Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-18
In A BANK.


Watts said that a good way to inn
prove the mind is to mingle with the
rest of mankind and talk with
with each individual about his own
vocation. He didn't use these words.
but the idea is the same, and is found
ed GA good hypothesis-that is, that
every man knows more about his own
business than that of others. In
other words, a blacksmith knows
more about his trade than he does
about law, and good lawyer knows
more about law than about medicine.
So the idea of Watts was that seek
er of knowledge should Lot spend
his time trying to impress others OF
his own knowledge of their business
and draw them out. Lead them into
channels with. which they are &C
quainted and you'll learn something
from every man with whom you con-
verse.
Every vocation in life affords op-
portunities for the king of studies,
that of human nature, or as Pope
says: ''The proper study OF man
kind The railroad conductor sees
one of the pages of the human pan
Drama, the ticket-seller sees another.
The stamp and delivery clerk at the
postoffice deal with still another class
and have q chance to study people
we'll. In the auction room and at
the circus you see the great character
istics of the American people--their
gulIibility. What hungry people
they are! If there is anything new
under the sun, the American people
will see it if they can get to it.
There is yet another place to study
some odd phases of human nature,
and that is all at good, busy bank.
The teller has splendid opportunity
as he stands behind the wire screen
and looks calmly through the money
hole There ne stands from 9 o'clock
in the morning until in the after
noon, save short respite at dinner
time to pacify the disauietude of
the stomach. At either hand are
stacks of gold and silver and large
bundles of bills. And what wretch
ed life that money leads! In and out.
in and out all day long, Ali the
same, the teller has some peculiar
experiences.
Not long ago, young man stood in
the line along closing up time waiting
his turn to get check cashcd. The
pieces of gold and silver made a
m cry but cold jingle as they ratified
to and fro on the glass plate, and the
rustic of the bank notes fell soothing
~ upon the ears of the bystarders.
when will the bills rustic in my
hand?" thought the young man, and
the gold pieces ironically jingled: In
the sweet. y
There were many classes of people
waiting their turn, some impatiently
and others quietly and patiently.
There were business men who clasped
in their hands well-flled bank books
they were waiting to make their daily
deposits. On some was look of grim,
triumphant satisfaction, a conscious
ness that another victory had been
won in the mad battle for wealth. On
others was an expression of petulent
Impotence. Neither were the work
lngmen absent, and occasionally a
woman pat in her nervous appearance
One thing very noticeable was the
fact that Majority of the checks pre-,
scented were quickly handed back by
the teller with the remark:
''You will have to indore that
check. Write your name on the
back, please"
This is the commonest requirement
of bank, YET there are many men
who forget it, or al least do not heed
it. A great many checks are made
out payable to the order of the per-
son to whom the check is given, and
unless reminded by the teller some
parties think the check needs no in
dorsment so long as they present it
themselves. Each check is subjected
TO a rapid, though close, scrutiny by
the teller, and down it goes and the
money is forthcoming provided the
name is good,
There was young farmer in line,
and he elbowed his way up to the
money-hole and looked at the teller
after good survey he handed in q
check for \ small amount. The teller
glanced at the signature, quicly turn
ed it over, and as quickly handed it to
the farmer with:
'This check is payable to the order
of Simpson Blank; his name must be
on the back"
''But I'm Simpson Blank"
THAT makes no difference. You
will have to indorse it anyhow"
We'll, gimme pen, then"
"You will find one on the desk
there"
Where did you say to sign it,"
Son the back"
The man went to the desk and eau
tiously wrote his name on the back of
the check, at the same time making
all kinds of grimaces and putting his
mouth through as many contortions
as there were crooks in the letters
spelling his name. He then handed
the check over with the remark:
''There you are. I amt much used
to slingin' fists on checks, but I rec
kop that'1 git me the money, won't
it9"
He got the money grasped it tightly
in his right hand, rammed it into his
pocket, and left.
It's pity, but tits true that women
sometimes take undue advantage of