Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-28
NO. 2s2
Gales and Sketthes.
STORIES FROM A BANK COUNTER.
TWO ECCENTRIC DEPosIToRs.

during my twenty years experience as
cashier of a large London bank, | have
come across many strange events, and
stranger people, upon whose histories it is
interesting to look back.
propose on this occasion to relate to
the reader two little episodes of my ex-
pelience. showing the curious kind of
people who sometimes come forward TO
deposit their money, in response to the
banks advertisement.
One day, some years ago, a rough look
ing man, of singular appearance. came
slouchng into the bank. and walking up
to my desk, took off his nat respectfully,
and held it in his hand. Now it is "a strange
fact, that it is not usual in London for
anyone to take off his hat in entering a
bank, although believe it is done in some
country banks; SO | looked at the man
with some suspicion, expecting to hear a
pitiful story, with a pathetic appeal for
assistance. He was dressed in ill-fitting
black clothes; black silk handkerchief
was wound around his neck in many folds,
no shrt-collar being visible. His hands
looked rough and horny, like those OF a
laboring man. No trace of whskers ap-
peared on his well-shaven face, and a GER
tain good-natured expression which it
He was apparently about sixty; his hair
was quite gray, and was arranged upon
each of his temples in those strong circu-
lar curls, which are vulgarly know as
"Newgate Knockers" Altogether, he
had most unprepossessing appearance,
something like you would expect to see in
a retired burglar. He stood hat in hand,
before my desk, respectfully waiting un-
Ill should be disengaged. lie then said
apologetically:
Beg your pardon, sir, but could speak
to you for few minutes"
| replied, of course, that | was at his
service, whereupon he seemed to become
confused, shifted from foot to foot, and
twirled his hat nervously. He had evil
dently something to say, but did not
know how to begin.
You see, sir,n he said at last, "rve
just come back to England from Australia.
I've got little bit of money as l don't
know what to do with, not being scol-
lard; so thought I'd come in and ask
your advice, sir, and whether you'd take
care OF it for me"
made no reply, but waited The first
appearance OF the man had aronsed my
suspicious and these were increased when
he produced from mysterious pocket a
very dirty leather bag, tied with a string.
He opened it, and handed over to me
packet, consisting OF bank-notes and new
Australian soverelgns, amounting to two
thousand pounds He then produced out
of an old pocket-book document, which
proved to be draft upon the London
branch OF one of the largest Australian
banks for five thousand pounds.
In reply to my question, he told me
that his name was Ebenezer Knott-he
showed a noble indifference to the SPELL
ing-and verified his assertion by showing
me All envelope addressed to him in that
name. He informed me that he had been
in Australia for more than twenty years,
having gone ont there at the great gold
period to seek his fortune. He had for
meriy been "coster" in London, he
said and thought he should be as well
able to rough it in tn "bush," as would
many gentlemen who were going out
there at the time. Anyhow, he was
strong, and was not afraid OF work. He
did not inform me in what way he had
conuived to pay his passage out-he
seemed disincllned to speak about it. |
have my suspicious on the subject, but |
shall probably be safe in asserting his en-
igration was assisted" His success was
not great at the dlggngs; "a lot of hard
work." he informed me, land standing in
II river all day. and only getting as much
as paid your way. We didn't find no big
nuggets; me and my pal was glad to get
a little dust, but sometimes the "swells'
used to manage to find some good ones"
The gang was soon broken up, and
Knott next started IA spirit store at SCOTS
Rush. The store became the resort of
some OF the richest men OF the place, who
used it as kind OF exchange or club.
BY degrees knott's Store grew into knotts
Hotel, which Mrs. Knott managed with
great skill and success. Ebenezer had
now reached the height OF his ambition,
and he was happy. His wealth had n-
creased without his care or effort, every
thing he bought seemed immediately to
increase in value. But at this tune a
great blow came, which nearly broke his
heart. A maligant fever broke out at
SCOTS Rush. and Mrs. Knott fell victim
to it. Poor Ebenezer was disconsolate.
COR he was now LETT altogether alone in
the world. lie hated the place which had
been the scene Ut SO great misery to
him, although it had been also that OF all
his fortune. lie conceived an intense
learning to return to the old country. and
longed TO fad himself once more among
the old familiar faces and streets OF Lon
don. He therefore determined TO realize
his property, and return with it to Eng
land; mot as Il gentleman, you know,
sir, he added apologelically, "but in
order to see my native land again, and,
perhaps. be able to help some OF my old
pals who have not been SO fortunate in
life."
There was something so genuine in
the tone and manner id which this nara.
live was told me, that could not refuse
10 give it at least a partial credence.
therefore opened deposit account in his
lame,, and received from him seven
thousand ounds. 1t was difficulty that
le could neither read nor write, although
ne informed me with certain air of~tri-
lmph, that he could make a cross (which
t would lick anybody to copy He there
ore signed his mark in the signature
book with great many intricate -four
shes. back strokes and dots, which quite
justified his description of IL, and pro-