New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-25

ample capital furnished by the younger
men, was founded, not SO much for the
accommodation of the thrifty poor as for
the personal advantage of the two emf
nently honest, quiet and respectable old
gentlemen, who, drawing modest $500
to $500 a year, could manage matters
quite satisfactorily for the Fountain Saw
ings Bank, the stockholders, the depos-
itors and themselves. As economy was a
paramount consideration, no extra clerks
we're to be hired. The two old gentlemen
were to act as cashiers, treasurers, book
keepers. entry clerks and general account
ants.
Matters went on quite pleasantly. o.
casional deposits came in, which were in.
creased, and the old gentlemen, cultivat-
ing the neighborhood, warmed up with
the work, and conscientiously did their
duty when they advocated thrift and
economy. IN fact, the results were quite
satisfactory, and the old gentlemen. for q
certain time, were never happier in their
lives than when managing the Fountain.
One day there louDged in quiet look
ing man, certainly a mechanic, and Of the
better class. too. The mans clothes were
decent, trifie worn, and he had on a COL
ored shirt. There might have been just a
curl Of wood shaving mixed with his hair,
and from the brim of his hat as he took it
of, there fell little shower Of sawdust.
In fact, he smelt of yellow pine. and was,
to all intents and purposes, carpenter.
''He was not rich man" he said,
"only able to save scrap here and there.
Careful wife, Nothing like that, but a
growing family. Good boss and all that.
and fair wages. What the boss paid him,
on pinch, might keep them all. but was
doing fair stroke of night work. Wasn't
a spreer. Took his drink sometimes. when
he wanted to; but not habitual. The gen.
tlemen in the bank knew that q little
never did any harm. Yes, he thought
they were sensible. Well. passing along
he went by the Fountain Savings every
blessed day-thought he would drop in.
Was it only six per cent they gave? That
wasn't enough. Wasn't business man
much. but had heard that money was
worth as much as that by the sin
gle month over in New York. What
did they do with their money? Well,
bond ana mortgage was safe. Would
they let him have a statement? Didn't
cAHcCt uc WOulu uuucIbAuu uuCu, Dut
the old woman and the boss would, and
he would carry it home. Liked the look
Of the Fountain. Was plain man him
self, and though he would be glad enough
himself to build the insides Of some of
those savings banks, with their rosewood
holdings and headings and that sort OF
thing, didn't believe it helped concern
much. Would do for hotel or barber
shop, but he went in for what was plain,
he did, and he would bid them good
and he might or might not call
again"
A week afterward he did call, accompa-
MED by friend, and the two old gentle
men felt sure of opening new account
ats the boss. He believes in savings
banks, and he and the old woman says
they think you are safe-they do" said
the carpenter. ''Pity you hadn't thought
OF it before, Hosea" said the boss
''though ANITA bit better off nor you.
What 1 have got is some mighty sorry
houses had to take 'em for a mechanics
lien. Hang me, if workmen amt better
off now than the bosses. If this here
Hosea does make a deposit or so, and a
fellow wanted just little mortgage on a
fair house-first mortgage, mind you
you wouldn't mind obliging man, would
your Of course / know that's a matter
the directors usually looks to. Hosea,
you amt got a circular, have you? Left
it at home? Well, then, let me have
another. Hosea, put your money in at |
once. and that's my advice" and having
given his views asking for a circular. the
boss ceased speaking.
The iourneyman carpenter hauled out a
wallet and counted out slowly, one, two.
five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty dollars
most of it one-dollar bills, and great deal |
Of it in fractional currency and some five |
cent pieces. Some of the small bills fell |
IN the floor. Now the obliging cashier
made it seventy-fve cents too little, and |
low it was fifty cents too much. In the |
Meantime the other old employe was look
ng up circular. He wanted fresh one, |
With peas green cover, for Hosea's boss.
1t last the count was made correct, pass
,ook was brought, and the big book for
ignatures was graced with Hosea's sigma
ure after quite an amount of labor and
dot. The circular of the Fountain Savings
Bank, with the pea-green cover, was then
politely handed to Hosea's boss, and they
eft, as did at the same time certain tin
ox, containing exactly $40, 600 in United
'tates bonds, the property of the before
Mentioned Fountain Savings Bank of
'empleton.
How it was done no one ever knew, and
o one will ever pretend to know. All the
Id gentlemen knew about it was that
hen the days labors were over, some
We hours afterward, when they went to
'ck ur the safe, the black lacquer box
as gone! I
Police Detectives
OF course they were pu. to it straight.
nd they moused over it, and ferreted at
/, and got on trail which they declared
strong as cable, which twisted itself
ito two trails. then into three, and then
ito thousand, each strand Of which !
lrned out to be as flimsy as a cobweb.
nd would not stand any tension. Then
lie Fountain Savings Bank directors. with
uch good sense and no small expeudi-
Ire OF money. gave the detectives no.
Queensby was one of the directors of
le Fountain, and though the loss Of the
TO- 600 never worried him at all. as the
ountain was perfectly solvent. and if
he could have made up any de-
cheney in their capital in five minutes,
evertheless Queensby was curious to
now how the trick was done. Being Of
persistent and obstinate ma
ire. he thought it over for months. and
zen was forced to give it up.
Some ninety days after the robbery
ueensby was in the Corridor Hotel, in
ew York. He had an engagement with ,
capitalist. and was waiting for him.
resently gentleman came toward him,
oked him straight in the face, and said:
care you not Joseph Queensby?'
81 am, )" was the reply.