Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-03-02

our personal acquaintance. II was not
a matter of great satisfaction to me to
know him, for he impressed me as being
supercilious and disagreeabie. Still, as
he was good customer, thought little
of that. His manners were nothing to
me. He seemed to take offense at a
friendly remark of mine, ard altogether
made poor impression on me and also
on my partner, Mr.. Witherwax.
He left after short call, and we saw
no more Of him until October thirty,
when he called again and rather abruptly
told us that he had decided to invest his
money in certain western enterprises,
and therefore wished to realize on his
bonds at once. In the natural course'of
events either Mr.. Witherwax or myself,
or both of US, would have asked him
some questions about his proposed in
vestment and would very probably have
advised him in the matter, he being a
young man with no business training, as
we believed; but, as it happened, the re-
mark at which he took offense at his
first call had been friendly offer of
advice and assistance to him in case he
wished to make any business invest
ments. As he had replied to that in
most unpleasant way neither Mr.. Wither-
wax nor myself cared to volunteer ad-
vice, and I replied as curtly as he had
spoken, telling him that his bonds were
at his disposal.
/ thereupon brought them myself
from the inner safe in our vault, where
they had been kept, and offered them to
him, first preparing the proper receipt
for his signature. He then surprised
me somewhat by saying that he desired
to have them converted into money and
asking if we would attend to it. l told
him that we would do SO, and that it
would cost him the regular brokerage
fee, but that it would take day or so
to cancel the bonds at the subtreasury
and convert them into cash, as they
were registered bonds.
He seemed a trife annoyed by this,
but presently said: Very good. This
is Friday. Suppose call again on
MondayT l told him that the money
would be ready on Monday at any time.
l then prepared the necessary papers.
which he signed, after which he took
his leave.
After he went Mr.. Witherwax said to
me, 81 am afraid that boy will make
ducks and brakes with his money"
"Well," replied rather tartly, 81 do
not see that it is any of our business if
he does, but it is just as likely that he
will do well. He seems to have been
born lucky"
On the following Monday, November
two, Mr.. Levinson came to the bank
again and asked for his money. 1t was
ready for him, in one thousand and one
hundred dollar bills, as he had asked foi
it, and handed him the package after
counting it over in his presence. He
signed the receipt which had prepared
and Mr.. Witherwax and myself both
saw him do it. He then left, and saw
him no more until November twenty
third, when he came to the bank olct
more.
81 have come" he said, after he haC
asked for private interview and hac
led him into the bank parlor, where Mr.
Witherwax sat, Il have come to say ;
few words of apology for what mus
have seemed like rudeness ON my par
when l was here before. AS "a matter o.
fact, appreciated the spirit of yoG4
offer of assistance, Mr.. Fotheringay
better than perhaps seemed to do. A
all events, whether | avail myself o.
your kindness or not, want to say the
I thank you for it. have not marked
out any plans whatever for the future
but if | should decide to make business
investments | will certainly consul
you"
Now this was certainly a suspicion
speech. 1t put ME on my guard in
stantly, and could see that Mr.. Wither
wax was also surprised, though he SAT-
nothing. | hesitated moment, an,
then, deciding to ignore his apology fo
the moment, said, Il thought you ha'
already decided as to your investments.
He then appeared to look puzzled.
believed then, and am still inclined t
believe, that he was acting, but | an
bound to admit that if it really was ACT
ing it was very good acting.
"No, have made no plans whatever
as said before. What made you thin.
had?" he asked.
This was still more suspicious. l sal
rather sarcastically, Il only know wha
you said yourself, Mr.. Levinson, whe
you called here the second time"
If his acting had been good before
was admirable now. He seemed almos
to gasp as he said: 1.-The second time
Have then been here more than once:
It was now evident to me that b
meant mischief of some kind, and I II
: fected with satisfaction that we ha
) ample and perfect proof Of having give
: him his bonds, or rather the proceeds c
them. 1t was therefore with consider
: able curiosity and some little amust
ment that watched him to see what b
was coming to, while l said, very d,
liberately, "You have been here thre
times"
'Three timesv' he exclaimed. can
what did say or do the second and thir
timer"
This provoked me. | could not b.
lieve, and repeat it again, l am nt
now inclined to believe, that he had 4
,, recollection of his different visits, thoug
if his story of temporary insanity |
true (and he certainly presents stron
. evidence) it may be that he acted III
consciously.
Nothing very startling" I said, sti
more sarcastically. "Yon had yor
bonds cashed and carried the none
; away"
: "My God!' he said, still maintainin
the appearance of extreme snrpris
} "what did do with it?'