The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-08-16
Ralston's Start.

Mr.. Ralston in l84S was q clerk on q
Missippi steamboat lie was generous
and poor. One day he went into the
banking house Of Lake & Martin in st.
Louis, and accos,ing Mr.. Martin fa-
miliarly said:
II say, Martin, can't you let me have
$500"
II don't see how we can Billy" said
Mr.. Martin, unless you can give me
some security. Who can you get to in
dorse for your
Ralston scratched his head moment
and admitted that he couldn't give any
security. Said he Martin. the fact
is, I'm broke-dead broke-but / have
got a chance to 60 III with C.. X. Garri-
son down at Panama. and l must have
$500 TO get there"
After a while Mr. Martin decided
that he would lend Mr.. Ralston 5000
Oh his own account aud run the risk of
payment. and giving it to him. Ralston
started down the river to join Commo-
dore Garrison. This was in the yesr
AS.
Did Ralston ever pay Martini"
asked Mr.. G0old.
kalston forgot about it. or else lost
all track of Mr.. Martin in New York.
He WAS broke then himself--all gone
to picces-hadn't u dollar. Rslston
was at this time at the meridian of his
glory, spending money by the millions
Well. one day Martin came up to me
looking very seedy. and asked me if in
my travels in California / had ever met
a man by the name of Billy Rslston." j.
"Billy Ralston =" said l. "B-i-l-l-y
II a-l-stonl Why, know man by the
name Of William c.. Ralston--used to
be with Commodore Garrison in Pana-
ma. 1t was Fritz, Ralston & Garrison
III San Francisco, bur now Rllston is at
the head Of it.
We'll. Mr.. Goold that's the same
Billy Ralston that borrowed $500 of me
down in st. Louis in AS. DO you think
he could pay it back now?"
PAY it back ?" said Mr.. Goold,
why, you are joking. Pay it back
Ralston pay $500! Why, Martin. Rails
ton could pay back 81. 5.OOO. .0OO.'
We'll" said Martin, "when you see
Billy in Frisco. you jess tell him bout
mean if he amt strapped, and if
t'wont break him up, 1 jess wish he'd
pay me that $500"
"The fact.is," said Mr. Goold, a. he
told the story. Il thought Martin was
Joking. had no idea that Ralston
owed him anything. but when got
back to California I thought I'd banter
Ralston about it. SO one day when l
WAS in Ralston's room, said jokingly:
you're a nice fellow, Ralstop. to be
cheating an old friend out Of $500.
ain't you"
"What do you mean z" said Ralston.
"Why. when l was in New York tho
other day, man by the name of Mar
tin
What exclaimed Ralston. jump
lug to his feet, Warwick Martini"
Yes. Warwick Martin"
where's his address Here !" he
shouted to the cashier Of the bank
telegraph 10000 to the credit
Warwick Martin--quick - and Ralst<
danced around like a CRAZY man. -.
The next day." continued -
Gooid. "Wsrwick Martin received a
telegram from Lees & Waller. 81 Pine
street. to call and receive something
deposited to his credit"
by jingo!" said Martin to his wife.
I'm bet Billy has sent me that $500
IL he has. Betty. you can pick out a
new silk dress at Stewards" and then
he hurried off TO Lee Il Waller.
Il called TO see about some aoney."
said Martin. looking through the bank
screen ct Mr.. Lees You say have
some to my credit here"
How much are you expecting and
who from - asked the banker. care
fully, as is the custom with people who
receive money 10y telegraph.
I'm looking for $500 from Billy
Raiston," said Martin.
mo $500 to your credit here" said
said the banker. but there is $40, 600 to
Warwick Martin.
.ren thousand dollars.'
"Yes. 100000"
| "Weli, taint me-" said Martin. sor-
rowfuliy. Its some other Martin. and
'taint from Billy after all. Just my
luek. and Warwick drew his hand
scross bis brow. aud sighed with dissp.
pointment.
III your name is Warwick Martin
Won can take this $4,000" said MI
Lees
BY Jupiter" sAid WArw,ef. as he mar,
rated the incident to Mr.. Goold. 81
didn't think twas smine, but ] thought
of thought of the dress l prom
i.ed her-and then took the money
and snesked home like . culpr't.
handed it TO Betty. bat ! never smiled
for two days. l was so afraid the mis-.
take would be detected Bui when
got letter from Ralston himself. sa,1
Martin, IL tel; you there was ; h'gh '''
celebration in our house.
Did Ralston have great iane's