The sun., 1903-12-06
M CASSAJON DOES
V. AN ACT OF MERCY.
A French Bankers Experience With
an Ascending Cashier
From London.

I On opening his mail Casa jon, the banker
OF the firm Of Cassajon Il Co., Bordeaux,
found letter from his most important
London correspondent, Mr.. Mackenson,
president Of the bank Of Mackenson Il Co.,
1 house Of tremendous credit and influence
f, with which he had held business relations
for many years.
! This letter read as follows:
. MONSIEUR AND HoNoREp CORRESPONDENTS:
We have come to you to beg that you will do
us favor. Our cashier. In whom We have
: always had the greatest confidence. has en-
bezzled to the amount Of 100000 francs
, He has sailed In the Japan. destination
| Bordeaux.
! Will you huve the kindness to seek his ac-
auaintance without awakening his dstrust
, get possess lon OF the drafts with which he has
absconded and choose your own house
| through which to negotiate them. When
| they are In your possession kindly return
| them to us
| Although he is to blame, we will return
| them to our own funds TO avoid scandal
/ and will follow him no further
| This unfortunate fellow has wife and
! Ave children. He has served is honestly for
twenty-five years. You are to remit to him
| 30 600 francs and you will please cover his
| shame that none may know him
| With all kind regards. DC.
! An exact description Of the criminal
| cashier was given.
| NJ. Cassajon was extremely hattered
| by this confidential mission with which
| he was honored, and he resolved that he
f, would perform IL in a manner worthy Of
the high opinion his correspondent had of
| him.
Therefore he awaited the arrival Of the
japan with great impatience.
The vessel made it's entry into the port
of Bordeaux about II o'clock of a beautiful
morning Cassajon mingled with the loung-
ers upon the wharf and watched the line
Of passengers on the gangway. He easily
recognized the cashier and walked at his
side.
The thief, dressed like a gentleman Of
means, went to one OF the best hotels.
Cassajo Jon followed him. The cashier en-
gagged a room and went to the dining room
for luncheon; Csssaj jon did the same thing.
and took seat beside him.
! He did not need to be introduced, for at
, table d'h6te one becomes acquainted easily.
Therefore he entered into conversation.
! "You have come to travel In France?'
| he asked,
"Yes, I wish to see France
"Ah. you are happy in being able to
travel replied the banker, Travelling
has always been one Of my dreams; but
unhappily business holds me in Bordeaux. v
"AIo you q merchant" r
Banker, of the frm Cassajon Il Co.. at
| your service
How fortunate! I wish to find banker
| to negotiate some drafts Of mine
/ This is a coincidence." said Casa jon:
my house is one Of the best In Bordeaux
and I take great pleasure in putting 1t
| at your disposal"
1T is turning out all right, said the banker
| to himself y shall get him.
Il want to cash the notes. the cashier
went on.
THAT is easy enough-what amount?'
For 900 600 francs. Gan you do it?'
Easily. After luncheon We will 60 to
the SAFE.
Il am delighted to have met you. Let us
70 Immediately for l am in q hurry"
at is n fact" thought the banker, that
thieves are not always clever.
They left the cafe the Englisfnan fo.-
lowing without dtetrust.
The banker brought him into his private
office and offered him chair, Which the
cashier took
@Woud Won give me the notes" said
The Englishman took the drafts from his
pocketbooS and gave them up. ,Cassajon
verified them. They we're, In fact, for
sum Of 400 600 francs.
He put the drafts into mis- strong box,
shut the drawer Of his desk and pulling a
revolver from his pocket he held it to the
face Of the cashier.
Monsieur" he said, you are a thief"
The Engliehuan made gesture of aston
ishment,
1T is useless TO deny it. You are the cashier
OF my honored correspondents In London
OF the firin Mackenson d Co. They have
advised me Of your arrival; from their
description recognized you, and followed
YOU You know the rest.
The Englishrnan tried to rise, but the
banker covered him with his revolver.
"If you take one step I will kill you.'
he said.
sinking back into his chair.
The banker rejoiced in his triumph.
IAN resistance will be useless" he said;
'at the east movement call and will have
you arrested
"My poor wife, my dear childrenl'
How was it possible for you. the father
of a family, 80 to forget your duty?" asked
Cassajon.
Il put up money on the races and placed
everything on the DaERnter ol tne NoTtn,
a mare that stole II all away"
ut is you who have stolen the drafts OF
your directors.
Il lost my head
A cashier should never bet, said Cas-
salon, sententiously.
Il am wretch. l would like to kill
myself. Give me the revolver"
sNo, not here. Your directors have
given me Instructions for your disposal
Il submit to them In advance.
-Out Of regard to your children and to
your past services they do not wish to
make scandal. nor will they prosecute.
-Thanks for my poor wife" groaned the
thief
by a generosity that you will appre-
ciate the Arm Of Mackenson 4 Co. has
instructed me to remit TO you $1,000 francs
80 that you may begin again elsewhere.
that you may be a better man and become
once more honest.
Il will remain honest, ! swear to you,
said the cashier moved to tears.
Il hold you to It," said the banker count
ing the fifty notes, I 900 francs each. These
he gave to the absconder, who put them in
his pocket and left, expressing again and
again his thanks.
The banker, satisfied in his mind as to
the way In which he had acquitted HIM
self Of his task, wrote as follows to his
clients: