Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-02-21
Wheels Within
Wheels
00 aA -,


By FREDERICK L. KEATEs

The watches began to disappear
from Wallenstein's about week after
John Beckwith's commencement there
ss salesman. The manner of their
disappearance was, for time, as puz-
cling mystery as the name of the
song Of the sirens.
Jacob Wallenstein. the proprietor.
who took great pride in his brilliant
Chestnut street jewelry store, said lit
tie on the occasion of the first loss.
though he no doubt did good deal of
thinking and kept a wary eye on his
assistants; but when gold watch num-
Der two, value sixty dollars, was
missed, things began to liven up con-
siderably.
The disagreeable affair placed Beck
with in an uncomfortable position. Be
Ing a new, untried salesman, he
guessed that a big share of the general
suspicion would rest on him. Uncom-
monty sensitive as to his honor, he
chafed sorely under the incubus of
doubt which intangibly threatened it,
and he determined to do his utmost to
find the culprit.
He felt 1t impossible to continue TO
work for very long under cloud of
distrust; for, as he was very fond of
remarking, one could never tell what
dirty trick chance might play fellow.
There were two other clerks in the
store; decent fellows, respectively
Brown and Nevin by name. There was
young man of twenty, Ted Calvin,
who wrapped packages, made deliver
les, and busted; and Despard, q silent,
grumpy man, who repaired watches
and jewelry.
After carefully considering the stu
alton, Beckwith decided to keep a close
watch on Despard. Your taciturn man
is usually mark for the arrows of sus-
picion. Some of Despard's actions, he
thought, were "off color" but nothing
definite came of the doubt. for either
the man was innocent or he was much
too cunning to be caught mapping.
Despite the general watchfulness, 1t
was not long before another valuable
watch was stolen. 1t was missed on a
Saturday evening. All that day, owing
to special reduction sale, the store
had been crowded with people, but
Beckwith, Brown and Nevin swore
that they had taken the greatest care
to show only one watch at a time, and
to see that 1t was handed back before
they submitted another.
No sooner had the discovery of the
missing watch beer made than Nevin
startled every one by pronouncing his
stock of diamond rings incomplete.
Two had been stolen. ~
"Twenty-fve-dollar ones, they WERE"
he said, gazing helplessly around.
Mr.. Wallenstein looked black. II
don't understand it, he said, frowning
Il have noticed that this sort of thing
happens during my absence from the
store. don't know what to make Of
It,"
He passed his fingers through his
thick, black hair, and stared hard at
his employees.
Gentlemen" he said, after long
pause. III you are certain no stranger
has robbed you during the rush today,
the culprit must be In the store, and II
you have the welfare Of the business
at heart, as / believe you have, you
will each personally permit yourself
to be searched. Does anyone object?
1t Is very unpleasant, of course, but 1
must ask the innocent to submit grace
fully in order that the guilty may be
arrested. trust no one objectsY
His sharp eyes rapidly scanned their
faces for any tell-tale expression of
fear. There was no sign of concern
apparent on the features Of any Of his
employees. Only on the face of Des-
pard was there a look that was
strange, and he was scowling menac-
ingly. s
Il object to being searched" he said
shortly and sharply.
All eyes were turned on him, and
Mr.. Wallenstein's face hardened as he
stared at him. Despard redeemed, then
paled.
"very WELL" said the jeweler stiffiy,
with a hint Of threatening in his voice.
IL trust you know what is best for
yourself. You must see that such an
attitude cannot be Of benefit to you.
However. this time l will ask merely
that you all show the watches you car
~. Do you refuse to comply there,
Despard?"
Despard's sole answer was the pull
ing forth Of a commonplace. three-dol-
lar gun-metal watch.
Mr.. Wallenstein nodded. VERY
good" he said, curtiy. and turned to
the others.
Nevin's watch was a common gold
plated one; Browns wassa ten-dollar |
thin model. pretty well worn Galvin's
was huge silver monstrosity, hun
dred years old ESQ he said). and once
the property Of his great-grandfather;
Beckwith's was the humblest of them |
ALA nickel timeriece that had been