The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-10
BY c. r. SPENCER.


,olsndid references. Mr. Sykes person
ally engaged or discharged all tht
hsap. He did it because he alone un
decstood human nature, or fiatteree
himself that he did. When ne nae
read tho references, he said:
Young mau, there was no need II
bring this trash here"
But l supposed that"
mo matter what you supposed! You
didn't steal anything from these peo
pie, and so they certify that you are
strictly honest. What fools!"
Il don't understand, sir!"
you might net have had the chance
! to steal"
Good nsraing, s&r!" said the young
man rs he arose to 60.
sit down, young mani" shouted Mfr.
Sykes. II an soiaS to give yeu tAs
plaes-nox bscaxss Of these refer.
enees, not bscauss I think yeu are
honest, but because I shall watch you
like a hawk"
Very well; I viii takesthe place"
It was a month to a day>when cxs-
toner came into the store to pay .
debt of $25s. He brought currency
instead Of check. II being the noon
hour, the cashier was out for lunch,
and the only one in the Office was Mr..
Sykes.
The next afternoon as he returned
from lunch Mr.. Sykes smilingly said to
him: and now for little jaunt to
Sing Sing"
you have caught me, have you?"
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 to
me-"
But he did to me, and l left the
money with a 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 her
references when Mr.. Sykes exclaimed:
Don't want to see them!"
But they are references she pro-
tested.
Amt worth a cent a pound Just
discharged young fellow with gilt
edged references who stole $3.50 be-
fore my face and eyes and then threat
sned 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 ard heard that women are
more honest that men. expect you'll
last about four weeks and then 90 the
way of the others. Dont forget that,
you'll be under my watchful eye
Miss Somcrs 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
he had grave doubts about the young
mans guilt.
The discharged cashier had made no
effort to get another place, but had
spent much time in thinking. Mr..
Sykes was certainly a mean man,
but that ne was deliberate liar was
much to be doubted.
All of sudden one night as he lay
turning the problem over in his mind
for 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 a catch
all drawer in his desk, and the re-
mark was made that the drawer hadn't
been opened before for a 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 a
search!
The girl would be only too glad to
do 50 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.all"
drawer, and there lay the money and
the slip.
At 1885 Mr.. Sykes returned.
What is this?"
The money that Mr.. Brisbane didn't
embezzle!"
"Ha. fool"
i found it in the drawer!"
"Ha! fool"
Who, sir?"
l am. | want to see Mr.. Brisbane,"
Ihere were just few words:
i acted like a fool. sir. and am cor.