"His name is never heard."

Late one evening, a packet of letters, just arrived by the English mail,
was handed to Mynheer Von Kapell, a merchant of Hamburgh. His head clerk
awaited, as usual, for any orders which might arise from their contents;
and was not a little surprised to observe the brow of his wealthy
employer suddenly clouded; again and again he perused the letter he
held, at last audibly giving vent to his feelings--

"Donder and blitzen!" he burst forth, "but this _is_ a shock, who would
have thought it? The house of Bennett and Ford to be shaken thus! What
is to be done?"

"Bennett and Ford failed!"' cried the astonished clerk.

"Failed! ten thousand devils! not so bad as that; but they are in deep
distress, and have suffered a heavy loss; but read, good Yansen! and let
me have your advice."

The clerk read as follows:--

"_London, August 21st._

"Most respected friend,

"Yours of the 5th inst. came safe to hand, and will meet prompt
attention. We have to inform you, with deep regret, that the son of the
trustworthy cashier of this long-established house has absconded, taking
with him bills accepted by our firm, to a large amount, as per margin;