Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-05-07
MISCELLANE0Is.
The Bankers Seven-Shilling Piece,

1t was during one of the great national
panlcs, that a gentleman, who'may be called
Mr. Thompson-was seated, with something
OF melancholy look, in his dreary back room,
watching his clerks pay away thousands of
pounds hourly. Thompson was banker of
excellent credit-there existed, perhaps, in
the city Of London, no safer concern than
that of Messrs Thompson q Co. but at
moment like the one referred to, no rational
reflection was admitted, no former stability
was looked to. A general distrust was felt.
and every one rushed to his bankers to with
draw his hoard, fearing that the next Instant
would be too late-forgetting entirely that
this step was that of all others most likely to
insure the ruin that was sought to be avoid
ed. The wealthy citizen named sat gloomily
watching the outpouring of his gold, and with
grim smile listening to the Fclamorous de:
mands on his cashier; for although he felt
perfectly easy and secure as to the ultimate
strength OF his resources, yet he could not
altogether suppress feeling of bitterness as
he saw constituent after constituent rush in
and those whom he tondly imagined to be
his dearest friends eagerly assisting in the
run upon his strong box.
Presently the door opened, aud stranger
was ushered in, who, after gazing for mo-
ment at the bewildered banker, 'coolly drew u
chair, and abruptly addressed him:
You will pardon me, sir, for asking a
strange question, but I am plain man, and
like to come straight to the point"
well, sir" impatiently interrupted the
other.
81 have heard that you have run on your
bank, sir"
"Well?"
ais it-true ?'
"Really, sir must decline to reply to YOUR
most extraordinary 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 the
banker rose, as hint to the stranger to with
draw.
'Far from it, sir, have not one sixpence
in your hands,
"Then may ask what syour business here?'
''I wish to know if a small sum would aid
you at this mOment"
''Why Go you ask the question ?"
"BecaGse if it would, l would gladly pay
in 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 recollect some twenty years ago when
you resided in Essex ?''o
"Perfectly." 'r
"Well, then, sir, perhaps you have not for
gotten the turnpike gate through which YOU
passed daily? My father kept that gate and
was often honored by few minutes talk with
you. One Christmas morning, my father
was sick, and l attended the foil BAR On
that day you passed through, and l opened
the gate for you. Do you recollect it, sir 2"
"Not 1, my friend"
''No, sir; few such men remember their
kind deeds, but those who are benefited by
them ought not to forget them. l am per-
haps proix; listen, however, only a few mo-
ments, and [ have done" no.
The great banker had become interested,
and at once asscated.
"WeIl. sir, as 1 said before, threw open
the gate for you, as l considered myself in
duty bonnd-I wished you "a happy Christ
mas THANK you, my lad replied you
thank you; and the same to you; here is a
trlfe. to make it So and you threw me sey>
c" shilling piece. 1t was the first money 1
ever possessed, and never shall l forget my
JOY at receiving it, nor your kind smile in be-
slowing it. l long treasured it, and as [ grew
up, added little to it, till l was able to rent
a toll myself You LETT that part of the
country, and 1 lost sight of you Yearly,
however, have been getting on; your pres
ent brought good fortune with it, 1 am now
comparatively rich, and to you consider that
| owe all. So this morning, hearing acci-
dentally that there was run on your bank,
gathered all my capital, and brought, it to
lodge with you, in case it can be of any use;
here it is" and he handed bundle Of bank
notes to the agitated Thompson; 'in few
days will call again" Snatching up his
hat, and throwing down his card, he walked
out of the ROOM
Thompson undid the roll-it contained
thirty thousand pounds! The stern>hearted
banker-tor all bankers must be stern
burst into tears. The firm did not require
this prop; but the motive was so noble, that
even millionaire sobbed he could not
help IT. This house is still one of the firstin
London
The thirty thousand pounds of the turn
pike boy has now grown into some two hun
dred thousand pounds Fortune has well