The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-04-06
JOHN SAUNDERS HIATUS
By DAVID A. CURTIS

Before returned my guardian died,
| 80 that when landed there was not a
single person in the city whom could
claim as a personal friend. and as II
happened there was none of the &C
qaintances Of my boyhood whom l cared
to look up. My fortune had been invest
ed in United States bonds, and these .tad
been placed for safe keeping with the
old banking firm Of Fotheringay g.
Witherwax. My guardian had opened
an account there for me when came Of
age, and the bankers had honored the
drafts made on them from time to time.
On my arrival at home I had naturally
gone almost Immediately to the bank.
On producing my papers readily proved
my identity, and had very pleasant in
terview with the two partners in the
house. remember that they scrutinized
the papers very closely, as was proper
and natural, and compared my signature
carefully with several specimens of my
writing which they had. Moreover, they
looked at me again and again, both OF
them. and l could see that they were
studying my appearance so as to be posi-
tive in their personal knowledge of me.
This pleased me greatly, for had one
hundred thousand dollars in bonds in
their keeping and something like
thousand dollars on deposit, and their
caution was really as much in my inter-
est as in their own. Myguafdian had
nursed my property carefully until it
reached the exact sum of one hundred
thousand and had put it in the safest in
vestment he knew, and had lived up
to my income without touching the prin-
cipal.
"Are you thinking of embarking in
any business, Mr.. Levinsong asked old
Mr.. Fotheringay as we sat in the old
fashioned business Office the day first
called at the bank.
"No," answered, II have made no
plans whatever for the future. | have
come to New York to see whether
shall prefer to live here. but think it as
likely as not that may go abroad again.
There is nothing to keep me here ex.
cepting an abstract feeling of patriot
ism. and, ON the other hand. | have some
very pleasant associations in France and
Germany both"
"That is natural enough" said Mr..
Fotheringay, land only asked because
hope you will take no rash steps. OF
course we do not wish to obtrude any
advice. but we will be glad to aid you in
any way within our power in case you
desire to change the nature Of your in
vestments."
Unfortunately was annoyed by what
seemed to me officiousness. was young
enough to feel that stood in no need Of
advice. and am naturally Of sus-
picious temperament. | answered as
coolly as knew how that had no pres
ent intention Of making any change, but
that could not undertake to say what
might do at any time.
The good old man felt that was try
ing to snub him, and with dignity
which would have given much to
equal he bowed and said: pray do not
think that intend to be superservice-
able. We are always glad to render any
legitimate aid that lies in our power to
our customers"
was still more annoyed, feeling that
had put myself in the wrong without
cause, but was too diffident and too
young to set myself right, as | might
have done with few manly words, and
after one or two commonplace remarks
| left.
The next day was riding horseback
in the park and was thrown. So much
remember. From subsequent inquiries
have been able to learn something of
what happened to me during the follow
ing month. but strive us | may am
never able to recall the slightest Incl
dent that occurred in that month. In
deed 1t was not for long time that l
was able to believe that that particular
month had elapsed. 1t seemed to me
that the whole world was in a conspir-
acy to deceive me, or that was asleep
struggling with some horrible night
mare.
My coming to myself, after this wholly
inexplicable hiatus in my life, was quite
as remarkable as my losing myself when
l was thrown from my horse. 1t was
accompanied by fall was falling at
the instant picked up the thread Of ex-
istence. and as fell was conscious Of
crying out loudly on account of an ex-
circulating pain in my head. The next
instant realized that had been struck
in the forehead by heavy swinging
door in the lobby Of the Castle hotel,
where had engaged room on arriving
In the city. TIE blow had knocked me
down and had given me most tremen-
dous headache, from which did not re-
cover for some days.
Try as hard as may ] can never tell
how l came to be there, and what
learned of the events of the month then
Just past was 30 extraordinary that de-
termined to get written statements from
my different informants. Invent further
than this. for induced each one to make
affidavit to his statement. l realized
that had most serious problem before
me, which it might take years to solve,
and l was determined to have proof al
complete as possible Of the exact facts
The statements are seven in number. and
have read them over and over in the
vain effort to understand what coult
possibly have done with that hundred
thousand dollars. ! inclose them will
this story OF mine that you may under
stand exactly my position.