Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-07

finally, things going on so we'll, they took
longer holidays than usual and didn't mind mine
about being away both together. Mr..
Smedley" was now practically the firm, and
clients asked for no one else, If one Of the
partners was in and saw a client, the client
just said. How dye do?" and then said
he would wait and Mr.. Smedey.
When things were in this delightful posi-
ton Mr.. Smedley was very different from
handsome and amiable as ever, but not so
economical; He had beautiful house in
town; and his wife had her horses and dia;
launched out in a life which was a costly
and eXtravagant one.
Everybody knew that Jack didn't do it on
his salary You don't live up to $4,000
year f1,000. But there was no mystery
about it. Jack, with his intimate knowl-
edge of the markets. had made coup after
coup on his own account, so it was said.
Why, it was common gossip that during
one panic he had made 100000 in
American rails, and out Of the electric light
boom while it had lasted he had cleared
another $40, 1000.
One day--it was week before the din
this narrative-the partners came up to
town smiling and bland, and when they
arrived at the office they invited Mr.. Smed-
versation in their private room.
They told him that in consideration of his
talents and his long, faithful service, they
had determined to take him into partner
ship.
or course Jack thanked them effusively
dream of his lfe-never repay their kind
ness, etc.
Then they went into details and explained
that there was to be partnership, every
thing must of course be done in a proper
way, and so an accountant would come
and go through the books and put every
thing straight, so that they might make a
perfectly fair and business-like start as be-
tween themselves and their new and junior
partner
quite right" said Jack; and it was
arranged that the accountant should come
in on the following Monday to get the ac-
counts straight and then the deeds should
be drawn up and the partnership should be
settled.
The night of the dinner party was the
night before the accountant was to COM
mence his labors. On the following morn
ing Mr.. Smedley packed his portmanteau
and kissed his wife, telling her he had to &c
out of town to see client of the firm
who i'll and wanted to sell out his
shares in various undertakings and invest
in Consols.
He didn't go to the Office and the partner!
were afraid he was i'll and sent up to hi
house. Mrs. smedley, astonished wrote /
note to say he had gone out of town fol
Then the partners were astonished too
and couldn't make it out; and didn't unit
the accountant struck them speechless witt
horror and amazement by informing then
that there was sum of nearly 100000
which was not properly accounted for, ant
which he wanted to know about before III
could balance.
This led to a closer investigation, anC
then there was no doubt as to the motive
of the confidential clerks disappearance
He had embezzled during the last five year
about $50, 900, and the offer OF a partner
ship had necesstated thorough balancing
of the books. and that balancing he had no
thought it advisable to honor with his pres
ence.
Jack Smedleys disappearance was
nine days wonder on the stock exchange
and then it was forgotten. The partner
whose confidence Jack had so shameful
abused felt bound on public grounds to TAX
some steps in the matter, and they deter
sued advertisements and reward was OF
fered for his apprehension. But not tn
slightest trace was ever found of the fu
gitive.
Poor Rose at first utterly refused to be
leve that her husband had gone off S
unceremoniously. Day after day she eH
pected that he would find some means {
communicating with her and letting he
l.nnut who're he WIS She gave I'D eXerYthin