The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-11
4 Financial Crisis In smithyille.

A Financial Crisis In smithvllle.
A stranger drn, ed in casually at
the Smithville National Bank the other
day, and, pulling out several rolls of
bills, remarked that he would like to
deposit a thousand dollars in green
backs for safe, keeping for a few days.
Smithville is a small railroad town in
the State of 1lliniana, with two hotels,
a church, fifteen saloons, and q black
sm;th.shop.
The pl esident of the institution, who
happened at the moment to be engaged
in looking up change to pay a dollar
and.a-half check that some hoosier had
presented, didn't hear the strangers
remark distinctly at first, ana supp0s-
ing him to be some map-canvasser or
lightning-rod agent, said, without
looking up: CHOW, sir, what is it?'
81 want to deposit a thousand
dollars.''
The president, quickly looking up
eyed the speaker suspiciously, as if
questioning whether be hadn't escaped
from some lunatic asylum. But all
doubts were dispelled by view of the
crisp, new greenbacks which the
stranger held in hi hand. There was
no mistake about it. The money was
passed over. counted, found correct,
and presently the new depositor STEP
ped out with the banks receipt III his
pocket.
An earthquake couldn have created
a greater excitement in Smithville.
The president told the cashier, who
came in a few moments afterwards,
and the two decided that so momen.
tops an occurrence fully justified call
ing meeting of the directors immedi-
ately. Accordingly, they assembled
that afternoon in the Darkroom.
There was Squire Bobbins, and Col.
Redeye, and Judge Jones, and Farmer
Tattersall, and half-a.dozen other old
cod9ers, who had been summoned
from their homes, to decide how this
enormous and unsupported accession
to the bank funds should be disposed
OF. A brief speech from the presi-
dent, giving all the particulars of the
astounding occurrence, even down to
the color of the visitors pants, opened
the discussion.
''I'll take $500 Of it on a mortg age
on my house and lot put it in Col.
Redeye, promptly.
"Give me the t'other $780, squeak
ed Squire Bobbins s'I've got good
collateral.''
''Stop, gent!emon,'' said Judge
Jones, blandly; "5le largest bidder
should have the pre- 'erence. I would
like to take 500 of it for one year, at
ten per cent
''There's a written proposal from
Old Drinkwater, the tavern.keeper,
said the President, Ito take the whole
thousand at that rate, and give mort
gage on his hotel besides. It's all
over town by this time.''
"Mrs. Smiler, the milliner, called
out to meas came by just now.' said
Mr.. Tattersall, ''to ask me if wouldn't
ask the bank to lend her $780,
GIVE had three applications for diff
ferent amounts since this noon,' said
Judge Jones, looking serious.
''Gent!emen, said the president,
''this unexpected emergency which
has arisen calls for some financial
thought and study. Suppose that we
adjourn this meeting over until to-
morrow for futher deliberations
Just then the cashier put his head
in the door and beckoned to the pres
ident, who rose and followed him out.
There stood the strange depositor. He
had in his hand check, which he has
just drawn for ST., 900. He explained
that an opportunity, which had unex-
pectedly arisen for an advantageous
transaction in mules, must be his apol-
ogy for thus suddenly withdrawing his
deposit. He walked out shortly after,
with a laugh in his sleeve and his
money in his pocket. The directors
Of the Smithville National Bank, after
a stormy session of two hours longer,
adjourned and have never had a meet
ing since.
81, ip1rfn