Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-10-31

EJohnSelden' sDog
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright, 1905, by c. H. HIrt.

copyright, 1906, by c. II. Hirt1
For ten years, or from the time he
was twenty to thirty, John Selden hat
been the cashier of Hendersons pri
vate bank. People said it was a very
responsible place for young man OF
twenty, and some shook their heads
and predicted that temptation would
get the better Of him, but Henderson
smiled at their fears and replied:
John has been a clerk here for -four
years. have tried him out over and
over. There isn't dishonest hair In
his head, and you couldn't put money
enough before him to tempt him ia
steal"
Young Selden did not marry He had
no vices He was pleasant and friendly
with all, but 1t was seldom that he
went out Of an evening. At the bank
he was called "Clockwork." A more
diligent, reliable man never gave his
services to another. At twenty-five he
had the banking business at his fingers
ends. Between that age and thirty he
had as many as ten offers from other
financial institutions. In the ten years
his salary was increased five times
During these ten years, as Selden him.
self stated, he was never under tempta.
ton for q moment.
Then came a horrible temptation.
After awhile it began to tell on his
health. The banker suggested a vaca-
ton. 1t was then that the temptation
triumphed.
After being trailed for q month and
after a dozen almost sleepless nights,
John Selden agreed to do as the I'm.
known wished. He set out without
loss Of time and with feverish anxiety,
and 1t seemed as II Satan aided him.
He packed up 100000 worth Of bonds
and cash after banking hours, walked
out Of the town with a satchel without
being particularly remarked and when
six miles away took a train. He had
made no plans as to where he should
go. Where he did go was to a village
forty miles away. He was iii when he
got Off the train and III for a month al
the hotel. When he recovered he stay
ed on. He was quiet, minded his own
affairs and somehow the villagers came
to believe that he was a detective.
1t so happened that Banker Hender. |
son was the first to discover his loss.
No one could have taken the money but |
his trusted cashier. He was stunned |
for time by the blow. Then he made
up his mind TO q certain thing, and not
a word regarding the missing money
passed his lips. He said that Selden
had gone on vacation. He spoke al.
ways in his praise 1t put him to
great straits to make the shortage
good, but he accomplished it, and not a
breath Of suspicion was raised against
the cashier. The money was gone and
the cashier was gone, but the banker
would not believe that he had been
mistaken In Selden. What he did was
TO call in private detective, swear him
10 secrecy forever and then send him
put on a search. There was no clew
whatever to work on. Selden might
have gone north, east, south or west
It was like hunting for a needle in a
laystack.
The detective had to make a short
Journey to see relative who was Ill.
lie had been about the bank for a
week. Selden had left behind him
little dog-an animal he had had for
our years. Strangely enough, the dog
0ok to the detective at once and fol-
owed him everywhere and acknowl-
dyed him as master. Finding the
anime Mt his heels at the depot, the
detective lifted him up and took him
long. BY and by he got Off at a vii
age.
A day or two later he set out for q
yalk over the highway. The dog fol-
'wed and frisked about. After a
ouple Of miles had been passed the
ian was about to turn back when he {
anne upon man seated on a bank by
le roadside with his head on his ,
ands. While he was yet five rods ,
way the little dog ran ahead and I
'aped upon the stranger and barked 8
nd frlsked and showed every sign Of I
ltense excitement The man did not ?
,pulse him. On the contrary, he lift
! up the animal and fondled and talk
| to him.
1t did not need the astuteness Of a
elective 70 come to conclusion on q
e spot. The dog had found his old 7
aster. The officer advanced and look c
down on the man and said: s
"YOu are John Selden, who robbed s
lnker Henderson" (
eyes" was the reply, and Selden did Il
It even look up. Y
Where have you been sinceW {
I'm the village three miles away" I
where is the money! {,
ut is in my room, every dollar Of 1t. p
ave me the dog. and you may have v
g money" 81
The detective did not put the cashier 81
der arrest. He went with him to
hotel, telegraphed the banker and
1T night Henderson arrived and
ked: B
John, what is 1t? Why did you do d.
"A voice kept telling me to rob the s.
nk," was the reply.
And you have not spent any OF the Ii
'neyY A
Not dollar What are you going A
do with meT' m
Take you to better place in the al
rnlng" BIZ
Yes" said the eminent physician
o examined John Selden next day,
is case of hallucinatiOn. He was
,rworked. 1t might have been sui
e II not robbery. Take him to Ben N
IS sanitarium for couple of months In
| then give him his old place back.
is an honest man with a hallucina-
D." m
Praise Godr answered the banker
he wiped a tear from his eye.
I've lost case" added the de-