Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-11-13
AN UNLIMITED GUEST.

IT was nearly three o'clock on hot
summers day; the longpolished counters
Of our bank-the Royal Domestic Bank
were crowded with customers; money
was flowing in and running out in the
usual business-like manner. From a
raised desk in my private room, |, the
manager of the Royal Domestic Bank,
looked out ON the busy scene with GER
tain pride and pleasure. The Royal Do
nestle is not ng-established institu-
ton, and, without vanity, l may say
that much of its prosperity is attributable
to the zeal and experience of its manager.
IncorroboratiOn of this statement, might
refer to the last printed Report of the di-
rectors, laid before the shareholders at
their annual meeting, in which they are
pleased to say But after ALL perhaps |
may be thought guilty of undue egotism
and conceit, if l repeat the flattering
terms in which they speak of me.
A clerk put his head inside my door.
Mr. Thrapstow, sir, to speak to you"
"Send him in, Roberts," | said.
Charles ThrapstOw, had known from
boyhOod; we had both been reared in the
same country town. The fact that his
parents were of considerably higher So
cial status than mine perhaps made our
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, a
very clever, pushing fellow, who had the
reputation of possessing excellent judg'
ment and great good luck. Atmy request,
he had brought his account to our bank.
1t was good account; he always kept a
fair balance, and the cashier had never to
look twice at his checks.
Charlie, like everybody else in business,
occasionally wanted money. l had let
him have advances at various times, OF
course amply covered by securities, adj
vances which were always promptly re-
paid, and the securities redeemed. AT
this time, he had five thousand pounds OF
ours, to secure which we held City OF
Damascus Water company's bonds to the
nominal value of ten thousand. My di-
rectors rather demurred to these bonds,
as being somewhat speculative in nature
but as / represented that the Company
was highly respectable, and Its
shares well quoted in the mar
ket, and that / had full con-
fidence in our customer, our people sane
toned the advance. had perhaps little
uneasy feeling myself about those bonds,
wi lhcy WcIc uOL CNCIy Douy . hiohts oiN'
there might have been some little diff
Guilty in finding customer for them in
case OF the necessity for sudden sale.
Thrapstow came in radiant. He was a
good-looking fellow, with fair beard and
moustache, bright eyes OF blush gray, a
nose tilted upwards giving him a saucy,
resolute air; he was always well dressed,
the shiniest of boots, the most delicate
shade of color in his light trowsers and
gloves, the glossiest of blue frock-cOats, a
neat light dust-coat over it, blue birds
eye scarf round his throat, in which was
thrust a massive pin, containing fine
topaz, full of luster, and yellow as beaten
gold.
well, I've got customer for those
Damascus bonds waiting at my office;
sold 'em well, too - to Billings Brothers,
premium, and bought at one discount
Pm very glad of it, Charlie" ! said,
and felt really pleased, not only for
Thrapstow's sake, but because should
be glad to get rid of the bonds, and the
directors shrugs whenever they were
mentioned.
"Hand 'em over, old fellow" said
Charlie, land I'll bring you Billings's
check up in five minutes. You won,
have closed by then; or if you have, I'll
come in at the private door"
went to the safe, and put my hand
upon the bonds.
Charlie stood there looking SO frank
and free, holding out his hand for the
bonds, that I hadn't the heart to say to
him, as ought to have done, "BrIng your
customer here, and let him settle for the