Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-05-19
The SeYen.ShiIling PINce.


trate the sacred saying, "Cast thy bread
upon the waters" etc. Few things are
more pleasant in the history Of life than
the unexpected reward of little and long
past kindnesses.
1t was during the panic of 1926, that O
gentleman, whom we shall call Mr. Thomp-
son, was seated, with something of mel
ancholy look, in his dreary back room,
watchingshis clerks paying away thousands
of pounds hourly. Thompson was q banker
of excellent credit-there existed, perhaps,
in the city of London, no safer concern
than that of Messrs Thomson & Co.; but
at a moment such as speak of, no ration
al reflection was admitted, no former sta
bility was looked to; general distrust
was felt, and every one rushed to his bank
er's to withdraw his hoard, fearful that the
next instant would be too late, forgetting
entirely that this step, of all others, was
the most likely to insure the ruin he sought
to avoid.
But to return. The wealthy citizen sat
gloomily watching the outpouring of his
gold, and with grim smile listened to the
camorous demands ON his cashier; for al
though he felt perfectly easy and secure as
to the ultimate strength Of his resources,
yet he couldnot repress feeling of bitter
ness as he saw constituent afterconstituent
rush in, and those whom he fondly
imagined to be his dearest friends eagerly
assisted in the run upon his strong box.
Presently the door opened, and stranger
was ushered in, who, after gazing mo-
ment at the bewildered banker, coolly
drew chair, and abruptly addressed him
"You will pardon me, sir, for asking n
strange question; but ] am plain man,
and like 10 come straight 10 the point.
"Well, sirp" iWpatiently interrupted the
other.
II have heard that you have run on
your bank, sir. Is it trueY'
"Really, sir, i must decline Ereplying TO
your very extraordinary query. II, how
ever, you have any money in the bank, you
had better at once draw it out, and so sat
isfy yourself; our cashier will instantly pay
you;" and the banker rose-as n hint for
the stranger TO withdraw
"Far from it, sir; have not one six
pence in your hands"
"Then, may ask, what il your business
hereH }.-t
81 wish TO know if q small sum would
aid you at this moment?"
"Why do you ask the question 2"
Because If it would should 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 ex-
plain. Do you recollect some 20 years ago,
when you resided in Essex
Perfectly"
"Well, then, sir, perhaps you have not
forgotten the turnpike gate through which
you passed daily My father kept that
gate, and was often honored by few min
ntes' chat with you One Christmas morn
ing my father was sick, and / attended the
toll-bar ; On that day you passed through,
and opened the gate for you. Do you
recollect, sir2"
mot /, my friend"
NO, sir; few such men remember kind
deeds, but those who are benefited bythem
seldom forget them. / am, perhaps, pro-
lix liaten however only few moments;
and have done"
The banker, who began to feel interested
at once assented.
'Well, sir, as said before, threw open
Jne RhDo lOI yOuj hnu, 40 COibiuoicu NY
self in duty bound, / wished You happy
Christmas. Thank you, my lad, you ro-
piled, thank you, and the same teyou;
hero is trife TO make IL so, and you threw
me seven-shilling piece. II was the FIRST
money ever possessed; and never shall l
forget my Joy on receiving IT,. or your kind
smile on bestowing it, long treasured it,
and ms l grow up added little TO it, till 1
was able 10 rent a toll myself You left
that part of the country, and I lost sight Of
you. Yearly, however, Il have been getting
on; present brought good fortune with
il, am now comparatively rich, and to
you consider oweit al. SO this morn
ing, hearing that there was 0 run on your
bank, collected all my capital, and have
brought IL tolodge with You, in case il can
be ofany use. "fIere IL "a, sir-here il Isl"
and he handed q bundle of bank notes TO
the agiteted Thompson. 4,l .'t
'1n a few days I'll call again, and tax
ing up his hat, the stranger, throwing down
his card walked out Of the room,