Morris tribune., 1883-01-20
ERNEST Asa BANKER,

FOU, HiObltCIi W.T. 4 "SAso -
boy in his bank; zone to come in and
learn the business, and don't you think
he would take me? I am sure | could
please him, and wouldn't it be a nice
place for me?"
Ernest Everett was just bubbling over
with enthusiasm and could scarcely walt
his mothers response, While he stands
swinging his cap I will tell the reader
who he was, and the of his wish to
become a bank clerk.
Ernest, now some Is years of age, was
the oldest of a family of four children
whom his mother wa obliged to care
for and support by n~eedle-work and
such other employment as wal to be OBJ
tanned in the little New England village
where they lived. Whether 10 was
fatherless or not nobody knew. Years
before, his father, never a very thrifty
man, was taken with a western fever
got a sum of money by one
means and another, and departed to seek
his fortune in the prairie lands. From
the day he left home they had never
heard from him, and the hope of his re-
turn had long ago been given up. Mrs.
Everett cared for her children as best
she could, and had striven to give Ern-
est a good education, or rather as good
a. the village schools afforded, reinforced
with much careful teaching by herself,
for she saw that he would not be fitted
by nature for the heavy manual labor
which was most in demand in Dashton.
Thus far he had been able to do little to
| repay his mothers care and to assist her
in the heavy task which she vas patient
ly bearing; but now the school education
which he could hope to receive was
practically accomplished, and he was
overjoyed at the anticipation of securing
| employment more desirable than the
odd jobs he had hitherto been able to
pick up. .-s st4t +".
Mrs. Everett did not share her sons
enthusiasm, for her long years of strug.
| gle had given her a more just impression
of the business world; but she was moi
withou. hope, and she felt sure thatifM Mr.
Parkman only knew how good and man
ly her boy was he would not hesitate to
give him the place. ".'f ~.'- 4" "
"You know, mother, it would be Just
such q place as we have been thinking
about" he urged, as she hesitated fol
what seemed tothe impatient boy a long
time before making answer, - :
"My dear boy" she said, II am afraid
it would be useless for us to ask him fol
the place. Mr.. Parkman is rich, and he
does not care much for poor people,
"He will be more likely to get q bow
from among his friends" =
"But, mother, he has Just pinned ur
a paper on the bank which says, Boy
wanted to learn the business and don't
you suppose he means to take the frs
boy that comesP I'll 90 and ask him
that can't do any liarml" ...E ra.
Scarcely waiting for formal permits
sion, the boy brushed his clothes and
FASTENED to the bank. 81
Propablythose of our readers who arr
accustomed to the luxurious banking es
adjustments of the city would have
shouted in derision at sight of "Park,
mans bank" but the modest institution
which occupied only the front room O
an ordinary wooden house, answered
all the requirements of the business PEG
pie of Dashton and vicinity. Zephalol
Parkman, the one Wealthy mar of the
town, was the sole authority of the bank
for it was established with his none,
alone and he was not the man to invite
others to his councils. But he received
Ernest with a dignified cordially which
gave the boy much encouragement, ant
twirled his glasses pleasantly while tn,
little fellow made known his wish.
$50 this is the widow Everett's boy
and you wish to become a banker?'
Eyes, sir; l think l would like to be
banker, and l want to do something t,
help my mother"
GA very worthy ambition, my boy
very worthy in both directions. Do yol
think you could do the kind ofwork tina
would be required of your"
81 am sure L could learn, sir"
"Some degree of proficiency will b
necessary to start with. Sit down, m.
boy, and let us see how well you hav'
learned your lessons"
Ernest complied, and underwent
sharp examination, which was interrupt
Ell by the entrance of a single patron
apparently a farmer, though Ernest ha'
never seen him before.
He sauntered up to the little counte
and after fumbling in his pockets for
considerable time drew forth a $40 note
asked. been buyin' some butter of
woman back here, and got out O. small
stuff. Can'tnone of'em change nothin'!
He received the desired exchange
and stepping to a window scrutinizet
the bills very slowly and closely. The
he returned to the counter. Ga
''Say, mister" he demanded, lis tina
a good 50 bill? Course it is, or yo
wouldn't give ittom me; but my oversight
pesky poor, and seems so it didn't fee
Jest right, These farmers are mos
darned particular what they take, bu
they allus hev the wo'st lot of old none
you ever see. 1 tell 'em they keepit ii
it's all wor' out, and then they pass it
on mel" -
He received a fresh note in place (
the one objected to, and after scruntinii
ing the entire lot at the other window
the room had only two-he espresso
many thanks and withdrew, after som
inquiries as to the butter trade of til
vicinity. = II. VS. rgga .s.3- .tsfg 4,
H. Ernest's examination was resumed
and after a while Mr.. Parknan e1
pressed his satisfaction with the boy
scholarship. argst LEGa -
"Now there is one thing more b
said, eyeingtheapplicant sharply. "Wh
can you give me for ~reference?" s'' =.
my mother, sir" said Ernest, nc
quite sure as to Mr.. Prakman's meaning
"Well, your mother is a good woman,
returned the banker with a p%atronizin
accent that chilled the listeners arden
h~opes,--"but she will hardly meet tn
financial requirements of the case. q
course l don't reflect on you, my boy
not in the least; but you know this Is
very responsible place, and we frequent
ly handle hundreds of dollars of none
in a day, and the boy who comes her
must have some responsible referenc
to whom we can look in case there shout
be any trouble in his accounts. Perhap
you had not thought of that, and woul'
like to talk it over with your mother"
Eyes, sir; | would" replied Ernest
and with a heart very heavy he s~carcel.
knew why, the boy took leave. ga
The bank was situated at M side o
the little village, almost isolated from
the neighboring dwellings, and to reacl
his home Ernest crossed an adjoinin
meadow the time being autumn and TIL