Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-09-05
TWO WERE MISSING.

One morning about 10 o'clock a St.
Petersburg money lender and merchant
was seated in his shop trying to devise
some means Of investing a considerable
surplus which a creditor had Just paid
him. At that time the money market
was dull and it was with great difficulty
that capitalists could keep their funds
probably employed As he was medi-
tating upon various projects and becom-
ing more and more discontinued with
the thought OF his idle money, the car
rage Of General GorgoG, driven by his
coachman in livery, stopped in front OF
the shop. The General, one of the hand
soonest men in 81. Petersburg and one
of the bravcst soldiers in the army,
alighted and hurried into the presence of
the money lender.
Scan have a few words with you 10
priyate2" asked the General.
Certainly" " said the banker. "Thi3
way, if you please"
They stepped into the private Office CT
sh@ banker, whereupon the General with
out further preliminaries said:
81 suppose you know who I an
General Gcrgoli and Superintendent of
Police"
"Certainly, your cxcellency,' repliel
the banker.
"Well, l need Immediately, for very
important affair, the sum of 25, O0J
roubles. am too far from the Minister
of Exchequer to procare it; for a delay
viii ruin everything. Give me the %, =
900 roubes | beg of you; come to-mor-
row morning at my residence and l will
give you the security for them.
~ am 'icIigltel for the favor" re
piled the banker II shall be only too
happy to accommodate you with this
sum or even more.
every well, then loan me thirty thou
sand
"Here they are, my lord he said,
counting them out
"Thanks Tomorrow, then, at nine
o'clock, at nine O'Clock.
The distinguished borrower re-entercd
his coach and drove away at full speed.
The next morning, according to APP
poiutment, the banker presented himself
at the house of General Gorgoh, who re-
ceived him with his usual atfability.
The banker, exchanging the com
pliments of the day, waited for the Gen
cral to open up the business on which
the visitor had come. But instead OF
doing so, the General was silent and
stood i'll an cxpectaut attitude, now gaz-
ing at his caller, now looking out of the
window. But hearing nothing from the
visitor, he finally said:
"What can do for you2"
The question greatly embarrassed the
banker, but he managed to stammer:
~ have come, sir"
81 see you have" coldly replied the
General
This intimidated and alarmed the
banker. He began to fear that the
General was a scoundrel who had levied
this large amount of money upon him
and which he did not intend to repay.
He began to fear the knout, or imprison
ment, or Punishment to Siberia for his
presumption in demanding his own.
Nevertheless he could not Afford to lose
such a man, He might as well be exiled
as lose his fortune. So he boldly said {:
81 have come for the money you Dor
rowed yesterday"
"And pray, sir, who are you that darcs
to accuse me Of borrowing money!
al am Anton Truvouski, merchant and
money-lender, No. - Grand Million
street. You came to my place OF bust
ness yesterday morning. You said that
an important official affair called for an
immediate loan of $1,000 roubles. l
handed you 10000, which you took
away, telling me to cali on you this
morning for your acknowledgment and
ample securities for the loan. | have
done so. do not understand the motive
of your denial. You surely do not wish
to ruin me-"
The General said nothing, but looked
haG1 and cold and stern. The banker
grew pale, for he saw in the determined
look of the police officer u purpose not to
acknowledge the debt, but rather, per
haps, to use his arbitrary power to put
MS Aidthldhb anu dNIustI Oul VI blib way
Suddenly the official turned aud rang for
his servant.
"Order my carriageI' he said.
He put on the familiar gray coat with
a big collar by which he was so well
known in St. Petersburg.
"What was the color of the horse that
was in the carriage yesterday" he asked
the merchant.
at was a chestnut, my lord
'Have the chestnut harnesse1," he
said to the servant.
"Repeat your story, if your please,
emitting no detail whatever"
The merchant went carefully over it
again.
''Your carriage is ready, your excel
lency," said the servant, entering.
twill ask you to remain here until l
return, said the General to the mer-
chant. Quitting the room, descending
the stairs to the street and getting into
his drowsky he drove away.
The suspense Of the merchant was ter
rible. He sat down but il half a minute
rose again; walked the room; looked out