The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-06-28
THE SEVEN SHILLING rIEcE.

gentleman whom we shall call Thompson,
was seated with something Of n ncancho-
" look in his drcary back room, watching
his clerks pay AWAY thousands Of pounds
hourly. lie was banker of excellent crc-
dit there existed no safer concern in the
city of London, than TINT Of Mcssrs I'homp-
son e. Co., but at moment such rs
speak OF, no rational reflection was admit
ed, no formal stability was looked 10; n
general distrust was felt, aud every one
rushed 10 his bankers 20 Withdraw his
honrd, fearful that the next instant would
DO too late, forgetting entirely ,ha, this step
was that which, Of all others, the most like
ly TO insure tho ruin he soueh, to nsoid.
But to return. The wealthy citizen sat
glcomiiy watching the ouipourng of his
gold aud with grim smile listening 10 the
clamorous demands on bis cashier; for nl-
though he felt perfectly easy and secure ms
TO the ultimate strength Of his resources.
yet he could not repress n feeling Of bitter.
ness as he saw constituent after consii'n-
ent rush in, and those whom no fond!y
imagined 10 be his dearest friends eagerly
assisting in the run Of his strong
box.
Presently the door opened. md n stran-
ger was ushercd in, who, after gazing for
a moment nj tho bc~iijercd banker. coolly
drew chair and abruptly addressed him,
"Yoa will pardon me, sir, for asking n
strange question; but am plain man.
and like 10 come To tho point"
"Well, sir!" impariently interrupted the
other. II have heard that you have bad a
run on your bank, sir.n
"WcI?'
ISIS it truc?"
"Roaly, sir, must decline replying 10
your very extraordinary query. II, how
ever, ,ou have any money in the bank.
you had better nj once draw il out aud So
satisfy yourself; orr cashier will instantly
pay yon;" and The banker rose, as a biu,
for tho stranger 10 withdraw.
"Far from IL, sir; have not one sixpencc
10 yonr bank"
"rhen may ask what is your business
hcref"
IL wished 20 know If small sum would
aid you at this mo,ncnt?"
"Whv do YOU ask tho question:
"Bccanse ii il would ! should gladly pay
in small deposit.
The money dealer stared.
"You seem surprised; you don't know
nv person or my motive. I'll at once cy-
plain. DO you rccolect scma twenty years
ago when you resided in E.scx?"
"Pcrlcc,ly."
"Wcll, then, sir, perhaps YOU have no,
forgotten the turnpike gate through which
you passed daily: Ny father kept that . ate.
and was often honorcd BY few minutes cha,
with you. One Christmas morning my ia
Their was sick, and ! attended the toll bar.
On that day you passed through aud open
cd the gate Cor YOU. Do you recollect it,.
sir?n
sNof my friend"
mo, sir; few such men remember their
kind deeds, but those who are bcnetiticd
by them seldom forget them. lamperhaps
prolix; listen, however, only few minutes.
and have done" The banker, who lie.
gan TO feel interested, al once nsscnicd.
Well, sir, us | said before, threw open
the gate for you, aud as considered m, sell
in duty bound wished yoa happy Christ
inns.
Thank you, nv lad snid yon--.ihank
you; and the same To YOU; here is n triIle
TO make il sos end YOU threw mo seven
shilling piece.
II was the frs, money ever possessed;
and never shall forget my joy Oh receiv-
ing il, or your kind smile 10 besto~ing j,
long treasured Il, and as grew up, added
a little to il, ill was able to rent q toll
myself. You left that part of the country.
and l lost sight of you. Yearly, however.
] have been getting on; your present hrot
good fortune with il. am now Compare
lively rich, and to You consider owe all.
So this morning hearing accidontly that
there was run on your bank, collected
oil my capital, and have brought it to lodge
with YOU, in case it can bc Of nny USE
Here il il, sir, here it H." and no handed a
bundle oil bank notes To tho agiin,cd
Thompson. ain a few days Ill call again."
and snatching up his hat, the stranger,
throwing down his care, walked cut Of
the room.
Thompson undid tho roll /, contained
100000? The stcrn-hear,ed banker--lnr
all bankers mus, be siern-hurst into tears
The firm did not require this prep; bat the
motive was 50 noL!e. that even a million
air sohbed-he could not help il. The
firm il still one at the first in London.
The 100000 ofthe turnpike bes is now
grown into some i200,O00. Fortune
disposed Of her gifts.