Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-14

'o' 'h'hS' bO'"e ." y" "'"' my 'ooh
longer holidays than usual and didn't mind
about being away both together: Mr.;
smedley" was now practically the firm, and
just said. How dye do?" and then said
he would wait and see MIR, S%medley.
When things were in this delightful posi-
ton Mr.. Smedley was very different from
the Jack smedley of old days. He was as
economical. He had a beautiful house in
town, and his wife had her horses and dia-
monds. and they gave grand parties and had
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 a
about 1t. Jack, with his intimate knowl-
edge Of the markets, had made coup after
coup on his own account, 50 it was said.
one panic he had made over $50 900 in
American rails. and out Of the electric light
boom while II had lasted he had cleared
One day-it was a week before the din
ner party referred to at the opening of
this narrative-the partners came up to
town smiling and bland. and when they
arrived at the Office they invited Mr.. Smed-
ley to favor them with a few moments con-
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.
OF course Jack thanked them effusively
dream of his life-never repay their kind
ness, etc.
Then they went into details and explained
that as there was to be a 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-iike 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
meDce his labors. On the following MORN
ing Mr.. Smedley packed his portmanteau
and kissed his wife, telling her he had to go
who was iii and wanted to sell out his
shares in various undertakings and invest
in Consols.
He didn't go to the ONCE and the partners
were afraid he was Ill and sent up to his
house. Mrs. Smedley. astonished, wrote n
note to say he had gone out Of town for
the firm.
Then the partners were astonished, too,
and couldn't make II out and didn't until
the accountant struck them speeches. with
horror and amazement by informing them
that there was n sum OF nearly $50. 900
which was not properly accounted for, and
which he wanted to know about before he
could balance.
This led to a closer investigation, and
then there was no doubt as to the motive
of the confidential clerks disappearance.
He had embezzled during the last Ave years
about 100000. and the offer OF a partner
ship had necessitated a thorough balancing
OF the books, and that balancing he had not
thought 1t advisable to honor with his pres
ence,
Jack Smedley's disappearance was a
nine days wonder on the stock exchange,
and then II was forgotten. The partners
whose confidence Jack had so shamefully
abused felt bound on public grounds to take
some steps In the matter, and they deter
mined to prosecute him. and the police is
sued advertisements and a reward was Of
fered for his apprehension. But not the
slightest trace was ever found of the fu-
gitive.
Poor Rose at first utterly refused To be-
lieve that her husband had gone OFF SO
unceremoniously. Day after day she ex-
pected that he would md some means OF
communicating with her and letting her
know where he was. She gave up everything