Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-03-07
The Seven Shilling Piece.

The Seven Shilling Piece.
During the great panic of 1926 a gentle
man named Thompson, was seated with some
thing of melancholy look in his dreary back
room, watching his clerks paying away thou
sands of pounds hourly. Thompson was
banker OF excellent credit; there existed per-
haps, in the city Of London, no safer concern
than that of Messrs. Thompson & Co; but at
moment such [ speak Of no rational re-
fection was admitted. no former stability was
looked to; general distrust was felt, and ev-
cry one rushed to his bankers to with
draw his hoard, fearful that the.pext instant
would be too late, forgetting entirely that this
step was that of all others the most likely to
insure the ruin be sought to avoid.
But to return. The wealthy citizen sat
gioomily watching the outpouring of bis gold
and with grim smile listening to the clanor
Gus demands on his cashier; for, although he
felt perfectly easy and secure as to the uiti-
mate strength to his resources, yet he could
not repress feeling of bitterness as he saw
constituent after constituent rush in, aud those
whom he fondly imagined to be his dearest
friends, eagerly assisting in the run upon his
stro az box.
Presently the door opened, and stranger
was ushered In, who, after gazing for q mo-
ment at the bewildered banker, coolly drew a
chair, and abruptly addressed him. s'You
will pardon me sir, for asking strange queS
ton; but 1 am plain nian, ana like to come
straight to the point y
We'll sir" impatiently interrupted the
other.
II have heard that you have run on your
bank, sir"
.'Well?"
''Is it true?"
GP -
your very cxtr aordinary query. If. howev-
er, you have any money in the bank, you Aad
better at once draw it out, and so satisfy your
self; our cashier will instantly pay you;" and
the banker rose, as a hint for the stranger to
withdraw.
''Far from it. sir; have not one sixpence
in your hands
Then may | ask what is your business
here?''
4 wished to know if small sum would
aid you at this moment.
why do you ask the question:"
Because if it would, should gladly pay
in a small deposit?"
The money dealer stared.
.: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 at Essex?'
Perfectly"
Well then, sir, perhaps you have not for
gotten the turnpike gate through which you
used to pass daily? Ny father kept that gate
and was often honored 10y few minutes chat
with YOU One Christmas morning my ia
ther was sick, aud L attended the toll bar |
On that day you passed through. and | open
ed the gate for you. Do you recollect it now |
sir?'
mot 1. my friend"
ssNo sIr; few such men remember their +!
deeds, but those who is benefited by them
L am perhaps Prolix; listen, however, only a |
few moments, and have done"
The banker began to feel interested, and at
once assented.
well, sir, as said before, 1 threw open 4
the gate for you and as l considered myself |
in duty bound, L wished you happy Christ
mas "Thauk you, my lad, replied you
thank you; aud the same to you; here IS a !
trife to make it SO, and you threw me sew |
en- shilling piece. 1t was the first money L /
ever possessed; and never shall | forget my /
Joy on receiving it, or your kind smile in bes /
towing it. L long treasured 1t, and as grew |
up. added little to it, TIL [ was able to rent /
a toll myself You left that part Of the coun
try, aud lost sight OF you. Yearly, how
ever, have been getting on; your present
brought good fortune with 1t, am now COM
paratively rich, and to you consider | owe
all So this morning, hearing accidently that
there was run on your bank. L collected all
nv capital, and have brought it to lodge with
you, in case it can be of any use; here il is >"
He handed bundle of bank notes to the agi-
tated Thompson. In few days I'll call
again. and snatching up his hat, the stran-
ger, throwing down his card, walked out of the
room.
Thompson undid the roll; it contained ESQ,
000 the stern hearted banker-for all baDk-
ers must be stern-burst into tears. The
firm did not require this prop; but the mo-
tive was so noble, that even a Millionaire sob
bed-he could not help it. The firm is still
one OF the first in London.
The $50, 600 of the turnpike boy is now
grown into some e200. 900. Fortune has
well disposed of her gifts