Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-05-25
The Turnpike Boy and the Banker,


1t was during panic, some years since,
that gentleman, whom we shall now call
Mr.. Thompson, was seated, with something OF
a melancholy look, in his dreary back room,
watching his clerks paying away thousands
of pounds hourly. ThompsoA~ was banker
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 as I speak of, no rational reflection was
admitted, no former stability was looked to;
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 sat
gloomily, watching the outpouring of his
gold, and with grim smile listening to the
clamorous demands on his cashier for, al
though he felt perfectly easy and secure as to
the ultimate strength of his resources, yet be
SOOAO hOU IL coo q ICCAAhS VI O1IbCIAOSS, cto
he saw constituent after constituent rush in
and those whom he always fondly imagined
to be his dearest friends, eagerly assisting in
the run upon his strong box
Presently the door was opened, and stran-
ger was ushered in, who. after gazing for
moment at the bewildered banker, coolly
drew a chair and abruptly addressed him.
"You will pardon me, sir, for asking rather
strange question; but am a plain man.
and like to come straight to the point.''
"Well, sir p impatiently interrupted the
other.
81 have heard that you have run on your
bank, sir"
GWell."
at is true?''
"Really, sir, 1 must decline replying
your very extraordinary query. Ifhowev
you have any money in the bank, you b.
better at once draw it out, and so salts
yourself; our cashier will instantly pay yor
and the banker rose, as hint for the stranN
ger to withdraw.
Ear from it, sir have not sixpence in
your hands. -
"Then may ask what is your business
here?"
II wish to know if a small sum would aid
you at this moment"
"Why do you ask that question"
because, if it would, should gladly pay
in small deposit"
The money dealer startled.
"You 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? Ny father kept that gate, and
was very often honored with few minutes
chat with you. One Christmas morning, my
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 1, my friend"
''No. sir, few such men remember their
kind deeds, but those benefited by them sell
dom forget them. ''I am perhaps prolix.
Listen, however, only few moments, and I
have DONE"
me banker, who began to feel interested,
at once assented.
"eil' sir, as said before, I threw open
.ne gaze for you, and as considered myself
IN outy bound wished you happy Christ
mas."Ihank you, my lad,o replied you /;
mere is a trlHe to make it SO and you threw
me a tribe to make it so and you threw me
seven shilling piece. Itwas the first monou
| ever possessed and never shall foroot -,
joy on receiving it, or your smile when ho
slowing it. Hong treasured it, and as 7 ore,v
up, added little to it, till was able to rent
toll myself. You soon after left that part