Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-27
NO. 2s2.
From Chambers journal.
An UNLIMITED GUEST.

1t was nearly three o'clock on hot
summers day; the long polished counters
OF our bank, the Royal Domestic Bank,
were crowded with customers-mCney
was flowing out in the usual business-like
manner. ~ .s-sss .s.s
From raised desk in my private room,
!, the manager of the Royal Domestic
Bank, looked out on the busy scene with
certain pride and pleasure. The Royal
Domestic is not a long established institu-
ton, and, without vanity, may say that
much OF its prosperity and success is at
tributable to the zeal and experience Of
It's manager. In corroboI alton of this
statement, might refer to the last printed
report of the directors, 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 flatteriDg terms in which they speak
OF me.
A clerk put his head inside my door.
MIR. Young. sir. to speak to you."
''Send him in. Roberts," said.
Charles Young had known from boy
hood 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 subse-
quent intimacy all the pleasanter to me.
and caused me TO set value upon bis
good opinion greater than its intrinsic
worth. Young was a stockbroker, very
clever, pushing fellow, who had the repu-
tation OF possessing an excellent judg-
ment and great good luck. At my re-
quest, he had brought his account to our
bank. 1t was good account; he always
kept fair balance, and the cashier had
never to look twice at his checks.
Charlie, like every body else in busi-
ness, occasionally wanted money. had
let him have advances at various times, of
course amply covered by securities, ad-
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 Da-
mascus Water company's bonds TO the
nominal value of ten thousand. My di-
rectors rather domurred 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 market, and that had full
confidence in our customer, our people
sanctioned the advance. l 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 a customer for
them in case of the necessity for sudden
sale.
Young came in radiant. He was
good-looking fellow, with fair beard and
moustache, bright eyes of blush gray.
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 trousers and gloves,
the glossiest Of blue frock.coats, . neat
light duster over it, a blue birds eye scarf
round his throat, in which was thrust =
massive pin, containing a fine topaz full Of
lustre. 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, who
want them for an Arab firm. One pre-
MUM, and bought at one discounts"
I'm very glad Of it. Charlie,'I said,
and felt really pleased. not only for
Youngs sake. but because | should be
glad to get rid of the bonds, and the di-
rectors' shrugs whenever they were men,
toned
Hand 'em over, old fellow" said
Charlie, land I'll bring you up Billings
check in five minutes. You won't have
closed by then or if you have, I'll come
in at the private door," / went to the
safe, and put my hands upon the bonds.
Charlie stood there looking so frank and
free, holding out his hand for the bonds.
that hadn't the heart to say to him, as l
ought to have done. Bring your custom
er here, and let him settle for the bonds,
nd ha, I I oLn
said this to any body else, but some how
couldn't say it to Charlie. There would
be five minutes risk, and surely it was no
risk at all.
The thing was done in a moment l
was carried away by Youngs irresistible
manner. handed over the bonds and
Charlie went off like shot.
1t wanted seven minutes to three, and l
sat watching the hands Of the clock in
| little tremor, despite my full confidence
in Young: but then | had so thorough
knowledge of all the rules OF banking,
that couldn't help feeling that had
done wrong. A few minutes, however.
and glittering topaz would soon put in an
appearance.
Just at minute to three the cashier
| DIouSut uc tulcC SHethS, VIII q Ittio oA'P
of paper attached. They were Young's
checks, for fifteen hundred-twelve hun.
dred and three hundred aud three hum
dred respeelively, and his balance was
only five hundred odd. s.
turned white and cold. .'Of course
YOU must refuse them," | said to the
cashier.
When he went out, | sat in my chair
quite still for a few moments, bewildered
1T the sudden misfortune that had happen.
ed TO me. Charles Young was clearly
defaulter; but there was one chance-he
might have given the checks in the conf
dence Of selling those bonds, and placing
the balance to his account. In due course,
these checks, which were crossed, would
have leen brought to the clearinghouse.
and have been presented on the morrow
But it seemed that his creditors had some
mistrust OF him, and had caused tho
checks to be demanded out Of due course.
The clock struck three. Charles had
not come back. The bank doors closed
with clank. Icould endure the suspense
no longer. Telling the bank porter, that
! IL Mr. YOunU cama ha xras IN ha odu,i afl