Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-12-18


by the superior officers of the hank.
"Wen, what do you wantS" inquired
Harley, with slight sneer on his hand
some lips.
The Scotchman, whose awe In the pres.
ence of the magnates somewhat disturbed
his equanimity, stood twisting his thumbs
and shutting his feet in highly nervous
state but his clear gray eyes maintained,
nevertheless, that sort Of Independence
and mastery Of his thoughts indicative of
q shrewd, able, determined mind.
al have communication to make, gen
tlemen-" .f.,. ,r.
"Then make 1t at oncel" exclaimed
Harley, angrily.
"Let the poor lad alone, Harley" NUT
tered the good-natured Ferguson TO his
irascible partner.
The Scotchman, however, fixed his keen
tinued. "This hRlfmillion just paid In
by gentleman representing Sir Anthony
Griphall is plot" .
"a what ?" cried Harley.
"a plot, dodge, designed to bring ruin
upon the firm, gentlemenP replied the
ScOtchuan, emphaticaliy.
The effect of this statement upon the
three partners was electrical; the two
younger men, with incredulity and wrath
stamped on their features, seemed about to
immediate the venturous youngster to the
names of libel; but the senior turned
deadly pale.
"This is very serious statement, young
man." said the latter, solemnly. "HoW
are you prepared to substantiate 1t q
The countenance of the clerk clouded /;
look of doubt, fear and perplexity
augured i'll for that candor naturally to be
expected on such momentous occasion.
Gentlemen" he said after short
pause, during which his emotion was
painfully visible to the experienced
glsnces of his superiors, ~ must throw
myself upon your generosity. How Ibe-
came possessed of this secret, cannot re-
veal. have felt it my duty to warn you
of the true nature of this transaction. /
can vouch for the accuracy of my state
ment but time can alone prove its truth.
Within one fortnight from this date, every
penny of that half-million will be with
drawn at one draft. Gentlemen, / Iimplore
you to be careful"
The earnestness with which this address
was delivered; the entire conviction clear
ly manifested In his manner that what he
stated was the simple fact and, above all,
the absence of any coz ceivable motive on
his part for concocting such an extraordi-
nary falsehood--produced singular eff
feet upon his hearers.
"What the devil do you meanG Where
did you learn this rigmarole of nonsense?"
asked the contemptuous Harley.
az am not at liberty to say, sir," re-
turned the clerk, respectfully but firmly.
"But, man, you don't expect us to listen
to such cock. and-bull story without a
little corroborative evidencer' said Fergu-
son, suddenly facing round and endeavor-
ing to stare the poor fellow out of coun-
tenance. If such were the intention it
utterly failed the whole soul of the clerk
was concentrated in one strenuous effort
to have his word of warning needed by
the senior partner, and his gray eyes were
astened eagerly upon the venerable face
of that dignitary.
In answer to the query of the last speak.
er, he merely said II have done my
| duty, sir can do no more"
The head of the firm turned to the cash
ier, who had remained silent but inter.
ested spectator of the foregoing scene, his
| eye intently scrutinizing the hard, coarse
features of the Scotchman, as if reading
as in book the workings of his mind.
"What is your opinion of this affair,
MarkhamH" asked the former.
The cashier bowed, as was his wont
when addressing the arch-priest of Nam
mon; and taking the pen from behind his
ear, as if by twirling it in his fingers tc
balance his ideas, replied 1t is mystic.
rious case, sir, certainly. This young man
seems 20 me to have acted very properly
in thus coming forward, provided, o.
course, that his statement be true. Or
that point, am of opinion, from my
knowledge of his integrity, honesty, an6
1 1ttn hot sa frrr fl.,rs
far-namely, that he is fully persuaded o.
| its truth.
"The grounds upon which his opinion
has been formed are not shown, conse
quently the question appears to me to be-
! whether, sir, you have sufficient confdencs
in his judgment to act upon his warning
| or whether, taking into consideration the
high character, and SO forth, of Sir An
thony Griphall, you would not be justified
in setting aside this accusation as the re
suit of a misconception, or what mot, o
the real facts, on the part of this youni
man."
| The cashier. had commenced life as |
lawyers clerk, hence the logical style o
his speech, which had very diverse et
| feet upon the three principals.
"Confound the fellow Send him I,
the right about with his twsddle and tom
foolery," cried Harley, eyeing the delin
suent with no kindly glance.
"The cash would set US square again !
remarked Ferguson, thoughtfully.
"Gentlemen,p said the senior partner
faising himself in his chair with an al
of decision, "I cannot agree with you
| The risk Is too tremendous to be light,
run. AT present, as far as we can Judge
there Is no immediate danger to our credit
| ba nv flff haf haa AroA 4,
Messrs. Gunton's g Co., the morning
has passed quietly / must insist upol
exercising my authority as head of thi
firm. The circumstances, allow, are ex
traordinary, but capable of easy solution
The young man states that within ON
fortnight from this date the whole of thi
money will be withdrawn with the inten
ton Of utterly running our credit, since, il
these times and under these difficulties
were we etoappropriate this large sum, tn
probabilities of our being able to NEE
such draft are very pEoblematioal in
deed. If, then, this occurs of which b
has warned US, he merits reward and graf
itude II his story turns out to be false, b
receives his discharge. Meanwhile,
need hardly impress upon your minds
gentlemen, the necessity of keeping tiki
Communication close secret. As % III
money, you viii place it in q separat
ehect, Markham; label il, and see that no
iarthing Of 1t Is touched till the perio
Of probation has elapsed. Young mar
you may Lave US"
q The firm of overplus & Go. still tioAtcd
boisteroas were the waves, high tn
Winds crippled the vessel, but yet
ON that sea of disaster, like nobl
bark under jury-masts, rode the ono
stately house OF the venerable banker
here crash, and there q crash--heE
ruin and there . wreck. Around an
atar on the sound Of falling edifces ran
: the knell OF others, each Involving its fe
low IN remorseless doom, Each day -iaw
enterprises collapsed, banks smashsi
whilst, athwart the gloom, ike q lash (
to.ked lightning, the horrid glare Of 81