Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-08-08
HE KEPT HIS WORD.
PeLEo SAID HE WOULD GET RICH
QUICKLY, AND HE DID.
IL Required Patience and Nerve to
Gerry Ont the scheme He Concoct-
ed, hut He Had Both-wenlth That
Bought Ostrncism

Bought ostrncism.
Few men showed greater cleverness
in planning to get rich or more nerve
In carrying out the plan than old Peleg
Kenyon. who died years ago in Girls
void Conn. Kenyon's acres were
broad. his cattle were sleek and fat,
his fences were well kept up. his barns
were big. and his house was in good
repair. but he had no friends. and he
died alone and uncared for. Peleg was
the son OF a close listed Yankee couple
and was born in the house in which he
died. His parents wanted him TO be n
farmer, like his father Peleg did as
they wished till the elder Kenyon died,
when the boy was II. He then told
his mother that he was tired of farm
life and was going to Boston, where
he was sure he could make his pile"
much sooner than in Griswold. She
did her best TO keep him home. but
presently he made his words good. AS
he passed through the gate she shook
her fist in his face and screamed out:
Don't you dare TO come back to me
till you have made your piler'
None of Mrs. Kenyon's neighbOrs
blamed the old lady. for after Peleg
had gone she had to take his place be-
tween the pillow handles and in the hay
field or let the farm go uncultivated.
Peleg went 10 work in n machine
shop first and speedily became the butt
Of the other employees from his con-
slant talk about getting rich quickly
Later he became night Waterman in n
warehouse owned by Henry Hender-
son, an importer of West Indian goods
There Peleg became a favorite because
Of his faithfulness and readiness TO do
all sorts Of odd jobs about the place.
and Henderson himself soon placed IN
limited confidence in the lanky watch
man. Meanwhile the latter profiting
by his machine shop training In work
ing metals, made duplicate keys to the
cash box and the big iron safe, com
bination keyless locks not having been
Invented at that time. For two or
three years he made use Of the false
keys. Night after night he went
through the cash box, often finding
from $1,000 to $1,000 cash in hand that
had been received too late for banking
hours, but not enough TO suit his pur-
pose.
One Saturday afternoon, after the
banks had shut and just before the
closing Of the warehouse for the day.
cash to the amount Of S105, 900 was
turned In to pay for n cargo Of mo-
lasseS. The safe was considered fire
and burglar proof, and Henderson had
no hesitation in leaving the money
Thnrp This Dolce
Soon after dark he opened the safe.
wadded the money into his pockets and
took the next train for his old home
BY midnight he was hiding his booty,
at in the morning he was on the train
returning to Boston and. of course, was
in his place at the warehouse on Mon
day morning when the day force came
on. Naturally there was tremendous
excitement when the theft was discov-
cred, and naturally Peleg was Ques-
toned minutely. He affected profound
Ignorance. No stranger had been about
the place. he said, and he hadn't been
away from 1t after dark. He couldn't
offer the slightest suggestion. he made
no effort 10 run away, and his employ
er still believed in him.
But few days later, urged by the
police, Henderson caused Peleg's ar
rest. He took it coolly-too coolly. in
fact-and, Henderson's faith beginning
TO waver. he went 10 the jail and put
the Waterman through another course
OF questions. Then Kenyon owned up.
10 the infinite disgust and indignation
of Henderson, who threatened impris-
onment.
That's what I've expected" said
Peleg. eco right ahead According 10
the law of the state, the heaviest sen
tence that can be imposed on one who
steals from his employer is sever
years, and that's a short time in which
to earn $105,000. After I've taken my
legal punishment for theft the money
is mine, don't you seeT'
Henderson was amazed, but, on find
ing that Kenyon knew what he was
talking about, offered him 1000 and
freedom if he would return the money
Peleg laughed at him and also at sew
erRl more favorable propositions and
then made a counter proposition to re
turn $4,000. retaining $4,000 If Hen
derson would sign a paper agreeing
not to prosecute. Henderson refused
at first, but yielded after six weeks
delay, becoming pressed for ready
funds.
Peleg went home, crawled under the
stable, fetched out the cash, gave $780,
600 to Henderson and pocketed the re.
mainder. Then he went into the house
put the money down in front Of his
mother and declared that, having
made his pile" he was ready to share
it with her. She declined to have any,
thing to do with him, and he went
back to Boston, made investments in
city and suburban real estate and grew
richer every year. Every business ven
ture he made turned out well, though
socially he was Ostracized. In time his
mother died, and he returned to the
old farm, which he made the finest IN
the county. BE wac worth $3.50. OOC
when he died, sitting bolt upright be
fore pile OF gold and bank notes
With the purpose of partial restitution
no doubt, all his property was willed tc
the heirs of Henry Henderson.-NeW
York Press.
Ready For II.