The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-06-16
The seven-shillins Piece.

"a
Mr.. Thompson was seated with
something Of melancholy look, in
his dreary back-room, watching his
clerks paying away thousands Of
pounds hourly. Thompson was a
banker of excellent credit; there ex-
listed, perhaps, in the city of London
no safer concern than that Of Messrs.
Thompson d Co.; but a moment
such as speak Of no rational refec-
ton was admitted, no former stabili-
ty was looked to; a general distrust
was felt, and every one rushed to
his banker to withdraw his hoard,
fearful that the next instant would
be too late, forgetting entirely that
this step was that of all others the
most likely to insure the ruin he
sought to avoid.
But to return. The wealthy citi-
zen sat gloomly watching the out
pouring of his gold and with a grim
smile listening to the clamorous de-
mands on his cashier; for although
he 1elt perfectly easy and secure as
to the ultimate strength of his re-
sources, vet he could not repress a
feeling of bitterness as he saw con-
stituent after constituent rush in,
and those whom he fondly imagined
to be his dearest friends, eagerly as
sisting the run upon his strong box.
Presently the door opened and a
stranger ushered in, who after gazing
a moment at the bewildered banker,
cody drew chair and abruptly ad-
dressed him:
"You viii pardon me,sir, fer asking
a strange question; but I am plain
man and like to come straight to
the point"
"Well, sir?" impatiently rejoined
the other.
81 have heard that you had a run
on your bank, sir. Is it trueP'
Really, sir, 1 must decline reply
ing to your very extraordinary query.
If, however, you have any money in
the bank, you had better draw it out
and SO satisfy yourself Our cashier
viii instantly pay you;" and the
banker rose as hint for the stran-
ger to withdraw.
"Far from it sir; I have not one
sixpence in your hands"
@Then may 1 ask what is your
business herep
srI wsgh to know if a small sum
would aid you at this moment?"
''Why do you ask the question:?
Because if it would I should glad
ly pay a small deposit"
The money dealer started.
"You seem surprised; you don't |
know my person or my motive. Pll
at once explain. Do you recollect |
some twenty years ago when you re-
sided in Essexp
Perfectly"
"Wen, then, sir perhaps you have
not forgotten the turnpike gate which |
you passed daily, My father kept |
that gate, and, was often
honored with a few minutes
chat with you. One Christ |
mas morning my father was sick and |
1 attended the bar. On that day |
you passed through and 1 opened |
the gate for you. Do you recollect |
it, sirT'
'Not I, my fried"
'.No, sir; few such men remember |
their kind deeds, but those who are
benefited by them seldom forget |
them. am perhaps prolix; listen,
however, only few moments, and I
have done"
The banker, who began to feel in
terested, at once assented.
"Well, sir, as 1 said before, I threw
open the gate for you, and as 1 con-
sidered myself in duty bound I wish
ed you happy Christmas. Thank
you, my lad,' replied you; thank you
and the same to you; here is a trife
to make it so,' and you threw me
seven-shilling peice. Itwas the first
money 1 ever possessed; and shall
never forget my joy on receiving it,
or your kind smiles in bestoWing it,
and as 1 grew up added little more
to it5til 1 was able to rent a toll
myself You left that part of the and
country and lost sight of you.
Yearly, however, I have been get
ting on; 1 am now comparatively rich,
and to you I consider I lowe all. So
this morning, hearing accidentally
that there was a run on your bank,
I collected all my capital, and have
brought it to lodge with you, in case
it can be of any use. Here it is"
and he handed a bundle of bank
notes to the agitated Thompson, and
snatching up his hat, and throWing
down his card, the stranger walked {
out of the room.
Thompson undid the roll; it con-
tained 100000! The sten-hearted
banker-for all bankers must be
stern-burst into tears. The firm
did lot require the prop; but the :
motive was so noble that even a
millionaire sobbed-he could not
help it.
The 100000 of the turnpike boy
is now grown into f2OO,O6O. For
tune has well disposed of her gifts.