The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-03

(ynom MEMOIR or THE raw. Dn. DUNCAN, THk
FOUNDER or SAVINGS BANks.)

cOuuoculldl uiccccbSCi W Scity PofSoiS VI
gold coin to branch banks in neighboring
towns, and he used TO relate several adven-
lures tn at befell him on such occasions, two
of which, as illustrating the manners Of the
time, may be interesting TO some readers
His duty one summer day led him to War
rington, a town about twenty miles from
Liverpool, to which he was charged to carry
several hundred poundsin gold. Railroads
were not as yet invented, and even stage
coach was comparative rarity. The mode
of travelling was thus left to his own choice;
and, as the morning rose fair, he hired a
riding horse for the occasion, packed his
money in rouleaux OF paper, containing
twenty guineas each, deposited these in sad
dle-bags, which, according to the fashion Of
the day, he slung over his horse, and set
out in the buoyant hope of pleasant and
prosperous journey. But alas only few
miles had been travelled, when the roar Of
thunder awakened the echoes; the gathering
clouds began to drop, and the rain soon fell
in torrents, wetting him to the skin, and
what was worse, soaking his saddle-bags,
and loosening the paper envelopes in which
his money was contained. The guiness
shook in their leathern Enclosures, which at
length yielded to the friction; and, before
the rider could arrest the mischief, shower
OF gold poured down the smoking sides Of
his horse, and mingled with the mud which
already thickly covered the road. He in
stantly dismounted. Fastening bis horse to
tree, he diligently set about recovering his
treasure. and, having succeeded tolerably
well. he had Just begun to make narrower
scrutiny, when he was accosted by an old
woman. whose appearance showed her to be
vagrant. She began, unasked, TO aid him
in the search, but her assistance was no:
coveted, and the bankers clerk gave her a
civil but very Ineligible intimation that
her services could be dispensed with. He
then rode forward few hundred yards to
turnpike gate, where he asked and obtained
from the gatekeeper the accommodation Of
a private room. Here he counted over his
gold. and found to his dismay that he still
wanted eleven pieces. In considerable sgi-
tation he returned TO the spot, but not 10
find matters as he had left them. Ten or
twelve men had already mustered upon the
road, and were prosecuting a search after
the lost treasure with the greatest eageness
The mud had been literally raked with
their fingers for some hundred yards.
and he could not doubt that they were al
ready in possession Of portion ofthe miss
ing gold. He asked if they had made any
discovery, but the only reply he received
was volley Of imPrecations. He had in
suited and maltreated. they affirmed, an old
helpless woman, who only sought to serve
him; and if he did not speedily leave the
place, they were ready to take signal ven
geance. Not knowing how to obtain re-
dress, be returned TO bis former shelter.-
While celebrating on his loss, six Of his
guineas were brought by the finders, and
offered 10 him for triAing reward, which
he gladly consented TO give, not questioning
too narrowly whether he had received a
faithful tale Of what they had gathered, and
rejoicing that his loss was no greater than
he could easily supply.
On another occasion he found himself
heavily laden with gold at Birkenhead.-
The sun was down, and the night tide only
quarter full. Tic usual ferTy-boats had
ceased to ply for the day, and it was neces-
sary to hire one for his own accommodation.
Carrying the saddle-bags, in which his money
had again been slowed, over his arm, he pro-
ceeded across the soft and slippery beach
to the point where he must embark, but
soon found 10 his annoyance that he was
not to be the only passenger. A rough
looking man, Of powerful proportions, join
ed him on the shore, who accosted him "a
miliarly, entered the boat with him uninvit-
ed, and took a seat. Had il not been for
the lateness Of the hour, and the value Of
his charge this might not have disturbed him;
but the man had sinister aspect, and the
state Of the tide made it necessary to land
two miles above the town, at a spot made
desolate by the vapors Of chemical work,
which had banished to distance the abodes
OF men. The boat drew to land. The
intruder leapt ashore; and Henry, shoulder
ing bis heavy baggage, paid his fare and also
landed. The two walked together towards
the town for a few hundred yards. when,
with great apparent Politeness, his compan-
ion remarked, that the load seemed heavy,
and he would be glad to relieve him Of il
for little. Now, thought he, my fears are
realised. He held for a moment his treas
ure the tighter, and declined the offer, re-
marking with constrained thanks, that he
felt the weight no incumbrance. Come,
come, was the rejoinder don't make a
mystery. man, Of very plain affair. |
know you very well. and know the GRAND
you are on: you are carrying gold to Hey
woods, from Chester. Give me the bags:
| am as honest as YOURSELF The thought
flashed through the young mans mind-it
was characteristic Of the calmness which
in agitating circumstances, he always exhib-
ited,-slf refuse he is much stronger than
/, and can rob me in an instant; but If |
give up my load quietly, | shall have the
advantage Of being in better condition to
pursue him and give an alarm; should find
that he intends to make off with it, Thus
inwardly satisfied, he accepted the offer ap-
parently as frankly as it seemed to be made. |
The dreaded bandit conveyed the ponderous
load in safety TO the turn where their roads |
parted, and then handed it over to him, and |
wished him good night.
In telling these anecdotes. he used to re-
mark, that he never was called to such do |
ties without an adventure more or less inter
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