The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-11-17
AN UNLIMITED GUEST,

II was nearly three o'clock on hot
summers day; tho 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 room, I, the manager OF the
Royal Domestic Bank, looked out on
the busy scene with a certain pride md
pleasure. The Royal Domestic is net q
long established institution, and, with.
ont vanity, I may say that much Of It's
prosperity and success is attributable
TO the zeal and experience OF It's mana
ger. In corroboration Of this statement,
l might refer to the last printed Report
OF the directors-laid before the share
holders at their annual mecting-in
which they aro pleased to say But
after all, perhaps 1 might be thought
guilty Of undue cgotism and conceit,
X repeat the iiattering terms in which
they speak Of me.
A clerk puts his head inside my door.
"Mr. Thrapstow, sir, wants to speak to
you.n
Denu MIN ID, lODtrtb, bWu.
Charles Thrapstow I had known from
boyhood. 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
our subsequent intimacy all the
pleasanterto me, and caused me to set
value upon his good opinion greater
than It's intrinsic worth. Thrapstew
was atockbrokor, very clever, push
ing fellow, who had tho reputation OF
possessing an excellent judgment and
great good luck. At my request, lie
had brought his account to our bank.
It was q good account; he always kept
o fair balance, and the cashier had
never to look twice at his checks.
Charlie, like everybody else in bust.
ness, occasionally wanted money. ] had
let him have advances at various times,
OF course amply covered by securities
advances which were always promptly
repaid, and the securities redeemed.
Atthis time he bad five thousandpounds
Of ours, to secure which we held City Of
Damascus Water Company,s bonds to
the nominal value Of ten thousand.
My directors rather demurred to these
bonds, as being somewhat speculative
in nature but as l represented that
the company was highly respectable,
and It's shares well quoted in the mar
ket, and that ! had full confidence in
our customer, our people sanctioned
the advance. ] had perhaps little
uneasy feeling myself about those
bonds, for they were not everybody's
money, and there might have been
some little difficulty in finding Gus.
toner for them in case Of the necessity
for q sudden sails.
Thrapstow came in radiant. He was
good.looking fellow, with o fair beard
and moustache, bright eyes Of blush
gray, nose tilted upwards, giving him
q saucy, resolute Dir. He was always
we'll dressed, the shiniest Of boots, the
most delicate shade OF color in his Light
trousers and gloves, the glossiest Of
blue frockcoats, d neat light dust.coat
over II, blue bird's.eye scarf round
his throat, In which was thrust mas.
HtNN Phai SVhttlhAhb " WV tSHessl e'a&' -
lustre, and yellow as beaten gold. 2
"Well, I've got a customer for those
Damascus bonds waiting Of my office
sold 'em we'll, too-to Billing Brothers,
who want them for an Arab firm. One
premium, and I bought at one dis.
count"
u1'm very glad Of II, Charlie"
said, and I felt real pleased, not only
for Thrapstow's sake, but because
should be glad to get rid Of tho bonds,
and the directors sliruga whenever The
bonds we're mentioned.
Inland 'em over, old fellow, " said
Charlie, "and I'll bring You Bflling't
check up in Eve minutes. You won't
have closed by then or II you have,
mi come in at the private door"
Iwent to tho safe, and put my hand
upon the bonds.
Charlie stood there, looking 90 iranl
and free, helding out his hands for The
bonds, that ! hadn't the heart 10 say tc