Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-06-19
The Seyen-ShiIIipp Piece

Many a true story has been told to
illustrate the sacred saying, Cast
thy bread upon the waters,n &c.
Few things are more pleasant in the
history of life than the unexpected
reward of little and long past kind
nesseS.
1t was during the panic of 1926
that n gentleman, whom we shall
call Mr.. Thompson, was seated with
something OF a melancholy look, in
his dreary back room, watching his
clerks paying away thousands of
pounds hourly. Thompson was =
banker Of excellent credit,--there
existed, perhaps, in the city of Lon
don no safer concern than that of
Messrs. Thompson & Co. but at a
moment such as I speak of, no ra-
tional 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 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 citi-
zen sat gloomily watching the out
pouring of his gold, and with grim
smile listened to the clamOrous de-
mands on his cashier; for although
he felt perfectly easy and secure as
to the ultimate strength of his re-
sources, yet he could not repress a
feeling of bitterness rs he saw con
stituent after constituent rush in,
and those whom he fondiy imagined
to be his dearest friends, eagerly as
sisting in the run upon his strong
box.
Presently the door opened, and a
stranger was ushered in, who, after
gazing moment at the bewildered
banker, cody drew chair, and ah-
ruptly addressed him:
"You will pardon me, sir, for ask
ing n strange question {; but | am a
plain man, and like to come straight
to the point.
"Well ,sir?n impatiently interrupt
ed the other.
Il have heard that you have a run
on your bank, sir. Is it true -
Greatly, sir, | must decline reply
ing To your very extraordinary query.
If, however, you have any money III
the bank you had better at once draw
out, and so satisfy yourself; our
cashier will instantly pay you =
and the banker rose-as a hint for
The stranger to withdraw.
"Far from il sir; / have not one
sixpence in your hands,
''Then, may [ ask, what i your
business here 2''
Il wish to know if a small sum
would aid you ut this moment ,"
Why do you ask the question -
Because if it would | should glad
ly nay in n small Deposit
The money-dealer stared.
"Iou seem surprised you don't
at once explain. 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 a few minutes chat
with you. One Christmas morning
my father was sick, and | attended
the toll-bar. On that day you passed
through, and / opened the gate for
you Do you recollect, sir ?"
Not | my friend
"No, sir; few such men rememb Der
kind deeds, but those who are beue-
fitted by them seldom forget them. l
am, perhaps, proliX; listen, however,
only few moments, and | have
done.n
The banker, who began to feel in
terested, at once assented.
well, sir. AS / said before, | threw
open the gate for YOU, anG, as | con
sidered myself in duty bound, | wish
81 YOU happy Christmas. Thank
you my lad, you replied, thank you,
and the same to you;here Is n tritie 10
make it so, and you threw me sew
EN- shilling piece. 1t was the first
money | ever possessed; ami never
shall | forget my joy on receiving it,
or your kind smile on beStowing il.
| long treasured it. and as | grew up
added little To it, till / was able 10
rent toll myself You left that
part of the country. and | lost sight
of you. Yearly, however, / have
been getting on your present
brought good fortune with il ; | am
now comparatively rich, and to you
| consider | owe ii all So this morn
ing, hearing that there was a run on
your bank, / collecte led all my capital,
and have brought ii TO lodge with
you, in case il can be Of any use.
Here il is, sir-here it : - and he
handed bundle OF bank-nOtOS 10 the
agitared Thompson.
"In few days I'll call again. naud
taking up his hat, the stranger. throw
ing down his card, walked out OF the
room.
WHITEwASH.-Al little whitewash,
saws the Boston Journal Of ChcBliN-