The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-01-24

of these signs of storm coming from
all quarters. just what it all meant,
he could only guess, but he hit the
truth. So keeping his own counsel,
he quietly shipped two hundred
thousand dollars of specie to the
Savannah branch-with a letter to
the President-who was diricted to
keep his eyes wide open, and his
mouth close shut. Meanwhile, Bro
ker Clark was gathering them in"
and chuckling over the success and
secrecy of his labors. What he did,
he meant should be thorough; and
when he started to squelch the Sa-
vannah branch, he intended to snuff
it all out sure; and so he made no
undue haste, and took no perilous
risk-not he.
One fine, sunny day, at a time of
year unknown to this deponent-on-
ly all sunny days are especially fine
in Savannah strange gentleman
entered the quiet Office of the U. S.
branch Office in Savannah and in
qulred for the President-an occur
ence not unusual. Coming into the
presence of the great man of the
bank, the stranger introduced him
self as ''Mr. Clark, of New York"
Mr.. President courteously clasped
hands with Mr.. Clark, who recipro-
Gated. Seats were now taken, and
the first general chat of such meet
ings ensued. At last something
like the following took place:
''Mr. President, / am broker, and
have some of your notes for which 1
want specie"
Certainly, Mr.. Clark. What
amount have your
"Well, perhaps l have more than
you anticipate"
"Why, what sum is it?"
Every much larger than you usu-
ally have presented, 1 presume"
This catches the ear of Mr.. Presi-
dent, who recalls "Old Nick's" letter
Of instructions, 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 to indulge
in soft inward smile. How little
does the President dream of the
crushing bundle of Savannah notes
now impending over his doomed
bank. With qeoachalance, which
only broker can put on, Mr. Clark
finally replies to Mr.. Presidents in
quiry:
"One hundred and seventy-three
thousand dollars"
Strange to Mr.. Clark the President
never WINGED. With look of some
surprise he said:
"That is a veIy extraordinary sum
Of our notes for even a broker to
have. How came you in possession
of such an amount of Savannah
notes, Mr.. Clarke"
81 don't know that I need to make
any explanation, sir. All 1 ask is
the specie"
81 hope, Mr.. Clark, that this does
not cover any malicious attempt to
injure our bank"
81 repeat, Mr.. President, came
for the specie for these notes, and
would be obliged if you would let
me have it,"
"Oh, certainly. Cashierr
The cashier presents himself, pen
on ear.
"This gentleman says lie has a
hundred and seventy-three thousand
dollars of our notes, for which he
wants specie. Please count his mo-
ney and give him the specie. l sup
pose however, you will prefer drafts
for most of this, Mr.. Clark? How
will you have them-or New York
or Philadelphia? or are you wanting
to place funds in New Orleans?"
81 want the specie"
every well. Drafts on New York
will be specie to you, of course.
What amount of drafts and how
much specie?"
81 want no drafts at all-only spe-
cie.'
"But so much specie will cost you
a large sum for insurance and trans
portation."
"That is my lookout sir"
"Oh. very well. 1 beg your par
don. Give him the specie, Mr. Cash
ier."
Smilingly the polite cashier
receives Mr.. Clarks pile of notes
count thems-- announces the amount
correct, and returning to the back
room calls one or two clerks to the
vaults, and attacks the specie bags.
And now they roll out-the memor-
andum clerk calmly calling out in a
clear voice, give thousand"-"ten
thousand fifteen thousand
twenty-five thousand"-and yet
the kegs rolled out, and the clerk
called aloud the accumulating spe-
Gle.
At first, Mr.. Clark, broker from
New York, admired the cool and ea-
sy way in which the President play
ed his "bluff'' in his heart, Mr..
Clark was sure it was a sheer bluff
There could not be fifteen thousand
dollars of specie in that bank, by
any possibility. And so, when the
after his directions to the
commenced a social chat on
general topics, Mr.. Clark responded
No sign was made by either which
indicated the real thoughts of each,
Clark was sure he had Mr.. Presi
dent foul-and Mr.. President kHeO
Mr.. Clark was hopelessly his vic
tim.
Twenty five thousand" "-called |
the memorandum clerk.
Mr.. Clark talked-but was great
ly surprised, inwardly.
"Forty-five thousand"
Mr.. Clark's talk was not so easy. |
He was little or no talker-or, ra-
5her a good deal-disturbed. Per
laps those kegs did not hold specie.
He didn't believe they did. 1t was
.use of some kind. But there was
IN astonishing air of matter-of-fact
business in the way those kegs rolled
)ut, and in the Omnious voice that
announced, "Sixty five thousand"
And it was provoking to see the
iweet serenity which sat upon the
,ooa Of tho cbottv nrasident He