Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-04-14
An Expert
Accountant.


Ing the books would be very moderate
seemed to give him an idea. He
thought over it for a week and then
wrote her he would call. An hour
after he had written he invaded the
den of the old bookkeeper, and after
fussing around for five minutes he
got up the courage to remark:
stephen, do you know that this
firm has been Systematically robbed
for the last ten years."
"Impossible"' gasped the old man
as he looked up.
sir, and the loss will foot up thou
sands of dollars"
rs 1t the shipping clerks-the sales
men? l don't see how they could have
robbed u.s.
1T Is nearer than that" said the
senior partner as he looked the per-
turbed and trembling slave in the eye
My Gcd, but you can't suspect me!
You can't believe that ever touched
q penny Of your money!
who else Is there to suspect? You
have had sole charge Of the books"
This Is horrible"
II am sorry for you. I must leave
you, for other matters are awaiting at
tention."
Half an hour later the old book
keeper left his employer and went out
without ray Of hope In his heart.
Misc Wf1lnu0bhu coo rcaIx banad PNr
a call from Mr.. Jansen that evening,
but he presented himself nevertheless.
1t had been discovered he explained
without emotion, that the bOokkeeper
had been robbing the firm. His pecu-
lations would probably amount to
thousands of dollars. He had run
away and might escape arrest, but she
was to go ahead on the books Just the
same. Her salary would be $40
week, and Of course her relations with
the firm would be confidential. She
could depend upon them to recon-
mend her to others in case her work
was we'll done. The girl wondered
that the partner was so quiet over the
reputed loss; but. thinking 1t was his
way. she promised to appear at the
store In the morning and begin on the
books. When morning came and
when she was within a block of the
store she encountered an old gray hair
ed man with such look Of trouble on
his face as caught her attention at
once. He blocked her way and halted
her and tried to say something. but
choked up, raised his hands in despair
and stepped aside.
"Why, that is the old bookkeeper
saw at the store the other day through
the PARTITION she exclaimed as she
turned to look after him. can it be
his books l am to overhaul? l can't
believe that he has been rObbing the
nrm."
Stephen Cato, the old bookkeeper.
had been neat and accurate and pains
taking. When the first day had come
to close the girl expert failed to find
the slightest cause for suspicion. She
so reported, and, with frown. the sem
Tor partner replied
"But you must remember that Ste
phen was sly and crafty" he replied.
Don't be deceived. You claim to be-
an expert, and you must sooner or
later come upon the evidences of his
guilt"
Nothing was discovered on the Sec
ond day-the third-nothing during the
whole week. Miss Willoughby's repu-
tation as an expert was at stake, but
not the slightest flaw could she find.
II there had been robberies no attempt
had been made to cover them up by
false entries
"But you will make discoveries next
week." said Mr.. Jansen as she reported
and he handed her her salary. Per
haps you have not taken his craftiness
into account. We have lost at least
$4,000 by him. and as an expert ac-
countant we shall expect you to un-
cover his system. Another week must
surely bring you the clew."
When another week had passed moth
Ing whatever had been found to con.
Wet Stephen Cato. He had been hon.
est to a penny. The girl was glad to
so report. His troubled face had
haunted her ever since the first morn
Ing, and the senior partners fnsistence
had bred suspicion In her mind.
Miss Willoughby," replied Mr.. jan
sen when she had reported, 1--WE en-
ployed you as an expert accountant.
Our loss is $4,000. Our late bookkeep-
err Is fugitive from justice. You have
done your work well. Here is $500
over and above your salary, and we
shall be glad-to recommend you to any
other house. In such affairs as this
one Of course is expected to keep ST.
lence."
The girl looked at him for mo-
ment with Il puzzled expression on her
face. Then It began to be plain that
there was something wrong. The firm
wanted to make out loss when there
was no loss. 1t had reasons for calling
an honest man thief. She slowly
picked up the amount due her as sal
airy for the week, and, stepping back,
she looked the man square in the eyes
and said:
"Mr. Jansen, you are scoundrel!'
"And you are little FOOL" he an