The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-08-30

next morning, ne greeted the nO0r-
walker as kindly as heretofore and
proceeded about his days work. That
evening he invited King and Ralliston,
two of the clerks who worked near his
counter, to call around that evening as
he wished to see them on important
business. The men arrived promptly,
and after Bart had explained the case
to them, they both remarked: "Impos.
sible! Such thing was never heard
Of"
"Boys, it is a fact, and we should
lose no time in getting at the bottom
of the thing. admit that it is pre-
posterous; but you have every reason
to know Roach, the general manager,
and also what kind of man the floor
walker is."
"Bart, your surmise is correct" re-
piled King, "for I, too, have found
several pieces of money on the coun-
ter, but never gave the matter
moments thought"
81 also recollect similar instances"
chimed in Ralliston. and will back
Bart to the last ditch in everything he
may undertake to expose the habit"
swell, boys, as we have established
the fact beyond doubt, have you any
suggestions to offer as to what should
be done?"
Neither King nor Ralliston could
think of plan, so they left it to Bart.
He then unfolded scheme that, if it
worked satisfactorily, would make
both the manager and the floor-walker
look ridiculous. His scheme was this:
That they we're to watch the floor
walker very closely, and when he was
seen placing piece of money on his
(Bart's) counter, they were to give him
a signal. Whereupon he would at
once step to the front of the store,
calling the floor-walker's attention to
the shabbiness of the display windows.
They were to follow, thus proving
complete aIibi for the three of them.
Ralliston was then to have his friend,
the lady cashier, come and take the
coin. This would surely make things
interesting
That evening the floor-walker tried
his little experiment, but instead Of
placing a twenty-five or fifty-cent
piece as heretofore, he was determined
to make the test complete and placed
a five-dollar gold piece on the counter.
King saw the movement and gave the
prearranged signal. Bart Immediately
left for the front of the store before
the foor-walker had time to look
around and ascertain whether he was
observed.
The plan worked fine, and when the
three eonspirators, accompanied by
the foor-walker, returned, the latter
gentleman discovered that the gold
: piece was missing. He instantly &C.
cused Bart of stealing it, and sum
moned the manager.
"What," hotly exclaimed Bart, "de
you accuse me of stealing?"
81 do, sir"
"W hat proof have you that l stole
1 the money!"
"This: The foor-walker with my
sanction, placed five dollar goli
: . piece on your counter few moment''
: ago to test your honesty, and no ont
! has been near there SINCE"
: 81 was fully aware of his design, ant
left Immediately for the front of th'
: store; the hoor-walker can vouch fo
my statement, as he, Mr.. King and MI
Ralliston were present at the time"
9 The manager was getting very ex
3 cited by this time and would listen t.
t, no explanations that did not lead t.
d producing the gold piece. He sent TO
Is a policeman and had Bart arrested Of
+ q charge of larceny.
y, This is just the turn which Bart ha'
J. hoped would take place, but at n
Is time did he mention it to King %
's Rallistou. shortly after his arrival q
the station he penned and sent th
q following note to Mr.. Roach, the ger
r eral manager who had caused hi
D. arrest:
"My dear Mr.. Roach
10 l Isuppose it is unnecessary for m