Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-20
BANKERS DOWNFALL.
The Story OF Rochester, N. Y, Bank
Cashier-NOw Porter in ShelbyvilIe,
Ind, Hotel.

The Story OF a Rochester, n. Y, Bank
Cashier-NOw Porter in a ShelbyvilIe.
Ind, Hotel.
C0rresp0ndencs Cincfanasi Enquirer.
One cold night this winter the writer
found himself in the office of the only hotel
in Shelbyville, Ind. AS he sat there by
roaring fire, wondering how he should
pass the long evening, a little, short. fat
man. with brown eyes that seemed to
search your Utmost thoughts, came in.
With the humble air of a mental he stirred
the fire and swept the hearth. Then he
commenced polishing a row of lamps that
were for the use of the guests. | turned
and asked the gentleman opposite me,
quietly smoking a cigar, who this peculiar
person was.
''Well," the stranger began. ''that man
has history. For the past few years he
has been employed as porter in this hotel.
He is finely educated, speaking French
and German like native. About five
years ago he resided in Rochester. N. Y,
and held the trustworthy position of cash.
Ter in one of the leading banks of that
city. He was the happy pOssessOr of a
beautiful home and a rich and devoted
wife; he was cOurted by the best OF soci-
ETY. and looked upon as brilliant and
model man. But. like all the restless,
uncertain world, he was not content with
lessly into speculation, and lost heavily.
One day it came to the knowledge
of the bank authorities like a thun-
derbOlt that their tried ana trusted
cashier had forged the name of his wife
to draft for large amount, and, besides,
had appropriated large sum of money
belonging to the bank, and, like the Arab,
in the dead of night, had folded his tent
and stolen silently away. 1t was after
L. h. 4
the situation growing too warm for his
comfort, in moment of desperation, be
forged his wife's name, obtained the
money, and then fed for sa ETY.. 1t was
at first believed he had sought refuge in
Canada, but after q fruitless search all
hopes of finding hun were abandoned.
About one year ago." continued the
stranger, II CHANGED to stop over at this
town. and was astOnished to find in this
very hotel that same man. He instantly
realized that he was recognized as the
hank defaulter wanted in Rochester.
During the day he sought me ont and his
nervous agitation was terrible. He seemed
to imagine himself already captive, and
most piteOusly begged me to save him. |
quickly assured him | bad no thought of
doing him harm, but. on the contrary.
would be the last person to cause him
trouble. He eagerly inquired regarding
and yet considered it best that he should
know all. So l told him how his wife had
made an application for a divorce, and
only q personal service on him was re-
quired, and the law would make her free.
Without any outward signs of surprise or
emotion he said her wish should I've
gratifed, even at the peril Of his own lib
erty. If the man has suffered he has done
so in the most splendid silence. But
what a wonderful change has come over
him in the past year. His hair, then
black as the raven, is now almost white.
And his whole appearance indicates sad
resignation" When the stranger had
finished his story, l arose to thank him,
and as | turned / saw the subject OF our
conversation quietly but earnestly re-
garding us. His face seemed to have
grown graveI and paler, and as our eyes
met for one moment, all the stern.
naughty look of pride seemed to die away,
and there came an expression over his
cOuntenance of the most hopeless and
helpless despair. Here seemed perfect
example of a ''ruined life."