Trial and Triumph CHAPTER 10.
Back to Trial and Triumph
Some ten days had passed since the exciting scene with Mary Lynn in the house of Mr. Barker, and Philip Emerson was beginning to breathe a little more freely, when he was startled from his dream of safety by the following note!
"Sir — Enclosed you have one hundred dollars, the sum transmitted by you to my mother. I am enabled to return it through means of an advance on my salary as governess in the family of Mr. Barker. I trust that you will not attempt to repeat an act which, for one in your position, has no justification. Mary Lynn."
This was the young man's first intimation that Mary had returned to Mr. Barker's family. Nothing could have more astonished and alarmed him. That evening he had intended to pass with Caroline; but he was too much disturbed to venture into her presence. The hours were spent alone. How many disturbing thoughts intruded themselves! How his heart trembled and sunk, as he saw, in clear light, the difficulties that were before him. In attempting to get Mary Lynn out of his way, by improper means, he had made the danger of her presence in the family a hundred fold greater. That she believed him to be the author of the letter to Mrs. Barker, he did not doubt; and, with his knowledge of her character, he felt that there was everything to fear.
Various suggestions were made to the mind of Emerson, as he pondered over the unpleasant relation in which he found himself placed to Mary. One of them was to ask an interview, and attempt to convince her that he was not the author of the letter which she had, by implication, accused him of writing. Another was, to obtain an interview, and procure her silence by threats of consequences. But, after due reflection on each of these points, he dismissed them from his mind. He had positively asserted that he had no knowledge of Mary whatever, and he saw that to attempt an interview, or to communicate with her in any way, might come under the knowledge of Mr. Barker, or some member of his family, who would immediately ask explanations of Mary; and then enough would transpire to render his position extremely questionable in their eyes.
A still more disturbing thought came into the young man's mind as he dwelt on the subject. Would Mrs. Barker have taken Mary into her family, after the warning she had received, and after acting upon that warning — unless entirely satisfied of the falsity of the allegations made against her?
It was plain that she would not. How, then, had Mary been able to satisfy her mind, except by proving the authorship of the letter, and showing a sufficient reason why it should have been written. This view of the case came fraught with no little alarm, and greatly increased anxiety.
The longer the mind of Emerson dwelt upon it, the more likely did it seem to be true. A state of feverish anxiety was the consequence. On the day after receiving Mary's note, he found himself, as to money matters, in a very narrow place. A succession of heavy payments had not only exhausted his own means, but the means of his immediate business friends also, and, as the bank from which he had been in the habit of receiving accommodations had a second and a third time thrown out his offerings — he found himself in an extremity that was really alarming. After various sacrifices and extra exertions, however, he succeeded in getting his paper out of bank, and then called upon the friend, heretofore mentioned, whose name was Concord, for the purpose of consultation and advice as to his best course of action.
"You must have money," said Concord. "Money at all risks. If you break down before your marriage with Miss Barker, it is all over with you; but only keep going until you are Barker's son-in-law, and you are safe. The marriage will strengthen your credit immediately; and, if the worst looks like coming to the worst, you can, in an extremity, put your hand into the old gentleman's pocket a little earlier than a feeling of delicacy would prompt to such an act."
"But how am I to get money? Just answer me that question," said Emerson, in a restless, eager manner.
"There is a way, that might be used as a temporary expedient," remarked Concord, with some hesitation in his voice.
"Name it," was Emerson's prompt response.
"It is hardly legitimate. Still it is better than doing worse."
"Speak out plainly. I must have money; though I am not quite prepared to knock a man down on the highway, or to rob the mail."
"The means to which I refer, might be used as an expedient," said Concord, speaking low, and in an insinuating voice. "It would hardly do to pursue it to a very great extent, as it is a little risky."
"Come to the point, if you please. Don't be afraid," was replied to this firmly. "I am ready to hear almost any proposition."
"You know young Baldwin?"
"Book-keeper in the Trader's Bank?"
"The same."
"Yes. I know him."
"He rides a fast horse."
"I am aware of it."
"And owns him into the bargain."
"Well?"
"Always has a pocket full of money, and always is ready to spend it freely."
"I know."
"He spends more than his salary."
"So I would think."
"Where do you suppose it comes from?" asked Concord.
"I don't know. From the bank, in all probability."
"No doubt of it. Indeed, I know this to be the fact."
"Ah?"
"Yes. And his mode of removing the deposits is peculiar to himself, and quite ingenious. But he must have someone on the outside to act in concert with him."
