The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-31
From Every Saturday.
pryrScE ENTRA oRnEyA


plus & Co.. bankers; the time, IL O'Clock
in the morning clerks busy, partners wor
ried, public confidence in the stability o
monetary concerns in general, and of th'
aforesaid house in particular, exceedingly
shaky: several large sums withdrawn
quietly, and, rs it were, by stealth, by GER
tain cautious individuals, whose interpreta'
ton of the signs Of the times was genera
panic, universal crash, and widespread
ruin. In fact, uncasincss charo cterized
every soul connected with the firm Of Over
plus & Co., from the most recent edition tc
the staff of emplovGs--a redhaired, gauut
cadaverous Scotch lad-to the venerable
white-haired cashier. Day by day, gold
rich yellow stream of the precious metal
flowed ont from the bankers Golfers, 10 be
replaced by notes new and crisp-notes
faded and thumb mark ed-notes crossed.
twisted, crumpled-notes from FIVE pounds
TO fve hundred pounds, indiscriminate
" cast together, representing the exact
depreciation Of the credit Of this celebrated
firm. AS yet. however, nothing like run
had taken place upon the hank these
spasmodic acts Of too prudent clients were
but heavy squalls, premonitory Of the
coming TEMPEST f: the shriil whistle, prepare
tory TO the roar of the hurricane: the cries
Of the drowning; the settling down Of tho
gallant ship in the turhid waters of bank
ruptcv. By skillful pilotage and careful
handling, the vessel might yet weather the
storm-yet reach haven Of safety. Never
theless, on this particular morning affairs
locked exceedingly black, the horizon was
overcast with angry clouds, the master
mariners held counsel together as to the
wisest course to pursue in the presence Of
impending danger.
"Fifty thousand pounds too had, too
bad +" remarked the stately patriarchal
head of the firm, leaning back YEARLY in
his chair.
"B]ack ingratitude exclaimed the
Junior partner-a handsome, intellectual
looking fellow, whose lips were quivering
with emotion as, leaning over the table. he
scrutinized the check for the abovenamed
sum, which had been presented for pay
ment that morning.
mo gratitude where money IS concerned,
Harley. The fellow is indebted TO our gene
rosity for his very existence, yet he shows
no mercy"
SPY my life. if ever get chance, let
him look out-l'll beggar him " cried the
young man iercely, his brows contracting
with anger, whilst he clenched his white
hand in puCilistic vehenence.
"' Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord >"
remarked the old man, solemnly. "Let Us
rather strive to extrica;e ourselves from
our difficulty than invoke evil upon our
fellow creatures. A few more such drafts
or tha - ha hor l1-
sustain the Shock
Though outwarily so calm, so tranquil, in
the presence Of threatening ruin, the clear
blue eye Of the senior partner expressed
the intensity of the grief breeding in his
soul as the first vibrations Of the earth
quake which nigh; hurl down the splendid
edifce reared by energy, perseverance, and
unrivalled skill, seemed to warn him of the
approaching catastrophe. The tightnes5 Of
the money market, the impossihility of ne
gotiating loans sufficient 10 meet the emer-
gency, the general condition of distress in
financial circles, the disposition TO hoard in
preference TO speculate-a sure symptom OF
the deterioration of credit in seasons of dis
turbance-all these causes combined TO rem
der the position Of the firm one of extreme
feeling Of depositors assume the aspect Of
run. Whilst the junior partner Of the
firm remained thoughtfully silent after the
chief had spoken, tall, stout man Of tiorid
complexion entered the room, exclaiming,
g Well, this is carrying the joke too far
Here's draft from Gunton ( Co. for
eighty thousand pounds. Confound them ~
An exclamation, almost groan, escaped
the lips of the senior partner, whilst An
audible backward blessing burst from the
lips of the fiery junior. "The mean
spirited hounds These are the very men
10 whom We advanced twenty thousand, not
month ago, TO save their credit"
Have you succeeded in negotiating a
loan with Messrs. Mantel, Ferguson ~
asked the senior partner, calmly.
No; they will not advance silver On
any terms"
The heads of the firm regarded each
other in blank dismay.
How long can We hold out, Ferguson p
asked Harley Of his portly coadjutor.
Really can't say. If the mob rush in,
We must throw up the cards." replied the
usually cheerful Ferguson, moodily.
A knock at the door interrupted the con
ference.
"Come in" cried Harley, impatiently.
The door opened, and the cashier pre-
sented himself with profound bow to tht
three priests of Mammon.
.s" swell, Markham, what is it % inquired
Harley, brusquely.
Five hundred thousand pounds paid il
By Sir Anthony Griphali," returned tn
cashier, simply.
The heads of the firm regarded eacl
sum of money placed at their disposal a
the very nick Of time, when, by its judi
eious use, ruin might be averted, the crisi
bridged over, the credit of the house saved
The impe,uous Harley first broke the 81
lence.
"a Godsend, by Jove, A miracle"
"ouee-, certainly" remarked Ferguson
What some people would call an interpo
sition Of Providence. The fact is, | sup
pose, that old Griphall stands to lose tn
half million or over by the crash of tn
Lombard firm"
The senior partner looked grave; tn
boon conferred by the celebrated million
aire might relieve his mind, but the cir
cumstance was not altogether soothing I
his pride. On the other hand, the Barone
might not be acquainted with the peculiarl
unsatisfactory condition of the firm, conse
ouently could not dream of the benefit
would derive from this deposit Of half
million OF cash.
Whatever may be Sir Anthony's res
cons, gentlemen, nothing can be more OF
Fortune than the placing Of this amount {
easn O. our disposal. 4 few hours NOR
wan oecide, not. perhaps, our fate,-I trus
there Is no real danger of tbat-bpt wins
taer we are 10 be SUBJECT to tbs inaictiop {
q run which we are i'll prepared a, preser
to meet remarked the venerable lead :
the firm with an air of some self-ora,n,s