The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-03-20

BY MARK TWAIN

Samuel McFadden was a Waterman In a
bank. He was poor, but honest, and his
life without reproach. The trouble with
him was that he felt that he was not appre-
ciated His salary was only four dollars a
week and when he asked to have it raised
the president. cashier, and the board of di-
rectors glared at him through their spec
tacles, and frowned on him, told him 10 90
out and stop his insOlence, when he knew
business was dull, and the bank could not
meet Its expenses now, let alone laVishinR
one dollar on such a miserable worm as
Samuel Nc Fadden. And then Samuel Nc
Fadden felt depressed, sad and the naughty
scorn of the president and cashier cut him
to the soul. He would often 20 into the
side ward, and bow his venerable TWENTY
four inch head, and wept gallons and gal
Ions OF tears over his insIgnifiicance. and
pray that he might be made worthy of the
cashiers and presidents polite attention.
One night happy thought struck him; a
CLEAN OF light burst upon him. and gazing
down the dim vista OF years with his eyes all
blinded with joyous tears. he saw himself
rich and respected. So Samuel McFadden
fooled around and got jimmy, a monkey
wrench, cross-cut saw, a cold chisel, a
a drill, and about a ton Of gun powder and
nitro glyccrine, and those things. Then, in
the dead OF night. he went 70 the fire-proof
safe, and after working at IL for a while, burst
the door and brick into an i'm mortal SIN ash
with such II perfect success that there was
not enough of that safe left to- make a car
pet tack. Mr.. McFadden then proceeded to
load up with coupons, greenbacks, currency
and specie, and nail all the old change that
was lying anywhere, so that he pranced out
of the bank with over a million dollars on
him. He then retired TO an unassuming
residence out of town aud then sent word
TO the detectives where he was.
A detective called on him the next day,
with q soothing note from the cashier. Nc
Fadden treated II with lofty scorn. Detec-
lives called on him every day with humble
notes from the president, cashier, and board
Of directors. At last the bank officers got
up magnificent private supper, to
which Mr.. McFadden was invited He
came, and as the bank officers bowed down
in the dust before him, he pondered we'll
over the bitter past, and his soul was filled
with exultatiOn.
Before he drove away In his carriage that
night, IL was ali fixed that Mr.. McFadden
was TO keep half a million of that money,
and TO be unmolested IL he returned the
other half. he fulfilled his contract like
an honest man, but refused with naughty
disdain the offer Of the cashier 20 marry hfs
daughter. fg
Mac is now honored and respected. He
moves in the best society. He browses
around in purple and fine linen and good
clothes, and enjoys himself first rate. And
often now he takes his infant son on his
knee, and tells him Of hls early life. and in
stills holy principles into his child's mind.
and shows him how, by Industry and per-
sevgTenee, and frugality, and nitro-glycer-
inc, and monkey-wrenchs, and cross-cut
saws, and familKFlty with the detective sys-
tenn, even chs poor may rise 20 Anauenca
and responsibility.