Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-06-11
THE sEvEN-sHlLlING PIECE.
IN ANECDOTE


1t during the panic Of Is g that gentleman whom
We shall call Mr. Thompson seated with something
of melancholy lok n his. drrary backrOom watching
his clerks paying away thousand of pounds hourly
Ihlmp~on was banker Of exc. lent credit; here exist
ell perhaps in The city Of London safer than
that IF Alessrs Thompson Go but 4 moment, such
a<l speak Of. rational ref ction admitted, for
stability looked To "a general dstrust felt
and every one rushed ID his binkesS to withdraw his
hoard, fearful that the instant would be too late for
ge.. entirely that this sep that Of all others the
most likely 10 insure The RUIN he sought avoid
Bu' to return The wealthy citizen sat gOOmlly
watching the outp1uung Of his gold, and, with grim
smile, listening The clamaOus demands on his cashier
for although he felt perfectly easy ana 10 TIE
ultimate strength Of his he could not epress
feeling Of bitterness lie constituent after consr-
rush in. and those, whom he fondy imagined be
his dearest friends eagerly assisting in the upon his
strong box.
Presently the door opened and stranger was usher-
ed IN, who, after gaz No for moment the bewdered
banker oily rev chair. and abruptly addressed him:
nu VIII pardon me, sir. for asking strange question
but am plain man, aud like to straight 10 The
paint
ell sir p mpaiien,ly interrupted the other
81 have h ard that you have you bank, sir ??
"We 20
rs it true 2"
Really, sir, must decline replying to your very ex-
tFaordInary query If. however you have any money
the bank yoi had better at once draw it out and 81
and the banker r'se, hint Tor the stranger to with
draw.
Far from it, sir : have not one sxpence in your
hanls"
Then may ask what is you business here -
Il wish to know ifa small would aid you al this
moment %
Why do you ask the question %
Because II 1t would should gladly pay in small de
pa>it."
The money dealer stared.
on riSed. 1ontt ku,,r or
my motive. III at explain. DO you recoect soms
20years ago when you resided IN Essex 2"
rPerfecly"
''N ell. then sir, perhaps you have not forgotten the
turnpike gate through which YOU passed daily My IA
ther kept that gate, aud often honOred by few
minutes chat with YOU One Christmas morning my
father sick, I'd attended the toll bar On that day
You passed through and opened the gate for you. Do
yuu recoIlec il sir ~
"Npti, my fiend.'
No, >ir; few such remember their kind deeds but
those VIII" are benefited by them seldom forget them
am perhaps r.lx: listen, however, only few mo
ments, and have done "
The banker began to feel interested and at once as
sented
well sir, as said before. | threw open the gate for
you, and as considered myself in duty bound, wished
you happy Christmas. Thank you my lad - replied
you-'tlank you and the Won here is trifl.
10 make 1t 50 > and you threw seven shilling piece
IL was the rst money ever possessed and never shall
forget my " IN receiving and as grew up added
Ht'le to 1t, I'll was able t. rent toll myself You left
mat part OF the country, and los; sight of YOU Yearly
however. have been getting on; your present brought
good fortune with it. | comparatively rich
and 10 you consider owe all. So this morning. hear
lug accidentally that there was run on your bank |
collected all my Land have brought ii to lodge with
YOU IN case II can De Of any use here it 2; and he
handed bundle Of bank-noles . the agitated Thopp-
s1n "in few daysI I'll call again and shatching up
his hat tile stranger throwing down his card walked
out Of MS room.
Thompson undid the roll it contained $4,000
The stern hearted banker-f all bankers must be stern
burst into tears. The firm did not require that prop
but the motiVe noble, that even millionaire SOB
6ad-he could not helPit. The firm is still one Of the
frs in London.
The $4,000 ofthe umpike-boy is now grown in
to some 1UU,OOQ Fortune has well disposed of he
gifts.