The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-10-13
TALES OF TEN TRAVELLERS.
BARRETT pILLIyesBrs COMPASSION
BY EDGAR l.. wAKEMEs.

tied like a dense TOE upon the sfea' Trust and Security bank.
 Even ordinary civiiitles between ofii- elais and employees had given place to the coidest and char!est of greetings while something like frowns of suspic- lon and anxiety rested upon the faces of all. from President Barrett Billings by down to jolly Harry Everett, the lusty messenger of the bank.
 Only this very morning, Mir. Billings by. as he was entering the bank. had accidentally overheard most ominous conversation between large depositor and one of the receiving tellers.
 What in the Old Harry's the mat ter with you folks here. anyhow? Bank in trouble?"
 "Eh--What? Why, certainly not Never had a larger surplus than this very minute;" replied the teller In al- most offended surprise.
 That's straight?'
 "I,ead morally, incontrovertibly straightv'
 "Well. you don't look 1t. Nobody has looked 1t here for month. All seem to be in tho dumps; seem to be in mourn ing; seem to have a funeral on hand. Anything to weep over, honest now?'
 Nonsense! Not a thing" returned the teller with assumed heartiness, as he plotted the entry and returned the customers book.
 lation, or check-kiting, or the banks been hard hit with forgery, or balloon loans. See here, now, young man." con- tlnued the customer, lowering his voice confidentially, and speaking closely to tho window, "you just say for me to friend Billingsby, on the quiet you know, that this confounded churlish- ness and down-in-th'- -mouthness, are really hurting the Trust and Security"
 Hurting it?"
 "Yes, hurting it. Friends of the bank are whispering 1t over and shaking their heads. First thing you know here de- posits will be quietly withdrawn. Then there'll be a run. Then up you'll go! See?"
 Two million more than we can use, in the vaults;" replied the teller with an incredulous smile.
 Don't matter. Two days of the right kind of crowd'd leave the balance the other way. You just mention what I've said to Billingsby. Good morning"
 'T will, sure. Thanks" replied the teller with genuine activity, as he shook himself into something like cheer mess, but, on the departure of the cus- vious look of gravity and concern.
 That settles it!' said MT. Rillingshy stoutly to himself, as he entered his private office, removed his overcoat and immediately returned to the ex- change.
 He passed quickly behind the oak and brass-grated partitions and moved rap- idly from one little compartment to an- other, speaking few quiet and earnest words to each occupant.
 This had an almost electrical effect in that demeanor of satisfaction and gen. eral content which has often been known to stand bank in the stead of sorely needed cash in times of great emergency and peril
 MT. Billingsby, after observing with satisfaction the marked change his brief conference with his employees had created, returned to his private office with the remark:
 T told them would end this annoy ance at once, and now will do it!'
 With only a mere glance at a huge pile of unopened letters upon his desk, he immediately went to his telephone and gave the instrument peremtory ring.
 He made his order to the central off, flee, and, while waiting for a response to his call, stood looking worriedly through the strong iron bars of his win dow into the walled court below. Sud- denly he gave little start.
 "Wonder what old Everett's doing down there?" he reflected. That's no place for him at this hour I didn't know any of our employees had access to the court before noon or after one."
 "Yes;' turning to the instrument. "The Trust and Security-Mr. Billings by's at the phone. Is that you, Dingle- ton? Good morning! Busy?"
 A little silence ensued.
 Sorry; but can't you postpone your preliminary investigation on that jew- elry robbery until a little later in the day? My word is in a measure in- volved in strengthening out a little mat ter here immediately. Greatly obliged If you would step down for a few min- utes-yourself, you know?"
 Another short silence followed, dur ing which MT. Billingsby's face ex- pressed hopefulness, perturbation and satisfaction by turns
 "All right. Very much obliged. Just run in for few minutes on your way to the train. Um-m-m?-All right, Goodbye" He rang off the call; stepped to the window; peered closely about the court, and with the remark T sometimes don't know just what to make of old Everett. But it isn't him, that's sure enough" began nasty examination ct his mornings mail.
 He was thus deeply engrossed when l