Emerson made no remark to this, but bent closer to his friend, who lowered his voice and continued —
"The mode of operation is this: As he keeps the deposit ledger, the checks paid out by the teller are passed over to him to post and cancel. It is, as you will see, the easiest thing in the world for him to put a check into his pocket before cancelling it, and hand it to some friend to draw the money upon it a second time. The person who draws the money is, of course, free from all suspicion, and Baldwin protects himself by a system of double charges and credits, which may not be found out for years. The settling up of the customers' bank books being a part of his work, no one sees the discrepancy between some of the entries therein and his ledger accounts. The balances being the same, no suspicion is awakened. Among some hundred bank accounts, this system may be pursued to a considerable extent and with comparative safety."
To all this Emerson listened with great eagerness, and then opposed various objections as to the alleged safety of the operation. These were all explained away.
"How did you become so intimately acquainted with this matter?" he then asked.
"I have known Baldwin for many years. As you are aware, I am a little mirthful myself; like a fast horse, and see a good deal of pleasure. This has thrown the young man and myself a good deal into each other's company, and, as he was a fine, generous fellow, I liked the association. On a certain occasion, I found myself pretty hard pressed for money, and being with him about the time, I said, half jestingly —
'I wish I knew how to get my hands on some of the cash locked up in the vaults of your bank!'
'Do you?' replied he, smiling.
'Indeed I do,' was my response.
'Are you pressed for money, then?' he asked, momentarily.
'I am,' I did not hesitate to answer, for I was somewhat encouraged by the way he spoke.
'How much do you need?' he then inquired.
'I need a thousand dollars tomorrow,' was my reply.
Without hesitation, he drew forth his pocket-book, and taking therefrom three checks each for the sum of five hundred dollars, handed them to me, saying as he did so —
'Draw these when the bank opens in the morning. A thousand you may use. The balance you can give me after bank hours, when I will see you.'
I looked at the checks, and found that they were drawn by three of our best merchants on the Trader's Bank. A suspicion that all was not right flashed through my mind, and he saw it. My first impression was that they were forgeries.
'What is the meaning of this?' I asked. 'Are these checks good?'
'As good as gold,' he promptly answered.
'But how did they come in your possession?'
'Draw the money,' said he, smiling, 'and use as much as you want of it. When I call to see you tomorrow, I will explain all to your satisfaction. You needn't be afraid. They are genuine checks, and will be paid on presentation.'
Thus assured over and over again, I received the checks, and on the day following they were cashed.
'There's some roguery about this, Baldwin,' said I, when he called after bank hours, 'and you must explain it.' He made the explanation of which you are already in possession. Now, if you desire to be put en rapport with this young gentleman, just say the word, and it shall be done. You'll find him with a smooth operation."
"I'm afraid," said Emerson, after reflecting on the subject. "The whole thing involves a crime, and, if it came to light, might send me to prison."
"So would some of your custom house operations!" remarked Concord.
Emerson shrugged his shoulders.
"In them, perjury is involved. Here the transaction is far more simple."
"I don't mind cheating the Government, if I can," said Emerson.
"That is fair game. But using another man's check is an individual affair, and comes too near home."
"The operation doesn't touch anyone's private account," said Concord. "The bank bears all the loss; and I'm sure that I would have no more compunctions about cheating a bank,than I would about cheating Uncle Sam. As for the Trader's Bank, that is rich enough, and would never feel the loss of a few thousand."
"I'm afraid it isn't safe," remarked Emerson.
"Nothing could be safer," replied the tempter. "All you have to do is to present a good check and draw the money. Baldwin will manage all the rest. Even if he should be suspected and found out, you will not be involved in the matter. It will be to his interest to conceal your agency."
"Why so?"
"Because the bulk of the money drawn out, will be in your possession. If you are implicated, you will have to refund. If not, he will have something to fall back upon, after losing his situation in the bank. Don't you see?"
"Yes. He will have an interest in concealing the name of the party concerned with him in the transaction. But why don't you continue to act with him?"
"Because, having been helped through a tight place, I can get on without further resort to a means of raising money that is only to be used in desperate cases. Yours is a desperate case, and, therefore, I suggest the thing to you. My word for it, you will go safely over your difficulties by this means."
"I'll turn it over in my mind," said Emerson. "I don't like the look of it at all. Still, anything is better than breaking down just now."
"Of course it is. See Baldwin, and ask him to lend you a few thousand dollars. The amount will be sure to come. Better give him notice a day or two before you need the money. You needn't know, unless you choose to ask him, how the checks you receive come into his hands."
"True. That didn't occur to me." The countenance of Emerson brightened. "It's none of my business how he gets the money. I only borrow it from him. If he steals it, that is his own look-out."
"Certainly it is."
