The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-07
The Turnpike Boy and the
4M Banker. ,ra,fsy 80.


It was during a panic in England some wears
since, that gentleman by the name Of Thomp-
son, was seated with something of melan-
choly look, in his backroom, watching his
clerk paving away thousands OF pounds hour
IIy. He was banker Of excellent credit;
there existed. perhaps, in the CITY of London.
no safer concern than that Of Messrs. Thomp-
sor, 4. Co. but at tI,e moment such as / sneak
Of, no rational reflection was admitted, no
former stability was iooke ed n. 4 general dis
trnst wa fa,t and averr ono rnsbad to b;s
bankers to withdraw his hoard. fearful that
the next instant would be too late, forgetting
that his step was Of all others, the most likely
to insure the ruin he sought to avoid.
/ But to return: the wealthy citizen sat gloom
lily watching the out2ouring Of his gold, and
with grim smile listening to the clamorous
demands on his cashier, for although he felt
perfectly easy and secure as to the ultimate Of
his resources, yet he could not repress feel
ing Of bitterness as he saw constituents rush in,
and those whom he always fondly Imagined
to be his dearest friends eagerly assisting in
the run upon his strong box. gFGsgs IgaTf
Presently the door was opened and stran-
ger was ushered in, who, after gazing "a me-
ment at the bewildered banker, coolly drew
chair and addressed him: ...s, see, ~
! "You will pardon me. sir, Tor asking rather
a strange question, but am plain man, and
like to come to the roint.' ss-rag Il. g.oe
"Well. Sir?" impatienty interrupted the
other. a.er hg "a !
81 have heard that YOU have run on your
bank, SIR" q. ..Frs "a. f.s.saf.r.f q ~ q
"Well?s :, .g..ss4, 4se 49, f.3esa a..l s.
| "Is 1t true?" ;s- r. f,ss
| "Really, sir, I must decline replying to your
very extraordinary ouery. II. however. Won
have any money in the bank, you had better
at once draw it out, and satisfy yourself; our
cashier will instantly nav you., and the bank
er rose, as hint for the stranger to with
draw. ts.e = y.4.. aa aa, 3. 4-e.I
sFar from il, sir; have Lot ,sixpence in
your hands.' ase a 100
aThen, NAV ask YOU, what is yonr busi-
ness here?' 10 N. sFr
81 wish to know if a small sum would aid
you at this moment!'' sis7
sMhy DO you ask tna' queshonf 3
"Because, II It would 4 should gladly pay
IN = 'smaii aeposn 81.
Ihe money dealer started. r @
"fou seem surprised; you dsn't know my
person or my motive. lll at once explain
Do you recoiiect, some twenty years ago,
when you resided IN Essex"
perfectly" i
swell, then, sir, perhaps you have not for
gotten the turnpike gate through which you
passed daily. MY tatner KEPT that gate, ana
was very ofteh nonorsu Win rev minutes
cnat with you. one christmas morning my
rather was SICK, ana attended the toll BAR
on tnat DAY You passed through, and open
&c tue gate. 10 you recoiiect y, slrT
MOI y my liie"o
1 "No, sir few such men remembertheir kind
deeds, but those benefited by them seldom
forget them I am, perhaps, prolix; listen,
however, only few moments, ands'I have
DONE" .
The banker. who began to feel interested, at
once assented. 4 to f
| 0Well. sir. as said before. 7 threw omen
the gate for ) you, and as considered myself
| in duty bound, wished you happy Christ
mas. "Thank YOU, nv lad - said YOU, athank
you, and the same to You; here is triAe to
make IL so:, and Won threw me seven shil-
.....a ana n.xer sh.,, : forast NV ;ov !, :
..;,;nn u !, ,,,,r l;na .n,;,. =, h..,o,,,n.;.