Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-09


markable story which he tells about his
loss of memory for month and his sub
segment recovery of it be true, it seems to
me more than likely that he has placed
1t somewhere for safe keeping and has
now no knowledge of what he did with it.
AS to why he took it away from us of
course | know nothing. 1t may have
been the freak of a disordered mind, for
according to the doctors it seems that he
was not in his right mind for month,
or at least that they think he was not.
And yet am perfectly positive, and so
is Mr.. Witherwax, that he showed no
sign of alteration when he took away
his money. OF course if he had shown
any we would have found some way to
avoid giving it up. As it is, there is also
of course no irregularity and no ques-
ton of doubt that he received it and
took it away with him.
The facts are simply these: Mr.. Arthur
Levinson came to our bank for the first
time on October eighteen, eighteen
hundred and eighty -. He had been
a depositor with us for some years be-
fore, his guardian, James Mathews,
having opened an account in his name
and having placed in our charge the
bonds which constituted his fortune.
These We're United States registered
bonds to the amount of one hundred
thousand dollars. This was done Just
before Mr.. Levinson became of age and
Mr.. Mathews instructions We're that we
should from time to time cash the col-
pons Of the bonds as they fell due and
pass the amount to Mr.. Levinson's credit.
When Mr., Levinson came of age he
continued these instructions and drew
on US from abroad as he needed money.
He did not return to this country until
the time Of which l have spoken, and
then called, as was natural, to make
our personal acquaintance. 1t was not
matter Of great satisfaction to me to
know him, for he impressed me as being
supercilious and disagreeable. Still, as
he was a good customer, | thought little
of that His manners were nothing to
me. He seemed to take offense at a
friendly remark Of mine, and altogether
made poor impression on me and also
on my partner, Mr.. Witherwax.
He left after a 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 i'll 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 i'll
vestnent and would very probably have
advised him in the matter, he being
young man with no business training, as
we believed; but, as it happened, the Ne
mark at which he took offense at his
first call Lad been q friendly offer of
advice and assistance to him i'll case he
wished to make any business invest
ments. A. he had replied to that in
most unpleasant way neither Mr.. Wither-
wax nor myself cared to volunteer ad-
vice, and replied as CURLY as he had
spoken, telling him that his bonds were
at his disposal.
l 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
me somewhat by saying that he desired
to have them converted into money and
asking if we would attend to it. told
him that we would do so, and that it
would cost him the regular brokerage
fee, but that it would take a day or so
to cancel the bonds at the subtreasury
and convert them into cash, as they
were registered bonds.
He seemed a trihe annoyed by this,
but presently said: Very good. This
is Friday Suppose | call again on
Monday" 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, Il 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 for
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 l saw
him no more until November twenty
third, when he came to the bank once
more.
81 have come" he said, after he had
asked for private interview and had
led him into the bank parlor, where Mr..
WitherwaX sat, Il have come to say a
few words of apology for what must
have seemed like rudeness on my part
when was here before. Asa 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 it. have not marked
ont any nlans Whatever for the fut1ra