The Portland daily press., 1871-01-09

PORTLAND.
MONDAY, JANAURY 0. 1871.
Savings Banks.

think we have no Institutions in the State
more useful in. ..th ,ir work and more benefi
cial in their influence than our Savings Banks
was much struck, the other day, with theil
actual working. I happened in at one O
them in this city, and remained behind the
counter for an hour, deeply interested in
what saw. During all that time, the "de-
positors" were constantly coming .and going,
there being dozen or more constantly at the
counter, awaiting their turns" watched
very closely the constantly changing group
and the whole scene. Here are two children
waiting their turn; when it comes, they step
up to the counter, their eyes but an inch or
two above the top, and standing on tip toe,
hand in their "books" and their money. Ore
deposited twenty five cents, the other, seven
ty-five, and after the entries were made, they
received thir books and marched off with an
air of capitaists-and they were, for they had
already ten dollars in the Bank, and if life and
health are spared, will in due time have thou
sands. -L
Make way-here comes woman with a
child in her arms. She makes first deposit oil
five dollars in its name. and takes its "book y
Here comes a man in bis working dress, lead
ing little boy by the land, not tall enough
to peep upon the counter, with dollar in his
hand and wanted it added to his book, with
which lie walks proudly away, led by his fa-
tier, who brings him there every month with
his dollar, and watches the rapid increase OF
the deposit" with as much interest, as the
child does.
Now here is row of grown up girls; their
turn has come; the first one hands in her
book with twenty dollars in 1.-THE savings of
twenty weeks Of faithful service in, some fami-
ly-to be added to her little fund already in
the bank. The next, the next and the next
do the same-xith ten doll-rs, twenty five
dollars and one even with thirty dollars, to be
added to their little store; they receive lack
their books with pleased expression of face;-
another shot in the locker, sailor would say
another anchor to windward-another pre-
uentor stay!
But here comes young girl, with hor book
and no money in it, she says smother is sick
and want to take out twenty dollars; I'm
sorry to do it but We can't get on without, for
have to take care of mother and can't earn
anything till she gets BETTER" She receives
the money with few kind words, and the
friendly wish that her mother may soon be
well, and makes room for others, who contin-
ue to come faster even than they go, so that
the numbers increase, waiting to be served.
Working men, working women and child
ren, mostly from the country as well as from
the city; more women and children than men,
but great many in all. Here comes man !;
he puts in twenty dollars in the name sof a
newly born grandchild; he has done the same
for every one Of his grand children "a little
fund tfat will be large when the child is of
age, with the additions sure to be made to it.
Here comes young man and hands in his
book; he wants to draw $5O.0Oof his account;
the official says: "I'm very busy now, come
in by and by after thecrowd is little thinned
off," and turning to me he said, "that young
man Pm afraid is spending his money foolish
ly, and l want an opportunity to talk him out
OF it." The next is a young girl who wants
to draw ten dollars; the official says ''when
you want TO draw money please bring your
mother with you"- and then to me in an un.
dertone; "her mother was here yesterday and
wanted me to refuse to let her have money,
because she was inclined now to spend 1t
foolishly; l can't refuse, if she insists and pro-
duces her book, but.I do my best in that way,
always, when l know the circumstances."-
Here are three boys who have been talking
with each other apart, for sometime; they
came near to where I was standing and one
OF them said to me, do you think it, will be-
safe Tor US to put our money in here? ?" "Yes,
it will be perfectly safe here, but if I was sure
you'd lose it, would advise you to put it here
all the same" They were little bewidered
at that, and said: "What, if we should lose
its" eyes, because by saving your money to
bring here, you're acquiring habits of economy
and forecast and industry which will be worth
many times more to you, as mel, than all the
money you can possibly earn and save as
boys. But you needn't fear; earn all you can
and save what you earn it will be perfectly
safe here; and when you become men you
Will have a nice sum with which to begin life,
and habits of industry and of saving that will
be Invaluable to you. ND.