Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-08-07
missed. L A N 60 is
The Turnpike Boy and the Banker.


The Turnpike Boy and the Banker.
It was during panic, some years since
that gentleman whom we shall call M
Thompson, was seated with something o
a melancholy look, in his dreary back
room, watching his clerks paying away
thousands of pounds hourly. Mr.. Thomp.
son was banker Of excellent credit; there
existed perhaps in the city Of London nc
safer concern than that of Messrs. Thomp.
son Il Co., but at Il moment such as
speak Of, no rational reelection was admit
ted, no former stability was felt. and every
one rushed 70 his bankers to withdraw his
hoard. fearful that the next instant would
be too late, forgetting entirely that this
step was, of all others, the most likely to
insure the ruin he sought to avoid.
But to return. The wealthy citizen sat
g.oomily, watching the out pouring Of his
gold, and with grim smile listened TO
camorous demands on his cashier; fer al
though he FELT perfectly easy and secure
as to the ultimate strength of his resources,
yet he could not repress feeling Of bitter
ness as he saw constituent after constitu-
ent rush in, and those whom he iondly
imagined to be his dearest friends, eagerly
assisting in the run on his strong box.
Presently the door Was opened, aud a
stranger ushertd in, who, sf,er gazing q
moment, at the bewldered banker, coo!ly
drew chair, and abruptly addressed
him -
"You will pardon me-, Sir, in asking
rather strange question; but | am a
plain man and lake to come straight to the
point"
We'll. sir = i,npatiently interrupted the
other,
II have heard that you have run on
your bank. sir"
"Weil ~
Is it true ?"
"Really, sir; must decline replying to
your very extraordinary query. Ii, how
ever you have any money in the bank,
you had better at once draw it out, and so
satisfy yourself; our cashier will instantly
pay you, end the banker rose, as hint
10. the stranger to withdraw.
"Far from it, sir, have net a sixpence
in your hands.
Chen may I ask you what is your bu-
s,ness here;"
II wish 70 know If small sum would
aid yoa al this moment,"
"Why did you ask that question I"
Because il it would, should gladly
pay in small deposit"
The money dealer started.
"You seem surprised you don't know
my person or motive. III at once ex-
plain. Do you reeollect some twenty
years ago, when you resided in Essex p
"Perfectly."
"Well then, sir, perhaps you have not
forgotten the turnpike gate through which
you passed daily NJ, father kept that and
was very often honored with a few min.
utes chat with you. One Christmas morn
ing my father was sick. and at;eEded
the toll bar. On that day you passed
through and opened the gate. Do you
recollect it, sir p
"Not |, my friend"
mo, sir, few such men remember ,heil
kind deeds, but those benefi tied by tlleu
seldom forget them. am perhaps pro
liX listen, however, only few moments
and I shall have done"
ested, a. Unce assented.
Well, sir, as | said before, threw
open the gate for you and as | considered
myself in duty bound wished you hap,
py Christmas" "Thank you my lad, you
replied, thank yod, and the same 10 you
here issa trifle to make it So" and you
threw me a seven shilling piece. 1t was
the first money I ever possessed, and you
smiled when you bestowed it. ! treasured
it. and as l grew up added little &c
1t, till was able to rent toll myself
You soon after let at part of the country
and lost sight ofyou. Yearly. however,
have been gaining; your. present brought
good fortune; | am now comparatively
rich, and to you | consider owe all. S.
this morning hearing accidentally tina
there ives ruin en- your bank coilecte,
all my capital, and have brought il to lodg,
with you, in case it can be Of any use
here it is sir, here il Isl and he handed
bundle OF bank notes to the agita;e,
Thompson. "In few days | viii cal
again" and snatchipg up his hat. tn
stranger, throwing down his card imme
dately walked out of the room.
Thompson opened the roll, It contain
ed $1,000 The stern banker-for "a
bankers must be stern-burs, into tears -
The firm did not require this prop; bu
the motive was so noble. that even a mil
, lionaire sobbed-he could not help it,
The firm is still one of the first in til
city of London,
The $4,000 Of ibe turnpike boy
now grown into some 5000 900. Forum
has well disposed of her gifts,