Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-20
4 Characteristic Anecdote of the Good
Old Honest Banker.
Ne,r York VerJ75

Andrew V. Stout, the wel-knOwn
President of the Shoe and Leather Bank,
who died recently in New York. COM
bined shrewdness with great honesty.
Although Mr.. Stout was the President of
the greatest bank in the metropolis, he
always had time to attend every PRAYER
meeting OF 1t. Pau's Methodist Church.
He was a practical, everyday Christian.
lie had such implicit faith in all men
that he was sometimes imposed
upon. One day before he died Mr.. Stout
laughingly told me the outlines of the fol-
loving true story: \ few mornings since.
when the great banker was coming down
i'm the Broadway cars, he sat in such
confidential proximity to a sympathiZing
pickpOcket that the latter was tempted
into the acceptance Of Mr.. Stout's pocket
book. containing valuable papers and
I $50 in greenbacks. Then the pickpOcket
said good morning to Mr.. Stout and left
Arriving at the bank. Mr.. Stout discov-
cred his loss. He was astOnished that
| he. a shrewd old New Yorker, should
have his pocket picked.
"Pshaw.' he said 70 his Secretary: no
man could ever pick my pocket. | am
too smart for that. No, sir. l should
Just like to see any one pick my pocket,
| shOuldr'
Then Mr.. Stouts lip curled in contemp-
tuous scorn at the bare idea of such silly
imprObability.
But the pOcketboOk. with the money and
valuable papers, was gone. and the next
day Mr.. Stout advertised in the Herald.
He said if the person who took his pocket
book would return the papers he would
give him the money and SO besides.
The next day he got a confidential note
from party who said friend of his had
the pOcketbOOk all safe. and that he would
call at the bank the next day to arrange
the matter.
Il wonder if this man really Will call -
unused the banker as he wiped his eve
glasses and cut of a basketball of cOu-
pOns Il wonder if he will be such
darned fool as that: But then you can't
expect common men to be as shrewd as
bank Presidents"
But, sure enough, the next day the
man was at his post.
well, what about the pOcketbOok -
asked Mr.. Stout.
30 it's all safe, Mr.. Stout. and if you'll
Just 20 with me a few blocks I'll show YOU
the party who has your pOcketboOk, with
al the memoranda, too. It's all safe, Mr..
/ Stout. Come"
/ The stranger had such an honest look
\ that the banker, who always prided him.
/ self on his knowledge OF men, ''tOOk stock
I in him" at once.
"AIl right, my good man, let me get
( some money to pay YOU for your trouble
1 u
/ looking at his $400-watch.
In a few moments they started off to-
I getheT-Mr. Stout and his honest friend
for a Centre-street restaurant. where the
thief or finder was supposed to be.
Now, YOU just wait outside in the
front room a moment, Mr.. Stout, and I'll
20 into the back room and see the man
who has the money and valuable papers" 3"
said the good man as he went into the
back room.
In moment Mr. StOut's friend returned
with the message that his friend wouldn't
I give up the valuable papers in the pocket
book for $2j. - He wants $50 now, SIR
''But l only advertised to give $25 for
I the papers" said Mr.. Stout, with an eye
I TO business. "This is an eXtOrtiOn."
''Weu." said the kindly-loOking
/ stranger, III 20 back and reason with
the gentleman, and try and get the papers
for S25." And he disappeared in the back
room again.
In a moment he returned, smiling.
! "Well, Mr.. Stout, he said, my friend
will take S25, but he wants the money
before he gives up the pOcketbOOk.'
.'All right" said Mr.. Stout, blandly,
..here is S25. Take it TO him, my good
man. take it to him, and bring back the
papers-quick"
zone word, Mr.. Stout said the man
confidentiallY. this thing, you know, is
TO be strictly between ourselves
Yes, yes; Iye said it."
And YOU will never ask any questions,
tell anything. or seek further knowledge,
/ will yOu?'
NO, never; l give you my word as
/ President ofthe Shoe and Leather Bank, my
! good man, not to say anything about it,
not single syllable-not even to my
/ Wife"
/ "AIl right then-mum is the word"
| said Nj. >cOtts friend, as he put his fin
| ger to his lips and passed into the back
/ room with the money.
Mr.. stout waited patiently for his re-
I turn-waited five, ten, fifteen minutes.
/ but, alas. his friend never came back. and
/ the shTewd President returned to the
I bank sad and ruined man. He saws his
7 friend il welcome to the So. but he told
/ his old friend. +. ;. Winston, the Presi-
/ dent of the Mutual Life Insurance Com
panv. that he wouldn't have the story to
| get ints print or around among bis friends
I for 1900.
.sNO. sir. it wouldn't be fair, Mr.. Win
/ stOn. EOuld it?' said Mr.. Stout, ''when l
/ sOIemnly prOmised-the man
( when gave him the s23 never to mention
/ the matter-nOt even TO my wife