The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-01-10


"A strange gentleman entered the quiet \
office of the United States Branch Bank |
in Savanna and inquired for the l'resl-
DENT occurrence not unusual. Com
ing into the presence Of the great man
Of the bank, the stranger introduced
himself as "Mr. Clark, OF New York
Mr.. President courteously clasped the
hand of Mr.. Clark, who reciprocated
Seats were now taken, and the first
general chat Of such meetings ensued.
A. last something like the following took
place:
.'AIr. President, / am broker, and
have some of your notes for which !
want the specie"
Certainly. Mr.. Clark. What amount
have you ?"
swell, perhaps have more than You
anticipate.
"Why, what is t9'
"very much larger than You usually
have presented, Ipresume
This catches the ear of the President,
who recalls 'Old Nick's" letter of in
structions. Mr.. President, with bland
smile, remarks:
"We shall be most happy to give You
the specie, whatever the amount, Mr..
Clark"
1t is Mr.. Clark's turn, now, to indulge
in soft inward smile. How little does
the President dream OF the crushing
bundle of Savannah notes now impend-
ing over his doomed bank! With non
chalancc which only a broker can put
on, Mr.. Clark finally replies to Mr.. Presi-
dents inquiry:
"One hundred and seventy-three
thousand dollars"
Strange to Mr. Clark, the President
never WINGED. With look of some sur
prise, he said:
"That is very extraordinary sum of
our notes for even Il broker to have. How
came you in possession of such an
amount Of Savannah notes, Mr.. Clark
81 don't know that I need to make
any explanation, sir. All l ask is the
specie"
81 hope, Mr.. Clark, that this does not
cover any malicious attempt to injure
our bank"
81 repeat, Mr.. President, l came for
the specie for these notes, and would be
obliged if you would let me have it.
sob, certainly. Cashier
The Cashier presents himself, pen Oh
ear.
''This gentleman says he has S173, 0Ot
of our notes, for which lie wants the
specie Please count his money ant
give him the specie. l suppose. however
you will prefer drafts for most of this
Mr.. Clark? How will you have them
on New York or Philadelphia? Or ars
you wanting to place funds in New
Orleans ?"
81 want the specie"
"yery well. Drafts on New York vii
be specie to you, of course. Wha
amount of draft will you have, and hov
much specie?"
81 want no drafts at all-only specie
SIR"
"But so much specie will cost you
very large sum for insurance and trans
portation.
"That is my lookout, sir"
"Oh, very well. I beg your pardon
Give him the specie, Mr.. Cashier"
Smilingly the polite cashier receive
Mr.. Clark's pile Of notes, counts then
announces the amount correct, and
returning to the back room, calls one 9
two clerks to the vaults, and attacks til
specie kegs. And now they roll out
the memorandum clerk calling ont in
clear voice, "Five thousand"-" te
thousand" fifteen thousand"-"twei
ty-five thousand"-and yet steadily I'll
kegs rolled out, and the clerk Gale
aloud the accommodating specie.
At first, Mr.. Clark, broker from Ne
) York, admired the cool and easy way
, which the President played his "bluff
for, in his heart, Mr.. Clark was sure
: was sheer bluff. There could not
3 fifteen thousand dollars specie in tn
bank, by an possibility. And SO, whit
: the President, after his directions to Il
e cashier, commenced social chat on &c
: eral topics, Mr.. Clark responded. \
n sign was made by either, which indicat'
Q the real thoughts of each.
G Clark was sure he had Mr.. Preside