The Springdale news., 1889-08-09
A LAPSE OF MEMORY.
An Annoyance That Proved a Bless
 ing in Disguise.

nected with my personal history that nothing else will. It's nothing of a story; it's only . simple fact, but as il had quite an important bearing on my life it is something am not likely to forget. It was during my first year as cashier of q bank. It was a memOra- ble year in one other respect, for I had gained the consent of the one dear girl on earth to make mo the happiest ol men. SO, with d good position, good health, correct habits, the confidence and goodwill of my fellow-mcn, and girls, l ought to have been happy and was There was only one ob- stacle to the perfect consummatiOn oi my happiness, and that was the fact that l was poor and must of necessity wait d year before 1 could ask Nell tC share my Not with me. But Nell un- dcrstood this and was content to wait.
 In fact, it didn't occur to either of Us that we had any alternative but to wait, 50 We were philosophical over the mat ter and happy One evening, as sat in my room cutting the pages of d mag azine l was going to take to Nellie, heard 9 quick rap at my door, and, opening it, l admitted my old friend, Bob Bowen. Bob was an energetic, dHshing, contemplating young fellow, with a good reputation in every way, and remarkably clcar-headcd on busi- ness matters, 50 when he remarked in his brusque olf-hand way: Tom, I've got q good thing for you,n why l priclcd up my ears at once, prepared to accept the fact that he really had.
 Now. Tom, said he, drawing his chair up close to me, I'll be brief, for we have no time to lose. A friend ol mine has the option of buying farm on which valuable vein of coal has been discovered for the pitful sum of 5000 His option runs out tonight at twelve o'clock. Now he has pur- chaser ready to take this land of his hands tomorrow morning at eight o'clock for the snug little sum of 80, 000 You see, the party thinks he already owns the land Now, my friend has been delayed in getting his money. He won't got it until tomorrow morn ing, too late to do him any good. So, you See, he has got to have 5000 to- night"
 But what is this to mo?" said I. .I haven't oOt any little $5. O0O tO help him with.
 "Of course not" said Bob, "but here, my boy, my friend offers to di- vide with me what he makes in this transaction if l will help him out, for he hates like the deuce to be beaten at the eleventh hour. Now, l want to help him, and if you will help nc in a way that you can, I'll divide with you, and before breakfast tomorrow morn ing you will have the snug sum of S6, ,25Q. which may have the effect of hurry ing forward certain happy day -eh?" and he nudgcd me playfully in the ribs.
 "Vcry well, said l, "conceding that would be a very agreeable little sum to possess, am as much in the dark aa ever as to the help can render-'
 But, Tom,n interrupted Bob. "ct me impress one fact upon your mind. The money is wanted only until to- morrow morning at eight o'clock pre- ciscly That is just as certain to oc- cur as the sun is to rise. saw the man who is to pay the money. l saw the money, Now, Tom, you know am your friend. and wouldn't do any thing that is not perfectly straight and honorable Now, Tom, you can have the $6. 250 without doing any one any harm or perpetrating any wrong"
 You mean" sad I, coldly, for was beginning 10 get tho drift of his scheme. that could steal this money from the bank"
 Nonsense. Tom" interrupted Bob, you insult me by supposing that could hint at such a suggestion, Listen to my plan now. You know very well, Tom, that if you should say to the hoard of directors tomorrow morning my friend here wants to borrow | $5, GOO and will indorse his note fol him. they wouldn't hesitate a moment in letting me have it. Now, l want tC borrow $5, GOO and 1 can't wait until the bank opens tomorrow morning. l want it and must have it tonight. You can sign note with me for the amount, we will go to the bank and get the money, leaving the note in the place Of it. In the morning before the bank opens the note will be taken up, nothing done that has not been straight, business-like and honorable, but you will be richer by $6, 250 Now, fyou can find any moral flaw in this simple little matter of business, you have sharper perceptive powers than Ihave.n
 Bob's reason began to look plausi. ble. It was quite true, as he said, that the board of directors would will ingly loan him 5000, but after all this business was a little irregular and l didn't feel quite right about it.
 Time is passing" said Bob, glanc- ing at his watch, "and if you can't ia. vor me in this little matter of business, l must try elsewhere. l am going tc have the money tonight, sure, and il you won't help me there are others who will. Why, Tom,n said he. earn estly, how can you hesitate one mo- ment? You have my positive assur- ance that every thing is all right. only ask you to do tonight what you wouldn't hesitate a moment in doing tomorrow Then think of your duty to yourself-to Nell"
 Say no more, Y said I, you shall have the money"
 Bob and hurried to the bank, and after going through the form of draw