Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-02-27
John Selden' S Dog
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copyright. 1906. by g. H. Hirt.l
For ten years, or from the time he
was twenty to thirty, Jnhn Selden had
been the cashier of Henderson's pri-
waite bank. People said It was very
responsible place for a 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 res'lied:
John has been clerk here for four
years. have tried him OUT over and
over There isn't a dishonest hair in
his head, and you couldn't put money
enough before him to tempt him to
steal'
Young Selden did not marry. He had
10 vices. He was pleasant anc friendly
with all, but it was seldom Uiat he
went out of an evening. At the bank
he was called 'Clockwork." 4 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 ether
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 moment.
Then came horrible temptation.
After awhile it began to tell on his
health. The banker suggested a yaea-
ton. 1t was then that the temptation
triumphed
After being trailed for month and
after 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 it seemed as if Satan aided him.
He packed up 100000 worth of bonds
and cash after banking hours. walked
out of the town with satchel without
being particularly remarked and when
six miles away took train. He had
made no plans as to where he should
60 Where he did so was to village
forty miles away. He was Ill when he
got off the train and Ill for month at
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 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 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 a private detective, swear him
to secrecy forever and then send him
out on search. There was no clew
whatever to work on. Selden might
have gone north, east. south or west.
1t was like hunting for a needle in a
haystack.
The detective had to make a short
Journey to see relative who was i'll
He had been about thu bank for a
week. Selden had left behind him a
little dog-an animal he bad had for
four years. Strangely enough, the dog
took to the detective at once and fol
lowed him everywhere AMI acknowl
edged him as mastsr Finding the
canine at his heels at the depot, Tic
detective lifted him up and took h;li
along. BY and by ne got OF at VII
lare.
A day or two later he set ont for a
walk over the highya The dog fell
lowed and frisked about. After Il
couple of miles hal been passed II Q
man was about to turn back when Le
came upon man stated on bank BIZ
the roadside with his head on his
hands. While he was yet five rods
away the little Dig ran ahead and
leaped upon the stranger and barked
and frisked and showed every sign of
intense excitement. The man did not
repulse him. On the contrary. he lift
/, ed up the animal ard fondled and talk
ed to him.
1t did not need the astuteness of
detective to come to a conclusion on
the spot The dog had found his old
master. The officer advanced and look
ed down on the maa and said:
"You are John Selden, who robbed
Banker Henderson"
YES" was the reply. and Selaen dill
not even look up.
Where have you been since?"
I'm the village three miles away"
Where is the money!"
at is in my room, every dollar of it.
Leave me the dog, and you may have
the money"
The detective did not put the cashier
under arrest. He went with him to
his hotel, telegraphed the banker, and
that night Henderson arrived and
asked:
John, what Is 1t? Why did you do