on be-
tween the cashier, Fred Thomas, and
the head clerk, Edward Balfour.
Fred Thomas, although he had been
in Mr.. Dockfelt's employ but six weeks
was already a great favorite with his
EMPLOYER. Indeed, it was whispered
among the clerks that, in time, the hrm
name would be Dockfelt d Thomas;
for Mr.. Dockfelt had no junior partner
At that time, Richard Freeman having
died some time before. For the sake OF
long standing, however, Mr.. Dockfelt
retained the old firm name.
Mr.. Balfour was also quite favorite
with Mr.. Dockfelt, in whose employ he
had been about three months.
II was with great surprise and re-
rret. therefore, that Mr.. Dockfelt saw
the young men engaged in quarrel.
He walked up quietly behind the en-
ragged clerks, who were so furious at
each other that they did not notice his
approach, and tapping Mr.. Balfour on
the back, said, in stern voice:
eWhat is the trouble here, Balfour?'
"Trouble enough, sir" replied the
head clerk, wheeling around and adj
dressing his employer. II sent check
for 25 cents down here, together with
a ten-dollar bill, and now Mr.. Thomas
is abusing me for sending him an empty
carrier"
Allows this, Thomas?" demanded
the astonished grocer.
"I'm sure / don't know, sir" sail
Thomas. "All know is. that, just now
Mr.. Balfour's cash-carrier came along
the wire. I took 1t down, and finding
1t empty, thought Mr.. Balfour was play
ing trick on me, SO l sent the carrie
back-empty, of course. A minute late
he came rushing up and angrily de
mands the cause of my sending him n
change. That's all know about it."
'Mr. Thomas" said the merchant
sternly, "give Mr.. Balfour his chang'
Mr.. Balfour, you may take it to tn
customer. Then return Immediately
until we settle this affair. Hurry!"
Briefly, the cash system used by Nj
Dockfelt was as follows: Each cler
was provided with small blank bool
opening at the top. Each page wa
perforated in the middle. On each sid
Of the perforation the clerk wrote ii
amount of the sale. He would then ties
across the perforation and send tt
lower half to the cashiers desk in OF
of the small cash cups or carriers con
monty used in retail store. Togeth'
with this check, or ''tip," as the d
tached slip of paper is called, the sale
man would inclose the money. II
cashier would put the tip on bill fl
or spindle;- and thus the amount on Il
spindle belonging to each clerk shou
tally with the total of the stubs
his book. This is the method in gener
use in retail stores.
whensAEr. Balfour returned, the me
chant said. sharply: 81 suppose y
have no objection to being searche'
Each Of you may first describe t
contents of your pocketbooks. b
four?"
"Mine contains three silver doiia
a Ave dollar bill, some small chanl
and six car tickets" answered the he
clerk.
"Thomas?'
"Mine contains two fives, one silly
dollar, some small change, two pc
age stamps and three car tickets"
Mr.. Balfour then produced his poi
etbook, and it was found to contain
actly what was enumerated. Mr.. Do
felt searched the clerks pockets,
nothing suspicious came to light.
He then went through the same
Grafton with Thomas-with the sa
result Next, Mr.. Dockfelt examiI
the cash-desk, and ascertained Il
there were no ten-dollar bills in
drawer. After instructing Mr.. Thor
to charge the missing sum to loss {
FL L. <,G