Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-06-10
Got That Smart Clerks $40.


An awkward-looking man walked
somewhat timidly up to the hotel
clerk and asked if Almond Witherbee
was in his room.
"Armand Witherbee :" replied the
hotel clerk. "Don't know him"
Hasn't he room hersT asked
the man.
EMO"
"Not parlor d. on the second
Aoori" he gasped, as he mopped his
face with a handkerchief and produc-
ed check for 800, payable to
"Armand Witherbee." drawn on the
Fourth national bank.
"Did he tell you he lived here p
asked the clerk.
EYES," answered the man, "and he
promised to be here at 7 7p. m. sharp
to repay me the $40 he borrowed
from me-"
"Been lending him money, eh'"
"Why, yes, but he gave me good
security. I wouldn't lend money to
man ! had only known for a few
hours without good security. He
gave me this check for $780,"
"How much did you lend him on
itT
"Forty dollars"
"The bank was closed and he had
to get the money somewhere at once,
to meet a pressing claim, eh :"
"Why, yes. that was it exactly.
How did you know II"
"Hear IF them every day." replied
the clerk. "and see their victims"
"Victims
Eyes, victims. You're one them"
"How's that2"
you've been swindled."
"Me swindledp
eyes, you. You ought to know
better than to lend money to casual
acquaintances you may make in this
great city. You must learn to keep
your eyes open and read the news
papers. It's a pretty rank greenhorn
that would be taken in by that old
dodge"
"I1l thank you not to call me
greenhorn, sir" replied the man in
an angry tone; I'm no fool, can
tell you. can read character in the
face. This Mr.. Witherbee struck
me as an honest man and I'm sure
he'll come here to redeem his check"
"Bet you he doesn't" said the
clerk.
"I'm not betting man." replied
the other, "But I'm going to sit here
awhile and wait for Mr.. Witherbee."
Gall right" answered the clerk
"Sit down."
The man sat down and kept bis
eyes steadily on the door for about
half an hour.
"Still think he's going to come, ehf"
sneered the clerk.
Eyes; I amt going to abandon my
faith in human nature yet. He'll
come"
"Bet you SO he DON'T" said the
clerk, tantalizingly.
"Well. III risk it," replied the man.
who'll hold the stakes 7"
"The elevator boy" said the clerk.
Two $40 bills We're put up and the
man sat down to wait again. Before
ten minutes had elapsed man hustled
in, went straight up to the clerk and
threw down a card on which was en-
graved Armand Witherbee."
"Has anybody been asking for me'"
he said. Then without waiting for
an answer he turned about and let his
eyes fall upon the man who had the
check. With an exclamation of
pleasure he saluted him, excused his
lateness, produced $40 in crisp bills,
handed them over, got his check for
500 and invited the lender to drink.
The clerk looked on in amazement,
while the awkward man reached for
the elevator boy, got the $40. declined
to drink, took the arm of Mr.. Wither-
bee, and marched out with hin
triumphantly.
AS they passed out they had an in
describable but unmistakable air of
comradeship about them that made
the clerk kick himself and exclaim
angrily: "Gone again, by jimmy I
Pals, of course ! might have known
it New York Tribune.
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