Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-31


No, sir; | have not sold a shawl ike
that for two months. know the price
well enough, and | wouldn't sell it for
less than ten dollars
Il didn't buy it of him. l bought it CT
boy" said Mrs. Blake.
1t must have been that stupid Con
raj" exclaimed Mr. Drummond, angrily.
Wait till he comes in, and I'll haul him
over the GOALS"
Then you won't let my friend have
another like it for five dollarsT'
NO." said Mr.. Drummond, provoked.
Il don't do business that way. I've lost
nearly three dollars by that shawl of
yours. You ought to make up the whole
sale price to me'
Il shan't DO it," said Mrs. Blake. IF
you've made a mistake, it's your lookout.
| wasn't willing to pay more than five
dollars
The two ladies were about to leave the
store when Mr.. Drummond said: The
boy will be back directly. l wish you
would wait few minutes, so that if he
denies it you can prove it upon him.
i've got a call to make" said Mrs.
Blake, but III come in again in about
an hour
They left the store, and Mr.. DrummOnd
began to berate the absent Walter. He
was provoked to find that he had lost two
dollars and a half. and. if Walter rad
been in receipt of any wages, would have
stopped the amount out of his salary. Bat,
n nj tal fAr thic nlon Of ranris sol
our hero received his board only, and
that could not very we'll be levied upon.
However, he might have some money in
his possession, and Mr.. Drummond decid-
ell to require him to make up the loss.
when did she say she bought the
shawl, Mr.. Nichols?" asked his employer.
About fortnight ago.
"Will you look con the books, and see
if you find the sale recorded? | am sur
prised that it escaped my attention"
Nichols looked over the book of sales,
and announced that no such entry could
be found. Mr.. Drummond was surprised.
Though not inclined to judge others aIy
too charitably, he had never suspected
Walter of dishonesty.
Are you sure you looked back far
enough:" he asked.
YES" said Nichols; ito make sure,
looked back four weeks. The woman said
only fortnight, you know"
Il know. Then it seems Conrad mas
concealed the sale and kept the money"
Perhaps" suggested Nichols, who
rather liked Walter, "he forgot to put it
down."
"If he did, he forgot to put the money
| in the drawer. for the cash and the sales
have always balanced. He's an migrate
| full young rascal" continued Mr.. Drum
mond, harshly. after | took him into
my house and treated him as a som
this was not saying much. if Joshua be
believed-"he has robbed me in the most
cold-booded manner"
Nicho.s was astonished by the evidence
against our hero. He did not like to
think him guilty, but it certainly seemed
as if he must be.
What are you going to do about it,
Mr.. Drummond?" he asked.
81 suppose l ought to have him arrest
ed He deserves it."
81 hope you won't do that. He may be
able to explain it,
"If | do not proceed to extremities it
will be on account of his relationship,
which blush to acknowledge"
The time had been, and that not long
since, when Mr.. Drummond felt proud of
his relationship to the rich Squire Con-
rad. of Willoughby but that was before
his loss of property Circumstances al
ter cases. Quite unconscious of the storm
that was gathering, Walter at this mo-
ment entered the store.
$50 you've got back?" said Mr.. Drum
mend, harshly. You haven't been in
any particular hurry. However, that was
not what wished to speak to you about
We have made discovery since you went
out, and not very agreeable one."
81 am sorry for that" said Walter, not
knowing what else was expected of him.
mo doubt you are sorry" sneered Mr..
Drummond 81 should think he would be,
eh, Mr. Nichols?"
81 am sorry also," said Nichols who,
though rather weak minded, was good
hearted young man.
$50 am | sorry" said Mr.. Drummond
"It strikes me l have most reason to he
sorry, considering that the loss has fallen
on me. | have discovered how you have
repaid me for my kindness. You didn't
think | would find out but your iniquity
has provdentially come to light"
II don't know what you are talking
about, Mr.. Drummond," said Walter, i'm
patiently. Il wish you would stop Talk
ing in riddles"
"Did you ever witness such brazen ef-
frontery, Mr.. Nichols?" demanded Mr..
Drummond, turning to his head salesman !;
"even when be is found out he brazens it
out"
"Wouldn't it be as well to tell him
what is the matter, Mr.. Drummond?"
asked Nichols, who wac in hopes our
hero would be able to prove his innocence.
ITO come to the point, did you, or did
YOU not, fortnight since, sell one Of