The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-04-20
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By DAVID A OURTIa

money In certain western enterprises
and therefore wished to realize on his
bonds At once. In the natural course oil
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 ct which he took offcnse 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 a
mostunpleasant way neither Mr.. Wither-
wax nor myself cared to volunteer adj
vice, and replied as CURLY as he had
spoken, telling him that his bonds were
ut 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
asking IL we would attend to 1t. told
him that we would do SO. and that it
would cost him the regular brokerage
fee, but that 1t would take day or so
70 cancel the bonds at the subtreasury
and convert them into cash, as they
were registered bonds.
He seemed q trifie annoyed by this,
kxx% L. ~
b Friday. Suppose call again on
MondayY told him that the money
would be ready on Monday at any time.
then prepared the necessary papers.
which he signed, after which he took
his leave.
After he went Mr.. Witherwax said to
me, II am afraid that boy will make
ducks and brakes with his money"
"Well." replied rather tartly. al do
not see that it is any Of our business il
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
egain and asked for his money. It was
ready for him, in one thousand and one
hundred dollar bills. as he had asked for
1t, and handed him the package after
counting 1t over in his presence. He
signed the receipt which had prepared.
and Mr.. Witherwax and myself both
saw him do 1t. He then left, and saw
him no more until November twenty
third. when he came to the bank once
more.
II have come" he said, after he had
asked for a private interview and had
led him into the bank parior. where Mr..
Witherwax sat, II have come to say a
few words Of apology for what must
have seemed like rudeness on my part
when was here before. As matter of
fact. | appreciated the spirit of your
offer Of assistance, Mr.. Fotheringay.
better than perhaps seemed to do. At
all events, whether | avail myself of
your kindness or not, want to say that
thank you for 1t. have not marked
out any plans whatever for the future,
but il should decide to make business
investments will certainly consult
You"
Now this was certainly a suspicious
speech. 1t put me on my guard in
stantly. and could see that Mr.. Wither-
wax was also surprised, though he said
nothing. | hesitated a moment, and
then, deciding to ignore his apology for
the moment. said, II thought You had
already decided as to your investments"
He then appeared to look puzzled. |
believed then, and am still inclined to
believe. that he was acting, but | am
bound to admit that il it really was act
ing it was very good acting.
"No, have made no plans whatever,
Is said before. What made you think
hadY' he asked.
This was still more suspicious. | said
rather sarcastically. 81 only know what
you said yourself. Mr.. Levinson. when
you called here the second time"
II his acting had been good before it
was admirable now. He seemed almost
TO gasp as he said: 1.-THE second timel
Have then been here more than once2"
It was now evident to me that he
meant mischief of some kind, and re-
fected with satisfaction that we had
ample and perfect proof Of having given
him his bonds. or rather the proceeds of
them. 1t was therefore with consider.
able curiosity and some little amuse-
ment that watched him to see what he
was coming to, while said, very de-
hberately. you have been here three
times"
"Three times!" he exclaimed. sand
what did ! say or do the second and third
timer"
This provoked me. could not be-
heve. and repeat it again, am not
now inclined to believe, that he had no
recollection of his different visits. though
II his story Of temporary insanity be
true land he certainly presents strong
evidence) 1t may be that he acted I'M
consciously.
Nothing very startling" said, still
more sarcastically. "You had your
bonds cashed and carried the money
away
my Godi" he said. still maintaining
the appearance of extreme surprise,
"what did do with ity'
"Of that we have no knowledge what.
ever" | replied, and he sprang to his
feet as IL electrified.
"Neither have l." he almost shouted
Then he saw that was looking at him
with cool smile, while Witherwax was
beginning TO look indignant. It seemed
TO compose him in moment. and he sal
down again and told most preposter
ous cock and bull story about having
been unconscious for month and still
going around as If nothing had hap
pened.
1t seemed impossible that he should