Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-26
" 4 wish to make a deposit said the

II don't know what Barkor's heart
did; mine leaped for joy.
"'Step to tho other desk, please re-
piled tho paying teller.
"The gentleman did 50, aud laid be,
fore the receiving teller pile of bank
notes, which no said amounted to $780,.
900.
"The clerk referred to Mr.. Barker and
myself 1t was not customary to open
accounts with stranger without some
reference. But Mr.. Jared Pilsen-that
was the name the gentleman gave-look.
cd so respectable, and bis coming, nm
der the circumsta noes, was such god
send, that we felt in no mood to be pune
tilious-especially when Mr. P lsen OK
planned that he intended his deposit to
be in a manner permanent, only EXPECT
ing to draw such occasional sums AZ his
business needs required. The clerk was
directed to receive tho money, which he
counted, and finding tho amount cor
rect, it was duly entered to Mr.. Pilsen's
credit. A few weeks carried rs beyond
dagger, and placed us whore we could
have paid, on demand, every one of our
dopositors, Mr.. Pilsen included.
"Mr. Pilsen drew out, from time to
time, moderate sums which he gave Us
TO invest Oh his account in certain spe-
cited securities; and so judciously did
be select the latter, that before long he
had more than doubled his original CAPT
tai; and his good fortune continuing
he had, at last, over hundred thousand
dollars to his credit on our books. Thon
no drew fvo thousand dollars and went
on trip to Europe for his health,
which seemed failing, leaving the re-
maindcr of his money in our hands.
"rhe house of Badgorly & Barker
waxed stronger daily. Its name ranked
with tho foremost, and fortune smiled
upon its undertaking But at last the
tickle goddess grew tired of smiling and
began to frown. A financial crash came,
and colossal fortunes crumbled into
dust. Rich mon, whose obligations we
held and counted Us good as gold. woke
up to find themselves bankrupt. Such
losses, from day to day repeated, sadly
crippled our resources Men began to
bo distrustful of each other. Our credit
ors, like those of others, became suspi-
ciOns. and ono evening it reached our
ears that run would bo made upon us
the next day.
"With the sum standing to Mr.. Pill
sens credit, could We have counted on
its remaining undisturbed, We might
easily have weathered the storm and
come out all right. But as ill-luck would
have it, we had just received lsttel
announcing Mr.. Pilsen's return, and his
desire for an interviw at nine o'clock
next morning. He must have heard OF
our endorsements, aud doubtless wish
ed to secure himself before tho tempest
broke.
"Poor Barkcrs face was haggard and
CarewOrn when We met in our private
office at an early hour. He had passed
a sleepless night, no doubt; l am cor
tain had. He brought news Of the ar
rest of Stephen Gregg, our absconding
messenger, who had been taken by the
> detectives while paying stolen visit t.
his family after his long absence. Bu
there was poor consolation in the news
for Stephen had como back a tramp il
rags, and there WAS little nse in asking
him what had become of tho $4,000. HI
told the officers he had lost it, aud ha,
run away because he knew his stor.
wouldn't DO believed.
Barker and were anxously dobat
ing whether to open up as usual, ant
pay out while the money lasted, on tn
principle of first come first served o
/ to make everything over for the beneti
of all alike, when Mr.. Pilsen came ant
l was admitted, as we had given direc
ections, by the side door.
8 "He looked pale and worn-was in
deed the mere shadow of himself.
r "T have Gomez he said, taking tn
8 chair offered him, to-
{ "You have come, of course inter
D rupted, to demand your money. W.
I. have no complaints to make, but
"I have come,' he added after a pause
{ to perform an act of restitution. Tire
t years ago found, where it had been los
!, on the street, Il package of twenty-thou
# sand dollars. Your firms name was OF
& tho wrapper. My first impulse was t