The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-01-15

showed me the sights. and finally entered
with some kindness and a good deal of inter-
nal amusement into what he called my case.
mentioned the existence of small box or
casket; but thought it best not to enter upon
the nature of the precious contnets.
asked questions about the character of
the defunct house of the Godson bankers
with as much anxiety as if l were about to
entrust my little all into their keeping.
asked whether this valuable casket might
not easily have disappeared in the process of
their fitting between London and Rotterdam.
But of this he would not hear a word
They were the most careful and honorable
bankers that had ever existed. Their name
was still tradition in Rotterdam.
"Of course" said NJ. Boudet, s'bankers are
like other people, and want to get all they can
for themselves. Unclaimed property in their
hands will eventually come to them, and this
is kind of loot that does not often happen
to them, although of course it has very profit
ably happened to them on various occasion.
But they are not anxious for any such loot,
and no deposit would be parted with so long
as there was the faintest chance in the world
of its being claimed. The great Thelusson
banking-bouse was a remarkable case, They
held great deal of property belonging to the
French noblesse; but good many of them
had their heads taken off and were unable to
claim their own. For years and years their
accounts were never closed. But the French
revolution is modern date. The e. gish re-
volution belongs to ancient history. But !
can explain every thingto you. The Godson
Company stopped in Rotterdam for a long
time. They would have gone back, but your
Queen Anne came to the throne and that re-
vived the hopes of the -Pretenders. When
things seemed firmly established under the
House of Hanover they went back. But
after time there was failure of anv direct
representative of the family, aud the last
member of the family transferred the business
to the we'll known house of the Stukeleys.
They are now London agents and correspon-
dents; and | will, if you like, give YOU letter
If introduction to them. They will at least
be able to assure you that your casket has
been eaten all up.''
was rather ''divided in my swift mind,
as to whether l would call ON the head of the
firm of Stukeley at the bank or at his rivate
residence at Hghgate. 1t seemed to me, how
ever, that he might take it as more friendly
and sociable if l did the latter. Iconsidered
that might safely call between eight and
nine OF summer evening, when man is
supposed to have had his dinner and to be
readyfo chat. He read his correspondents
letter with an expression of amused interest,
and was very courteous. When we parted
he put his hand on my shoulder and said /:
"Of course, you know, Mr.. Leslie, that
even if we find the casket of which do not
think there is the slightest chance after this
lapse of time, the representatives of the
owner have not smallest legal claim upon
me. Still, that is nothing at all. We are
| not likely to plead the statute. 1t is very
curious history certainly; but such history
| only gets prosperous denouement in fic-
| ton. However, if you like to give me call
in the city, in about weeks time, shall
| probably be able to find some trace of the
transaction. confess that should like to
verify that extraordinary letter of which you
have been speaking"
| In weeks time I went back to the bank
er. was shown into the bank parlor, an
innermost shrine, which had hitherto only
| contemplated from afar with feelings of the
| deepest reverence.
"Well, Mr.. Leslie,' exclaimed the bank
er, with his CHEEKY voice, 81 am quite ready
for you. Our Mr.. Watkins has spent most
OF three days in going through the books
Ihere certainly were transactions between
the firm of the Godsons and Mr. Delorme.
But ages ago-literally speaking, ages ago
the business was concluded
Here is the final entry: Account closed
All papers destroyed However, by other
books, fled that there really was trifine
balance due to Mr. Henry Delorme, some fit.
teen pounds, and if the family think it worth
their while to claim it, on their giving the
proper proofs, we shall be happy to pay il
over to them.
was very much struck with the old bank.
er's way of looking at things. If may be
excused something that sounds philosophy
cal, would say that he brought very wildly
before me the continuity of the ages. He
looked at his business in its historic unity
Anything that affected the credit of his
house was as dear to him if it happened two
hundred years ago as if it happened only two
days ago. Then his statement afforded re-
markable confederation to Henry Delorme's
letter. II WILDE remembered that his let
ter inferred that his balance was very low
and that he was going to put money in and
not draw any out.
Mr. Stukely showed me very old, very
worn volume where the words he had quot
ed were still legi5le in faded red letters.
And SO am afraid there is no hope fol
you," said the banker. ''You see there is nc
mention OF any snch casket as that to which
| you refer.