National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-11-14
AN UNLIMITED GUEST.

1t was nearly three o'clock on hot
summers day the long polished coun-
ters Of our bank were crowded with
customers; money was flowing in and
running ont in the usual business like
manner. From a raised desk in my
private iuunI, /, tho manager of tho
Royal Domestic Bank, looked out on
the busy scene with certain pride and
pleasure. The Royal Domestic is not
long established institution, and, with
ont vanity, may say that much of its
prosperity and success is attributable
to the zeal and experience of its mana
ger. Ia corroboration ofthis statement,
| might refer to the last printed Report
of the directors-laid before the share
holders at their annual meeting-in
which they are pleased to say But
after all, perhaps l might be thought
guilty of Endue cgotism and csnceit,
if | repeat the fattering terms in which
they speak of me.
A clerk puts his head inside my door.
"Mr. Thrapstow, sir, wants to speak to
you.
Send him in, Roberts," / said.
Charles Ihrapstow had known from
hoyhood. We had both been reared in
the same country town. The fact that
his parents were of considerable higher
social status than mine, perhaps made
onr subsequent intimacy all the
pleasanter to me, and caused me to set
value upon his good opinion greater
than its intrinsic worth. Thrapstow
was stockbroker, very clever, push
ing fellow who had the reputation Of
possessing an excellent Judgment and
great good luck. At my request, he
had brought his account to our bank.
1T was good account he always kept
fair balance, and the cashier had
never to look twice at his checks.
Charlie, like everybody else in busi-
ness, occasionally wanted money. I had
let him have advances at various times,
OF course amply covered by securities-
advances which were always promptly
repaid, and the securities redeemed.
Atthls time he had five thousand pounds
81 ours, to secure which we held City of
Damascus Water Company's bonds to
tae nominal value Of ten thousand.
NY directors rather demurred to these
ponds, as being somewhat speculative
IN nature but MS | represented that
the company was highly respectable,
ana Its shares well quoted in the mar
ket and tsat | had full confidence in
uur customer, our people sanctioned
'ue advance. ] had perhaps little
uneasy feeling myself about those
oonds, for they were not everybody's
money and there Ii. hit have been
some little difficulty III finding GUS
oner Tor them in case of the necessity
lor sudden sala.
lhrapstow came in radiant. He was
egood-looking fellow, with fair beard
aus moustache, bright eyes of blush
gray nose tilted upwards, giving him
sancy, resolute air He was always
wen dressed, the shiniest of boots, the
,loS' delicate shade of color in his light
tn,ousers t, and gloves, the glossiest of
@ o.ue lrockcoats, neat light dust-coat
IIver 1t, blue bird's-eye scarf round
las throat, in which was thrust mas
1--WE pm, containing fine topaz, full of
i"stre. and yellow as beaten gold.
n We'll, I've got customer fo those
"a D3inascus bonds waiting at my office (;
s0id EN- well, toto Billing Brothers,
VINO want them for an Arab firm. One !
count"
m very glad of it, Charlie" /
so so.o; @ and felt real pleased, not only |
sb1 l i1rapstow's sake, but because l
n9uia an9 be glad to get rid of the bonds,
hnhe nu ,he directors shrugs whenever the
oonds were mentioned.
m. hand EN- over, old fellow" said
Jbnarlle, and I'll bring you Billings |
lneck up in five minutes. You won't |
TTTe Tn closed by then or if you have,
come IN at the private door"
rnor went en- to the safe, and put my hand
upon the bonds.
and SSIarlie stood there, looking so frank |
houree hslding out his hands for the |
-us' that haal't the heart to say to |