"Thank you for suggesting this means of raising money," said Emerson. "If I can do no better — and I see no way now — I must adopt it."
The friends parted, and Emerson pondered the subject of their conversation over and over in his mind for a long time, and he finally decided to have an interview with young Baldwin. His thoughts then turned towards Caroline Barker, and the dangers that beset his way in that quarter.
"I must see her tonight," was the conclusion of his mind. "Suspense like this cannot be borne."
So he called that evening at the house of Mr. Barker. On first meeting with Caroline, there was a reserve in her manner that oppressed the feelings of Emerson. This gradually wore off, however, and she seemed to him as of old. But he saw no other member of the family. On going away, he did not feel much more at ease than before.
On the next day he was thrown, for a short time, in company with two or three gentlemen, among whom was Mr. Barker. The conversation turned upon certain unfair transactions which had just come to light.
"For my part," said Mr. Barker, remarking on the subject, and speaking with considerable warmth, "I would rather suffer the rack — than be guilty of such roguery. I call things by their right names. Any man who will cheat the Government — will rob if he gets the opportunity. He would knock a man down on the highway for his pocket-book, if he had the nerve to do so."
"Just my way of thinking!" was the prompt remark of Emerson.
Mr. Barker glanced at the young man approvingly, and the latter, encouraged thereat, said —
"How a man can obtain his own consent to engage in fraudulent dealing, is more than I can comprehend. The gain, surely, cannot compensate for lack of self-respect, and the danger of exposure and prosecution."
"Fair dealing is the only wise dealing," added Mr. Barker. "It brings all out right in the end; while few who begin by over-reaching their neighbors, ever attain ultimate success in business. The devil is a false-hearted wretch, and usually betrays those who trust in him."
In less than an hour after this, Emerson despatched a note to Baldwin, asking him to call at his store after the bank closed. The young man came as desired.
"I had some conversation with Mr. Concord today," Emerson thus introduced the subject he wished to talk about, "and I learned from him, that you sometimes had money tolend." Baldwin, from the mention of Concord's name, understood him fully. His reply was — "How much do you want?"
"A few thousand dollars."
"Now?" inquired the young man.
"Not all of it at once. I need some ten or fifteen thousand dollars during the coming three months."
Baldwin shook his head, saying, as he did so,
"That is entirely beyond my ability. I could raise you a thousand dollars, in a week or ten days, perhaps, if that would be of any use."
"Not much," replied Emerson, in a tone of disappointment.
Both parties now became a good deal embarrassed. The manner of Emerson changed, and Baldwin, not comprehending exactly the nature of the change, felt somewhat alarmed.
"I will see you again tomorrow," said he, and he retired in some trepidation, going immediately to the store of Concord.
"Did you tell Mr. Emerson that I had money to lend?" he asked.
"I did," was replied.
"What kind of a man is he?" inquired Baldwin.
"One after your own heart," was promptly answered.
The countenance of Baldwin grew brighter.
"Are you certain?"
"Oh yes. He cheats the Custom-House every month," said Concord.
A slight flush of shame mantled the young man's cheek at this not very flattering compliment to himself. But he recovered quickly, remarking at the same time,
"Is all right then?"
"Entirely so. If you can get him any money, please accommodate him. He's a clever fellow, but extremely hard run just now. He was in the copper speculation."
"Was he? No wonder he is in a tight place now."
"None in the least."
"He needs some ten or fifteen thousand dollars," said Baldwin.
"You can get it for him."
"I suppose I can. But that will be operating rather heavily."
"True. But it will be something handsome to fall back upon one of these days."
"Can I trust him?" asked Baldwin.
"Implicitly. He is the very soul of honor."
This endorsement of Emerson's character was sufficient for Baldwin. On the next day he brought him checks for the sum of sixteen hundred dollars. They were drawn by various merchants on the Traders' Bank; and one of them was a check of Mr. Barker's. The sight of this last check did not produce very pleasant sensations in the mind of Emerson.
"Don't send all these checks in at once," said Baldwin.
"Oh, no, I understand," replied Emerson.
"Twelve hundred dollars of the amount is at your service."
"Thank you! That sum will enable me to go through tomorrow quite comfortably. How will you be on next Monday? That will be a heavy day with me."
"I reckon I can help you some. How much will you need?"
"At least two thousand dollars."
"So much?"
"Yes; unless I find collections far better than they have been."
"I'll see what I can do, at any rate," replied Baldwin. "But don't depend on me for so large a sum."
"I guess you can raise it," said Emerson, in a coaxing tone, and with a smile meant to flatter the young man.
"We'll see," was returned, in a voice that assured Emerson that the money he wanted would be forthcoming.
Back to Trial and Triumph