Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-02
A Characteristic Anocdote OF an Honest
Bunker.


Andrew V. Stout, the well-known
President of the Shoe & 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 st. Paurs Methodist
Church. He was practical, every
day Christian. He had such implicit
faith i'm all men that he was sometimes
imposed upon. One day before he
died Mr.. Stout laughingly told me the
outlines of the following true story:
A few mornings since, when the
great banker was coming down in the
Broadway cars, he sat in such conf
dental proximity to sympathizing
pickpocket that the latter was tempted
into the acceptance of Mr. Stouts
pocket-book, containing valuable papers
and $3.50 in greenbacks. Then the
pickpocket said good morning TO Mr..
Stout and left. Arriving at the bank,
Mr.. Stout discovered his loss. He was
astonshed that he, shrewd old New
Yorker, should have his pocket picked.
''Pshw!" he said to his secretary;
AiO inth NOulu ONOt Dith my pONhNU
/ should just like to see anyone pick
my pocket, ! should!"
Then Mr.. Stout's lip curled in con-,
temptuous scorn at the bare idea OF
such silly improbability.
But the pocket-book, 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 twenty-five dollars besides.
The next day he got q confidential
note from party who said friend Of
his had the pocket-book all safe, and
that he would call at the bank the next
day to arrange the matter.
II wonder if this man really will
callP" unused the banker as he wiped
his Eyeglasses ard cut off basketful
of coupons. Il wonder if he will be
such fool as that? But then you can't
expect common men to be Us shrcwd rs
bank presidents.
But, sure enough, the next day the
man was at his post.
"Wcll, what about pocket-bookP"
asked Mr.. Stout.
80, it's all safe, Mr.. Stout, and if
you'll just 90 with me few blocks I'll
show you the party who has your
pocket-book, with all the memoranda,
too. It's all safe, Mr.. Stout Gomez
The stranger had such an honest look
that the banker, who always prided
himself on his knowledge of men, "took
stock in him. ut once.
"All right, my good man, let me get
some money to pay you for your trouble
and III be with you," said Mr.. Stout
looking at his Si00-watch.
In few moments they started of to-
gcther-Mr. Stout and his honest friend
for Center Street restaurant, where
the thief or finder was supposed to be.
snow, YOU just wait outside in the front
room moment, Mr.. Stout, and I'll 90
into the back roocn and see the man
who has the money and valuable
papers, said the good man rs he went
into the back room.
In moment Mr.. Stout's friend re-
turned with the message that his friend
wouldn't give up the valuable papers in
the pocket-book for twenty-five dollars.
ale wants fifty dollars, now, sir. y
''But l only advertised to give twenty
five dollars for the papers" said Mr..
Stout, with an eye to business. This
is an eXtortion."
"Well," said the kindly-looking
stranger, "I'll go back and reason with
the gentleman and try and get the pa
Ders for twenty-five dollars" And he
disappeared in the back room again.
In moment he returned, smiling.
"Well, Mr.. Stout" he said, 'my
friend will take twenty-five dollars,
but he wants the money before he gives
up the pocket-book."
"All right" said Mr.. Stout, blandly,
"here is twenty-five dollars. Take il
to him, my good man, take it to him,
and bring back the papcrs-quick!'
Zone word, Mr.. Stout, said the man,
coniidentially, ''this thing, you know,
is to be strictly between ourselves"
eyes, yes; I've said it."
"And you will never ask any ques-
tons, tell anything, or seek further
knowledge, will youP'
mo, never; give you my word, as
President of the Shoe d Leather Bank,
my good man, not to say anything
about it, not a single syllablc-not even
to my wife.
"All right then-mum is the word"
said Mr.. Stout's friend, as he put his
finger to his lips and passed into the
back room with the money.
Mr. Stout waited patiently for his re-
turn-waited five, ten, fifteen minutes,
but alas! his friend never came back,
and the shrewd President returned to
the bank sad and ruined man. He
SAYS his friend is welcome to the
twenty-five dollars, but he told
his old friend, +. s. Win
ston, the President of the Mutual Life
Insurance Company, that he wouldn't
have the story get into print or around
among his friends for $4,000"
mo, sir, it wouldn't be fair, Mr..
Winston, would itp' said Mr.. Stout,
"when promised-solemnly promised
the man when / gave him the twcn-
ty-five dollars never to mention the
matter-not even to my wife. ~ Y.