Free press., 1907-02-09

finally, things going on so we'll they took
longer holidays than usual and didn't mind
about being away both together. HMr.
Smedley" was now practically the firm and
clients asked for no one else. If one of the
just said, How dye do?" and then said
he would wait and see Mr.. Smedley.
When things were in this delightful posi-
ton Mr.. Smedley was very different from
the Jack Smedley of old days. He was as
handsome and amiable as ever. but not so
economical. He had beautiful house in
town. and his wife had her horses and dia-
monds, and they gave grand parties and had
launched out in life which was a costly
and extravagant one
Everybody knew that Jack didn't do it on
year on $1,000. But there was va no EiySU mystery
about it. Jack. with his intimate knowi-
edge of the markets. had made coup after
Why, it was common gossip that during
one panic he had made over G3O, 900 in
American rails, and out of the electric light
boom while it had lasted he had cleared
another 100000
One day-it 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
Of course Jack thanked them effusivelv
dream of his life-never repay their kind
ness, etc.
Iuen Iney went INTO details and explained
that as 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-
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 go
out OF town to see a client of the firms
shares in various undertakings and invest
in ConsoIs.
He didn't go to the office and the partners
were afraid he ill and sent up to his
house. Mrs Smedley, astonished, wrote a
note to say he had gone out of town for
Then the partners were astonished, too.
and couldn't make it out; and didn't until
horror and amazement by informing them
that there was 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 doubt to the motive
of the confidential clerks disappearance
he had embezzled during the last five years
abfn about SO So, 900. and the offer of a partner
of the books, and that balancing he had not
thought it advisable to honor with his pres
ence.
Jack Smedley's disappearance was
nine days wonder on the stock exchange,
and then it forgotten. The partners
whose confidence Jack had so shamefully
abused felt bound 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
0f fha
gitive
Poor Rose at first utterly refused to be-
lieve that her husband had gone off
unceremonious1y. Day after day she ex-
pected that he would find some means of
communicating with her and letting her