The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-12-22
~

cratic neighborhood. This they
furnished to their taste and require
ments; and, with delight, new hope
and courage they began their life
in the city.
After long and trying search
Robert secured a position as teller
in one of the metropolitan banks.
Two years later we find Robert one
of the assistant cashiers of the bank,
rising young man, in whom the
directors had implicit confidence.
And what of the home life! Their
social environment has brought adj
ditional cares, duties and expenses,
too. In spite of the splendid salary
he was receiving, he could not make
expenses. The clubs, receptions,
parties and teas could not be neg
lected and hold their place in So
ciety. Robert was heartily sick Of
the whole thing, but Beatrice en-
joyed these things, was very popu-
lar with the clubs and their sets,
found little time to look after home
affairs even had she had the ability.
Things we're left to the servants
and pretty mess they made of it.
Each month showed debit balance
. to Robert and yet he did not have
the courage to call halt. Some
how, too, this life was not as hap
7 DIV for either one as it had been in
dear old Langley. Gradually Rob
5 ertfelt they were drifting apart.
l Their credit had always been good,
s but there finally came time when
e the creditors seemed to want their
: money and insisted on payment.
9 A loan on their furniture and a
e small overdraft of Roberts salary
e at the bank brought temporary re-
s lief. No retrenchment in the ex-
f pense account, and in short time
e they were again facing their cred
IS itors, or rather Robert was, BEAT
/ rice was kept in ignorance), this
IS time he had nothing to raise money
IS on. Father Owens was appealed
to for loan and gladly sent it, but
} the old gentlemen was worried
r, about Roberts going behind and
Is gave him some good advice, but in
le stead of doing the good he hoped
e for, he only hurt Roberts feelings.
v and wounded his pride and made
it him resolve not to call on his father
Y again.
le Roberts situation grew more des
I'd perate later when the mortgage or
ID their furniture became due and al
Iy other resources having been ex
id hausted-except father Langley
k. which was, of course, out of thu
Id questionable one great temptation
I'd of his life came to Robert. HI
lie could borrow some money from thu
We bank funds under his charge, max
e, an investment in something tina
m would bring quick returns-ik
e. wheat options and when he ha'
10 made a little stake, return tn
ed money and everything would be al
be right. He knew of men making
er good in the wheat pit. He knew
o. too, how shortage could be Cal
ce ried on the books for days, week
hit or even months, without discovery
1T. unless some experts were called in
ne He had heard the old saying s
lly often, nothing risked, nothin
zee gained" He would take the risk
ad for his needs were desperate an
I'D required desperate measures. Ha
lid anyone told him he was planning
We theft, he would have been enragec
es. He knew of even the highest off
ID, GERS of bank borrowing flom il
Ter funds to promote some enterpris
lid in which they were interested, an
he why not he? Was not he one {
Ter the officers of the bank? An
Ter though he did not own any of tt
stock, wasn't he responsible, bein
sh- heavily bondedg He would onl
cir use a small sum, which he coul
the replace with his salary if he los
to but he would not lose. Up to tn
uld time he had lived a good, cles
wo life, rendering unto Caesar Il
for things that were Caesars" /
the had never drank or gambled in al
per way. He weighed all the pros al
Ind cons for several days and it seem,
to- the only way out of his trouble.