Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-04-10
The Turnpike Boy and Banker.

that gentleman, by the name of Thompson, was
sea'ed with something of melancholy look, in his
afeary back room, watching his clerk paying away
thousands of pounds hourly He was banker of
excellent credit there existed, perhaps. in the city
Oh London, no safer concern than that OF Messrs.
thompson Co., but at a moment such as speak
oil, no rational reflection was admitted, 30 forme
stability was looked to; general dstrust felt.
anu every one rushed 10 his bankers to withdraw his
noard, fearful that the next instant would be loo
late' forgetting that his step was of all others, the
most hkely to insure the ruin be sought to avoid.
But 10 return, The wealthy citizen sat gloomily
"a'chlog the outpouring OF bis gold, and with a
grim smile listening 10 the clsmorous demands on
MS cashier, Tor although he felt perfectly easy and
secure as 10 the ultimate of his resources vet be could
not repIess feeling of bitterness as he consti-
'9ent alter constituent rush in, and those whom he
always iondly imagined to he his dearest friends
eagerly assisting in the run upon bis strong box.
PreSenily the door was opened and stranger was
usnered IN who, after gazing for moment at the
De~lIdered banker, cooly drew chair and abruptly
addressed him:
You Will. pardon me, Sir, for asking rather a
strange question, tut am plain man, and like 10
come TO the point"
Well sir % imratieny interrupted the other.
" have heard that you have run on your bank,
Sir"
"WelI 2"
lis it true !'
Really, Sir, must decline replying to your very
extraordinary query. IT, however, you have any
money in the bank you had better at once draw ii
out and so satisfy yourself cashier will instant
ly you - and the banker rose as hint for the
stranger to Withdraw.
Far from it, Sir; ] have not sixpence in your
| hands"
"Then, may ask you, wba, is your bushes.
here ?"
! ' | 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 a
small Deposit
The money dealer started.
'' You seem surprised you don't know my person
or my motive. I'll at once explain. Do you recol-
lect, some twenty years ago, when you resided in
Essex 2"
"Perrecy'
"We, then, Sir, perhaps you have not forgotten
the turnpike gate through which you passed daily
My father kept that gate, and was very often hon
ored with few minutes chat with you. One Christ
mas morning my father was sick, and attended th
toll bar. On that day you passed through, and
opened the gate. Do you recollect it, Sir g.
mot |, my friend"
"No, Sir few such men remember their kin.
Deeds but those benefited by them seldom forge
them. | am, perhaps, prolix listen, however, onl,
a few moments, and have DONE"
The banker, who began to feel interested at ono
assented.
'WelI, Sir, as said before, threw open tn
gate for you, and as | considered myself in dut,
bound wished you happy Christmas. 'Thanl
you, my lad replied you thank you, and The sam
to you here is trae to make it So; and you threw
me seven shilling piece. 1t was the first money
ever Possessed, and never shall forget my iov OF
receiving it, or your kind smile on bestowing it.
long treasured it, and grew up, added little to it
till was able to rent a toll myself You soon af,e
left that part Of the country. and lost sight of you
Yearly, however have been gaining on, your pres
ent brought good fortune with IT. am now eompar
atively rich, and to you | consider | owe ALL So
this moIning. hearing accidentally that there was
run on your bank, drew my deposits from my bank
er, and have brought them to lodge with you, in cas-
they be of any use here they are sir-here the,
ares and he handed bundle of bank notes to tn,
agltated Thompson. {" In few days I'll call again ;
and snatchl1g up bis hat the stranger, THROWN,
down his card, imm mediately walked out of the room
Thompson opened the roll it contained 100000
The stern hearted banker bursted into tears, Th,
firm did not require this props but the motive wa
SO noble that a millionaire was afected-h,
could not help it. The firm is still one of the frs
in the city of London