The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-31

featured Scotch clerk, rnc putt oi Vic Gil
ployes. the standing joke of the younger
branches of the establishment, aud youth
looked upon with no very favorable eyes by
the superior officers of the bank.
"Well, what do you want ?" inquired
Harley, with slight sheer on his hand
some lips.
The Scotchman, whose awe in the pre-
sence of the magnates somewhat disturbed
| his COMMUNITY, stood twisting his thumbs
and shutting his feet in highly nervous
state but his clear gray eyes maintained,
nevertheless, that sort of independence aud
mastery of his thoughts indicative OF q
shrewd, able, determined mind.
al have g. communication to make. gen
| tlcmen-"
"Then make it at once" exclaimed Har-
ley, angrily.
"Let the poor lad alone, Harley" mntter-
ed the good -natured Ferguson to his irasci-
| BILE partner.
The Scotchman, however, fixed his keen
ewes on the head of the firm, and continued :
| "This half million just paid IN by gen
tleman representing Sir Anthony GriphaII
is plot"
"a what 2" cried Harley.
GA plot, dodge, designed to bring ruin
on the firm, gentlemen "replied the Scotch
man, cmphatically.
The effect of this statement upon the
three partners was electrical: the two
Young men, with incredulity and wrath
slammed on their features, seemed about to
immediate the venturous youngstcr to the
names of libel but the senior turned pale.
"This is a very serious statement, yonDg
man." said the latter, solemniy. How
arc you prepared to substantiate it?'
The countenance of the clerk c'ouded:
look of doubt, fear, and perplexitv, au-
CURED i'll for that candor naturally TO be
expected on such a momentous occasion.
Gentlemen" he said, after short pause,
during which his emotion was painfully
visible to the experienced glances Of his
superiors, 1" must throw myself upon
vour generosity. How became possessed
of this secret cannot reveal. have felt
il nv duty to warn you of the true nature
of this transaction. ! can vouch for the
accuracy of my statement: but time can
alone prove it's truth. Within one fortnight
from this date every penny Of that half
million will he withdrawn at one draft.
Gentlemen, | implore you TO be careful"
The earnestness with which this address
was delivered, the entire conviction clearly
manifested in his manner that what he
stated was the simple fact; aud, above all,
the absence of any conceivable motive on
his part for concocting such IN extraordl-'
nary falsehood, produced singular effect
upon his hearers.
"What the devil DO you mean? Where
did you learn this rigmarole OF nom
sense ?" asked the contemptuous Harley.
81 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 q cock-and-bull story without lit
tie of corroborative evidence }" said Fergu-
son, suddenly facing around, and endeavor-
ing to stare the poor fellow out OF counte-
nance. If such were the intention, 1t ut
terly failed the whole soul of the clerk
was concentrated in one strenuous desire to
have his word of warning needed by the
senior partner, and his gray eyes were fast
ened eagerly upon the venerable face OF
that dignitary.
In answer to the query of the last speaker,
he merely said: O I have done my duty,
sir; can do no more
The head of the firm turned 10 the
cashier. who had remained silent but in
terested spectator of the foregoing scene,
his eyes intently scrutinizing the hard,
coarse features of the Scotchman, as II
reading, as in book, the workings OF his
mird.
"What is your opinion Of this affair,
Markham ~ asked the former.
The cashier bowed, rs vas his wont when
addressing the arch-priest of Mammon:
and taking the pen from behind his ear. as
if BY twirling it in his fingers to balance
his ideas, replied: at is a mysterious
case, sir, certainly. This young man seems
to me to have acted very properly IN
coming forward, provided, Of course, that
his statement he true. On that point, an
of opinion, from my knowledge Of his into
gritty, honesty, and general good conduct,
that it is true thus far-namely, that he Is
fully persuaded of its truth.
"'The grounds upon which his opinion
has been formed are not shown, conse-
ouently tn question appears to be
whether, sir, you can have sufficient conf
dence in his judgment TO act upon his
warning; or whether, taking into con5ide-
ration the high character, and 20 forth, OF
Sir Anthony Griphall, you would not be
justified in setting aside this accusation as
the result of misconception, or what not,
of the real facts on the part Of this young
man."
The cashier had commenced life az
LAWYERS clerk, hence the logical style Of
his speech, which had a very diverse effect
upon the three principals.
4" Confound the fellow Send him TO the
right-about with his twaddle and tomfool-
cry" cried Harley, eying the delinquent
with no kindly glance. -,
THE cash would set us square again
remarked Ferguson, thorghuuly.
"Gentlemen," said the senior partner,
raising himself in the chair with On air OF
decision, al cannot agree with you. The
risk il too tremendous to be lightly run.
At present, as far as We can judge, there Is
no immediate danger TO our credit; with
the exception of that heavy draft OF Messrs.
Gunton & Co., the morning has passed
ouietly. must insist upon exercising my
authority as head of this firm. The circum-
stances. allow, are extraordinary, but ca
pable of easy solution. The young man
states that within one fortnight from this
date the whole amount of this money will
be withdrawn, with the intention of utterly
running our credit, since, in these times and
under these difficulties, were We to appropri-
ate this large sum, the probabilities of our
being able TO meet such draft are very pro-
blematical indeed. II, then, this occurs Of
which he has warned US, he merits reward
and gratitude if his story turns out 10 be
false, he receives his discharge. Mean
while I need hardly impress upon your
u ;nds, gentlemen, the necessity of keeping
this communication close secret. as 10
the money, you will place it in separate
chest. Marx ham label it, and see that not