The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1893-10-06
MISS WINDLEY,S PANIC.


Little Beverley had always been
considered one Of the most thriving
sections within several surround;ns /,
counties, and there had never been s
any cause TO think differently. Ia
notr and planning mills. its rome fac.
tory and its two blacksmith shops
were in constant employment, and
as time went on their business IN.
creased perceptibiy. The two banks
IN the place were noted for their
financial standing, '.as solid as the
banks Of Little Beverley being 4
common saying. Not only were the
business men their customers but
the villagers generally entrusted
their savings to their keeping. Lit
Tie Beverley was on the main high
way between two large commercial
senters, and having excellent shin
ping facilities derived the benefits
mat flowed from so favorable o stu.
alton in the natural exchange OF
trade and commerce. The land
throughout the county was rich and
productive and the farmers -four
ished accordingly. On market DAYS
they came into the village with
wagon loads of produce, returning
home late in the afternoon. with
provisions or other necessaries.
Market days in Little Beverley were
exceptionally busy ones, and were
looked forward to with pleasure.
alike by the villagers, the farmers.
their wives and families, not only
because they brought material bene.
dts to both, but because they gave
opportunities for social intercourse
and an exchange Of opinion.
The Little Beverleyites were con-
tented and happy, and all believed
that the future was one Of the
brightest promise.
But out Of clear sky appeared a
dark cloud. 1t rapidly grew in vol.
Sume and blackness, and had a threat
ening aspect from the beginning.
Miss Windley, o nervous, excita-
BILE person, with more time ON her
hands than she knew what to do
with, became all at once unusually
active in spreading a report. She
had read in the newspapers, she
said, that the government was get
ting short of money, that the whole
country would soon be in the same
predicament, and that no one could
predict what the end would be.
What do you think of it?p she
would almost scream then to those
she addressed, bringing to her aid
both hands which she used freely in
lending emphasis to every word she
uttered. what do you think Of it?
the country goin' to the dogs
better say the banks, because they
have the, money of the country in
their keepin'. And what does that
mean?-the failure Of the banks-the
loss Of our money. 1t means our
ruin, that's what it means. o myl
(then she would place q hand on her
heart went to the bank yesterday
to get out the little money / had
scraped together through all these
years, and-what do you think they.
told me?-it makes me sick to think
about it-that ! couldn't have it Just
now, sayin' that l would have to
wait, naming a time-but know
what that means, the country's
ruined already, and we're all ruined,
everyone OF US. Have you been to
the bank yet2-well, you needn't
bother, it's all gone. Inever asked
for my money before, and they
haven't got it now to give me. And
I'm o lone woman too (whining).
Isn't It q shame that banks should
be allowed to do 1t? Is thereno law
against them? It's robbery, that's
what it is, clean robbery"
Miss windley was something over
forty; she lived in a small cottage on
the outskirts, and, Notwithstanding
her nervous eccentricities, was
greatly respectedin the village. Her
word was always listened to and her
opinion carried weight among the
villagers. When she spoke to Mrs.
Lutin on the startling subject, all
that estimable woman could do was
to raise both hands, open her eyes
and mouth to their limit and ex-
claim: For lands sake" walk into
the house and take sickening spell.
Before the day was half over q
panic had been created in Little
Beverley, and the two banks had
been besieged by an excited mob, de-
manding their money. The report
Miss Windley had circulated went
r4t .la, T;+t1a pauarIa1, II