The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-11

offended. Here, he reasoned, was a wicked at
tempt to keep him out of the money which Mr..
Goldcraft had of course sent through the Will
kins channel
NO amt going to wait no few days." he
said, Indignantly. Bargains is bargains. You
SAID pay on the NALL you pay on the nail accord
ing. What nd old man Goldcraft say if you
was to keep me out of this money!
"Confound you" cried Wilkins, angrily. "You
don't imagine that if Mr.. Goldcraft had
But he stopped He could not explain to
Bradder
Send the cabinet up at once by express" he
concluded
Two days afterward, when the mail brought
no letter from Mr. Goldcraft, the Wilkinses
looked extremely blank. Next day, when the
story was repeated, Jane burst out crying:
There's only half dollar left in my purse"
she said. land | can't go and say to that grocer
that we want credit again. We need ever so
many things, too bate to go into debt at the
stores again.
Don't do it, either" answered Frederick. Il
will look out and borrow some money Come
down to the bank about noon and | shall have
some"
Fred! You won't borrow from your cash.
she exclaimed in horror.
No l suppose I'm fool not to; the other
fellows all do when they want little money for
few days But it's against my principles. No,
III borrow from some fellow. There's one I've
often lent to; if | can only find him! 1t wontb be
like going into debt again-especally as Mr..
Goldcraft owes me money"
80 the matter was arranged. Jane wilkins
went on dealing with her grocer and butcher, and
baker, and candle stick maker in the nrm man
ner which becomes cash customer. and moth
ing came from Mr.. Goldcraft except his wlfes
note Of admiration for the cabinet, and hisre
newal of the promise to look after Mr. Wilkins's
interest in the matter of the accountants place.
II.
ho 6iroo4 &c %loT och ponl nri6a al
themselves particularly on attending 20 the
mlnutiip of its business, which meant that the
manager was accustomed to ask the boards APP
prevail in all sorts of unmportant matters, and
the board in important affairs, was accustomed
to follow his advice, which he always took
to be approved by Mr.. Goldcraft beforehand In
the making of appointments the tradition of the
board was to be singularly cautious, to review
the career OF each official up for promotion, and
to keep ruthlessly down every empoye whose
habits We're not absolutely above suspicion.
This method had borne its proper fruit. The
board had very few petty populations to complain
OF, and the few heavy defalcations which they
mourned had all been ACCOMPLISHED by trusted
servants who had set suspicion at rest by figuring
as ardent church members for years.
On the day when Mr.. Bingle was to be trans
lated, and his place of accountant to be filled.
Mr.. Goldcraft, on reaching town, drove straight
to the bank, and entering the board room found
his brother directors already assembled around
its big green covered table. They included the
conventional assortment of solld men, who
knew next to nothing about the principles of
banking. but everything about the trades in
which they had made their money. Among
them was Mr. Bonney, the retired ironmonger
who usually opposed Mr.. Goldcraft in a manner
so indiscreet that ne was considered highly
valuable by that gentleman, whose votes and
proxies had elected him for several years
There was also Mr.. Sedley Pompon, senior
partner of the wealthy firm of Pompon {;
Shaver, the private bankers, who had such
astonlshlngly accurate knowledge of Torham-
ton that they able to do safe and very
profitable business in bills which the mercantile
banks would not look at without Pompon q Sha-
yers Endorsement. Mr. Pompon was heavy
ndshouldered, clammy man of fifty, with
downcast eyes, complexion of tallow, and
slow, careful manner of speaking, to which he
owed much of his business influence. Being
professional banker and very wealthy. his opn-
ion weighed nearly as much as Mr.. Goldcraft's,
and one of Mr.. Pompon's dearest ambitions was
to make it weigh more.
Now, when Mr.. Bingles promotion had been
disposed of and the manager had recommended
the appointment Of Mr. Wilkins to the account
ants desk, it was found that Mr.. Bonney and
Mr.. Pompon favored Mr.. Slit, the junior teller.
The other directors were not that Mr.
Slit was cousin of Mr. Pompons wife, and Mr.
Pompon judiciously RETAINED from the
attitude Of Mr.. Sits patron. On the contrary
he expressed deep regret that conscientious
scruples prevented his support of Mr. Wikins's
claims.
why, what can be said against Mr.. Wilkins"
asked Mr.. Godcraft in surprise.
For answer Mr.. Pompon drew a wallet from
his breast pocket and and very deliberately ex-
tracted therefrom promissOry note by which
Frederick Wilkins engaged to pay Mr.. r Flush
$40 in thirty days for value received Now Mr..
X. Flush had begun life with excellent prospects
which he had marred by too seduous cultivation
of sinful games. In fact, his indulgence in the
noble exercise which General Schenck illustrated
Ia Of Rrjta had
procured for Mr. Flush the title of Routine
Flush, or Flush Royal, and decidedly shady
reputation
when Shaver drew my attention to this
among number of smaller notes deposited with
our house as collateral by Moss Abrams must
say was exceedingly surprised and ereved,"
observed MIR. Pompon very slowly. 1--WE all
know how Flush gets his living"
Mr.. Goldcraft had been inspecting the note in
silent aStonshment.
II have always maintained that it is unwise
to ignore the practice of gambling by the officials
of this bank" concluded Mr.. Pompon, severely.
But this is not proof, you know Mr. Pom
pom" said Mr., Goldcraft in a tone which dis
tincty belied his assertion. | never heard any
thing of the sort about Wilkins before"
1T is not legal proof certainly" said Mr..
Pompon. Not legal proof, no. But other facts
have come to my knowledge This board is
aware that our house finds it necessary to have
very detailed information about the business Of
retail merchants-we have a special man, in
fact. Now, it is sad to have to say that Mr.
Wilkins has been for years on the books of no
less than twenty-three retailers-twenty- three
retailers, sir"
Most of the directors had begun in the retail
line Themselves and deep sigh went around
the table.
well, this is surprising" said Mr. Goldcraft
I could have sworn that he was very econom
ical man. He is anything but dressy and it has
been remarked to me that his wife not only
makes her own clothes, but does her own house
work"
True enough" answered Mr.. Pompon 'he is
even shabby, sir, shabby in degree which con
stitutes positive reflection this board, sir
l have remarked it frequently So is his wife.
A good woman, sir, an excellent woman. But
What is the inference when find one of our
employees living penuriously, denying his family
comforts, sir, yet owing number of accounts