Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-11-17
IN WASHIN GTON--AND OUT.

business interests all over the country /
Frustrated as they now are; but so it has
proved, and the end is not yet.
was in Washington the third day
after their suspension, when the excite |
ment ran the highest it has probably
done at all in that city. 1t was my first
introduction to panic-stricken commun-
ity, and | soon found that the excitement |
was as contagious as small pox. Locked |
up in two of the banks of that city were
the earnings of three years, and was
bent on securing them if such thing
were possible; so hurried to the doors
Of one bank. pushed my way along with
the crowd, presented a sight check for
"balance DUE and was politely inform
ed it would be cashed in thirty days. l
protested, and was told it was rule
they had decided to adopt, and could not
be violated. Thirty days looked like
long while to live in doubt, but what
was my voice compared to the powers
behind the counter AS turned away
my eye met pale faces and tear-stained
checks women with care-worn looks,
and old men with white hairs, the drops
of perspiration standing on their anxious
faces. 1 almost forgot my own anxiety
in sympathy for them. But had other
work to do, and so, with a lawyer to aid
me, (for l knew the odds were against
me) l went to place known as the
Safe Deposit Company, where, for a COM
pensation, they take valuables of any
kind and keep them in safety till called
for by the person depositiaag tbene Just
those last four words were the trouble.
This company held for my family a small
tin trunk that contained certificates of
deposit on bank in the city for over
three thousand dollars If 1 could un-
lock the trunk and get them l could at
once secure the money, but without them
1 could accomplish nothing at all; but
[ did not deposit the trunk and had no
power of attorney from the person who
did, Notwithstanding I urged that large
portion of the contents were my own, I
could not be permitted to open it, My
lawyer offered to give bond in any amount
for the security of the company, but all
with no effect, Fit was put there for
safe-keeping" and evidently they wanted
to keep it safe, and verify went away
sorrowing. Going down the steps 1 met
and aged and decrepid woman, her face
full of anguish. and as stopped to
let her pass she lifted her eyes to mine,
and, seeing the look of interest l could
but manifest, exclaimed, 'Is it true that
the First National Bank won't pay me
my money sToo true, [ fear," | an
swered. Tears fell from her faded eyes,
and clasping her hands, in agonized tones
she said: ''Oh, what shall do My all
''was there, and | am all alone in this
''pitiless world
Out on the streets men and women
were hurrying to and fro, only stopping
row and then to ask if there was any
thing new from financial quarters
Everything was done quietly, but with
manner that betrayed intense feeling
Going into the Treasury building, l sa
down where | could command view o
the bank on which l held certificates
or rather the Safety Deposit Compan.
, held them for me-and it wasn't at al
re-assuring to see people focking in a
fast as admittance could be had, for VIII
could tell how long it could stand tn
r run /? Some say people should not with
draw their funds on deposit if they d
not desire to hurry on panic. Granted
but suppose you have worked hard
number of years, and all you have save
is in that bank across the way; wouldn
!, our philosophical adviser be very likel
to conclude he had little rather nj
run too great risk? When ones balan(
! at the bank is only small amount con
- pared with the whole of his property,
=, :. can practice magnanimity without
= much mental anxiety as that man who
= all is imperiled, and who knows TIL
wife and little ones must suffer if it
- lost
Nv In nearly every room [ entered in Il
H. Treasury there was some one or more w
IT. had lost heavily. All seemed to wo
~ as if thoughts were on anything but t
rs work in hand, and at the merest allusi
ID to the troubles, every pen stopped al
&C. every head turned to listen. ''Heads
,er Department forgot their "official digl
on ty" in common anxiety, and even Secl
,st tary Richardson was ready with inform
he ton and sympathy, Notwithstanding,
.ba a reporter said of him, sit was none
ION his funeral" So found it eVerywhe
itb General Creswell, always quick, brusq'
ain and in a hurry, had plenty of time IL
mo day, and was as interested as any o.
to News had just arrived Of the suspense
&c of the Onion and Trust Co., of N.
,ot and the fear of universal panic incre
ed. saw one man, prominent you
the lawyer of Washington, presented with
= ILL for Tho inrit tinns to his Weddi