The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-20
/ IL.

On the following VI onday there was a
special meeting of the directors for the
purpose of examining the books and ac-
counts of the bank The bank controller
was expected TO call for an exhibit within
the coming week, and it was desirable that
the directors should feel assured that their
institution was in the proper order. The
call OF the controller was always impend-
ing. 1t might come any day, and it would
require an exhibit Of the condition of the
bank on any previous day. lie was per-
united 10 make five of these calls during
the year, and, lnasmuch as he was at lib
erty 10 choose his own days, his check
upon the banks was complete. Ii he found
bank that had not fulfilled the REQUIRE
ments OF the law he was obliged 10 take
away Its charter, and 10 close it: hence the
examination meeting in the present case.
1he accounts OF the tcllers were passed
upon, the cashiers books were looked over
as were also those Of the regular book
keepers. There seemed To be no errors
and the contents OF the safes were proved.
There was perfect order i'll all the DEPART
ments. The clerks were .compiimented.
Now" said Fields 10 himself, is NV op-
portunity."
On the next day at 10 o'clock the direc-
tors again assembled-this time for their
regular iabors-to examine the proposals
for discount.
The twenty clerks We're Dusily and silently
at work behind their counters and graf
lngs, and the fourteen directors were shut
tight III their mahogany room. There was
but little passing 10 and fro from the
street, though now and then a half-frozen
messenger came stamping in, and did his
errand. with benumbed fingers. through
the little windows. The tempest made
business hight.
At II O'Clock Fields wrote q note and
sent 1t 10 the directors room. The hoy
who carried il Knocked softly, and the
president appeared. took the letter. and
then closed the door again.
Then there was moment of almost to-
tai silence; the clerks wrote, the leaves
ratified. ami it seemed as if it were an in
slant before AN expected explosion
Presently an explosion came. The clerks
heard wish astonishment a tuInult in the
directors room-exclamations, hurried
questions, the nasty rolling OF chairs on
their casters, and then the sound OF feet
The door was hastily drawn open. and
those tho were near could see that nearly
all the directors were clustered around II
stralnlng their eyes TO look al the having
teller. Most OF them were pale. and thew
called, IN one voice, Come here! Come
III mere at oncei" Fields :" M FieIdsp,
.'Sir, you are wanted" "Step this way
instantly Fields put down his pen.
opened the tail iron gate which separated
nm from the counters, and walked rather
quickly toward the den OF lions An Omen
log was made for him IN the group. and ne
passed through the door, and Il was shut
once more.
lie walked across the room To the fire.
place. He TOOK out has handkerchief. and.
SEEING Z corner between a thumb and fore
hnEer, slowly shook it open, and then
turned around
This note, sir! What does it mean ?"
crled the president advancing upon him.
waving the papec IN his trembling hand.
Have you read III" demanded Fields.
IN 4 loud voice.
YES. said the president He was as
tonlshed at Fields manner He cast a
glance upon his fellow directors.
Then what Is the use Of asking me what
/ mean 1t Is a plain a. | can make IL"
hut Il says-hut Il SAYS fsltered the
venerable gentleman, turning the paper to
the hight. that you have only money
enough 10 last until l. O'Clock. Your