Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-16
LADIES AS DEPCSiTORS.
The Difficulties the Dear Creatures Have
in Compromising simple Things.

The question was asked of patient
looking. middle-aged gentleman who
stood behind the counter over which
was the sign Paying Teller" in one Of
the uptown national banks.
We'll" he replied, with smle-a
very agreeable smile-''now that have
become practical philosopher, | do
not find it irksome. Indeed, | rather
enjoy myself. The efforts of lady to
master the intricacies of banking rules
and practices used to make my head
ache. Now they provide entertainment
for me all day long. I used to sigh
when l saw lady approach the win
dow with an expression On her face ln-
dcating that she was in doubt about
something. Now ! observe her coming
with pleasure, for she may have some
new probem-though that is unlikely
or she may develop some new phase
of character. That is unlikely, also
however. | think | know them all. /
ought to-"
"Why is it they can't understand"
MANY of them understand every
thing. The majority of them do. The
woman who cannot comprehend all
that is required of depositor is an
exception. But those who do not I'M
derstand do not understand at all.
What do you think of a lady coming
here and demanding to know why
check drawn by her was not paid when
there was no money to her credit?
I've had that happen to me a number
of times. 1t happened this morning.
When | told the annoyed woman
that her account was slightly over
drawn, she asked me why | hadn't sent
her word.
You could have told very easily by
consulting the stubs in your check
book and comparing the total with the
total deposits in your handbook /
said.
Oh she said, i can't bother with
figures. | always hated en-"
And had some difficulty in con-
vincing her that it would be necessary
to put money in the bank before she
could draw any more out. She wasn't
quite so bad however. as the very in
nocent lady, historical in bank circles.
who, when one of her checks was sent
back marked No funds descended
upon the bank for Information, and,
incidentally, for more money, explain
ing that there must be plenty to her
credit still, rs she had only used about
half the checks in her check book.
The teller was obliged just then to
inform, bright-looking young woman
that her signature to the check she pre-
sented would be absolutely necessary
before he could honor it. She blrshed
furiously and hurried to a desk to add
her name.
There's ar example" he said.
laughing. But she knows better. 1t
was only carelesSness.
When he had paid the young woman
her money he continued: 1T is great
wonder that lady deposItors are not
continually being defrauded because
of their manner of drawing checks.
III III rurrTsu wfTUH rt7vJ s3r7rrr 1t the
bank we can correct them. But the
checks they write during their shop
ping hours would, | should think, be
constant temptation to people with
tough consciences. They could be so
easily raised. Nearly ALL except the
experienced ones. fail to fill out the
line after putting down the amount,
and any bungler could raise the tig-
ures. 1t is blessing, therefore, that
most OF the checks are drawn to the
order of the reputable business houses
of the city.
Frequently their checks are for
ridiculously small amounts. 1t is the
new depositors who write them. 1t is
a novelty, and they appear to leave all
their small change-and big change,
too, for that matter at home, for the
purpose of enjoying it. have had as
many AS ffeeen checks from one wo-
man in oue day and some for amounts
IA small as 8 cents. The other day a
check was presented here for 10 1-2
cents
DO they lose their tempers, oftenp"
"Oh, sometimes, of course"
Just at that moment the angry notes
of woman's voice were heard. She
was talking to the cashier. 1t ap-
peared that check of hers had been
refused because it was drawn ior an
amount larger than the sum to her
credit
The check" said the cashier. calm
ly, "calIed for SIS. You have only Sl4
in the bank"
Il have, too" she answered tiercely;
I've got $37."
You're mistaken, madame" an
swered the official, still calmly.
We'll, here's my book. You can see
for yourself"
The cashier took the book with the
resigned air of IA man who had been
there before many time. He exam
ined it quickly.
The trouble is, p" he said, that you
have drawn check hurriedly some
time, and neglected to fill out the
stub
II couldn't possibly have done that
she replied, because always till out
the stub first. And, besides, | don
write checks hurriedly. | don't do
business that way"
The cashier smiled. and that exaSper-
ated the woman still further.
You've made the mistake yourself, -
she declared.
I'VE do not make mistakes here, :"
was the quiet response.