The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1914-03-20
WITHOUT A REFERENCE
BY c. r. SPENCER,

Had anyone had the hardihood to
inform Mr.. James s. Sykes, the senior
partner of Sykes & Davis, that he was
not the only honest man In the United
States, his establishment would have
been intense.
II any employee had limited In the re-
hottest degree that Mr.. Sykes was be-
coming very forgetful and absent-mind-
ed, that daring employee would have
been out OF a job within five minutes
Walter Brisbane had come to Sykes
& Co. as boOkkeeper and cashier with
splendid references. Mr.. Sykes person
ally engaged or discharged all the
help. He did 1t because he alone un-
derstood human nature. or fattered
himself that he did. When he had
read the references, he said:
Young man. there was no need to
bring this trash here!"
But l supposed that"
No matter what you supposed! You
didn't steal anything from these peo-
pie, and 30 they certify that you are
strictly honest. What fools!"
Il don't understand sir!"
You might not have had the chance
to steal!"
Good morning, sir!" said the young
man as he arose to go.
Sit down, young mani" shouted Mr..
Sykes. Il am going to give you the
place-not because Of these refer
ences. not because / think you are
honest. but because l shall watch you
like a hawk"
Very well; will take the place"
1t was month to day when a GUS
toner came into the store to pay a
debt of $3.50. He brought currency
instead of a check. 1t being the noon
hour, the cashier was out for lunch
and the only one in the office was MI
Sykes.
The next afternoon as he returned
from lunch Mr.. Sykes smilingly said to
him: And now for little jaunt to
Sing 6ing!"
You have caught me, have your"
did you deposit that $3.50 yester
day? Did you enter it on the cash
book?"
What particular $3.50 do you
mean?" was asked in all seriousness.
The payment made by Adams, sir"
But he didn't make a payment tc
me-
But he did to me. and I left the
money with slip on your desk"
But found nothing of the sort, and
you said nothing to me about it."
The indignant young man demanded
arrest and trial, but this was refused
and when he threatened Mr.. Sykes
with suit for defamation OF charac
ter he was laughed at
In answer to an advertisement next
day Miss Hattie Somers called. She
was fumbling in her reticule for heI
references when Mr.. Sykes exclaimed.
Don't want to see thenn!"
But they are references" she pro
tested.
Amt worth a cent a pound! Just
discharged a young fellow with gilt
edged references who stole $3.50 be
fore my face and eyes and then threat
ened me with a suit for damages!"
He must have been bad man"
Every one that handles your money
is a thief"
IF you think that, Mr.. Sykes"
Il do, but you can take the place.
have read and heard that women are
more honest that men. l expect you'll
last about four weeks and then go the
way of the others. Don't forget thai
you'll be under my watchful eye"
Miss Somers had held the place for
two weeks when she had an evening
caller at her boarding place. The
card read: Mr. Walter Brisbane" She
had heard the name at the Office. Even
the junior partner had told her that
be had grave doubts about the young
mans guilt.
The discharged cashier had made nc
effort to get another place, but had
spent much time in thinking. Mr.
Sykes was certainly a mean man
much to be doubted.
All of sudden one night as he lay
turning the problem over in his mind
tor the hundredth time, a bright
thought came to him, and it was that
thought that had esnt him to Miss
Somers. One day after Mr.. Sykes had
spent half an hour in looking for a
certain paper it was found in catch.
all drawer In his desk, and the re-
mark was made that the drawer hadn't
been opened before for month. Had
the man in moment of absent-mind-
edness placed money and slip in that
receptacle? Would Miss Hattie take
advantage of an occasion and make
search?
The girl would be only too glad TO
do so and help him solve the mystery
and clear his name.
What happened next morning in the
office of Sykes & Davis interested sew.
eral people.
At ten o'clock Mr.. Sykes rose up and
remarked that he might be out for
half an hour.
Miss Hattie was at the "catch-alP'
drawer, and there lay the money and
he elf