The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-04-24

Ths Tarnpike-bsy and the Bankcr.
II was during panic. some years since.
that gentleman, whom we shall now call
Mr. Thompson, was seated with something
Of q melancholy Look, in his drsary back room
watching his clerks paying away thousands
Of pounds hourly. Thompson was a banke.
Of excellent credit: there existed perhaps
in the city Of London no safer concern than
that Of Messrs. Thompson & Co., but at a
moment such 90 speak of, no rational re.
Election was admitted, no former stability
looked to; Q general distrust was felt, and
every one rushed TO 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 sal
gloomily, watching the outpouring of his gold
and with grim smile listening to the clam
orous demands on his cashier; for although
he felt perfectly easy and secure as to the vi.
innate strength of his resources, yet he could
not repressa feeling of bitterness as he saw
constituent after constituent rush in, and
those whom he fondly imagined to be his
dearest friends, eagerly assisting in the run
upon his stronghold.
Presently the door was opened, and stran-
ger was ushered in, who after gazing at the
bewildered banker, coolly drew a chair, and
abruptly addressed hun
'You will pardon me, sir, for asking rather
a strange question; but am plain man, and
like to come straight TO the point
We'll, sirr inpatiently interrupted the 9TH
err.
Il have heard that you have run on your
bank, sir
'Wellr
as il true!'
Really, sir, must decline replying to your
very extraor iinary query. If, however, 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;' and tn
banker rose, as q hint for the stranger "a
withdraw.
Far from it, sir; have not sixpence in
your hands,
Then may | ask you what is your business
herer
Il wish to know IL a small sum would aid
you at this moment?
why do you ask that question:
Because, lift would, should gladly pay in
email Deposit
The money dealer started.
'YUu seem surprised; you don't know my
person or my motive. I'll at once explain.
Do you recollect some twenty years ago when
you resided in Essex!"
Perfectly
well then, sir perhaps you have not for.
gotten the turnpike-gate through which YOU
passed daily! My father kept that gate and
was very often honored with a few minutes
oh af wit Chrss
father was sick, and attended the toll bar.
On that day you passed through, and OPEN
ed the gate. Do you recollect it, sir!'
Not /, my friend
mo, sir, few such men remember their
kind deeds but those benefited by them seldom
forget them. atm perhaps Prolix; listen,
however only few moments, and have
DONE
well. sir, as said before, . threw open
the gat. for yJu, and as considered myself
in duty bound, wished y ~ happy Christ.
mas. Thank you my lad replied you
thank you, aud the same to you; here is a
trlfle to make it so; aud you threw me a sew
en- shilling piece. 1t was the first money
ever possessed, and never shall forget my
joy on receiving it, or your kind smile when
bestowing it. long treasured it, and as
grew up added little To il, ill was able To
rent toll myself. You soon after left that
part OF the country, and lost sight of you.
Yearly, however, have been gain or;
your present brought good fortune with it;
am now comparatively rich, and to you
consider owe all. So this morning, hear
ing accidentally that there was run on your
bank, ] collected all my capital, and have
brought il to lodge with you. in case it can
be OF any use; here it is sir-here it Isl and
he handed bundle Of bank notes to the ae.
itated Thompson. In few Gays I'll call
again. and snatching up his hat, the stranger
throwing down his card, Immediately walked
out of the room.
Thompson opened the roll; it contained
100000! The stern.hearted banker-lor al
bankers must be stern-bsrst into tears.
The firm did not require this prop; but the
m tive was 90 noble, that even q millionaire
could not help it. The firm is
still one Of the first in the city of London.
The 100000 Of the turnpike-boy 10 now
grown into some f2OO,OOO. Fortune has
wei! disposed of her gifts.