Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-09-27
W'ashin9tou STANDARD
FIRST EXPERIENCE.
How Young Clerk Started n
Bank Account.

lhtN were talking about banks
and bankers at the club room last
Sunday evening. Everybody had
something to say and each man
seemed to give his personal exper-
fence. We, too, had a chance to
air our opinion, when suddenly a
young man employed in a store
crossed his legs and got ready for
his turn.
" Whenever | go to a bank | get
ratified, he said. The clerks rat
tie me; the wickets rattle me; the
sight of money rattles me; every
thing rattles me. The moment |
cross the threshold of bank | am
a hesitating jay. If attempt to
transact business there | become
an irresponsible idiot. knew this
beforehand, but my salary had
been raised to $50 month, and l
felt that the bank was the only
place for it. So | shambled in and
looked timidly round at the clerks.
l had an idea that a person about
to open an account must needs
consult the President. l went up
to wicket marked Accountant"
The accountant was a heavy set,
cool sort of an individual. The
very sight Of him ratified me. My
voice was sepulchral.
Can / see the President?r |
said and added solemnly, "alone."
l don't know why said "alone."
Certainly" said the cashier,
and fetched him. The President
was slim, calm man and limped a
little. l held my $50 clutched in a
crumpled ball in my pocket.
Are you the PRESIDENT" said.
YES" he said.
"Can l see you," I asked,
"alone?" l didn't want to say
"alone" again, but without it the
thing seemed self:evident. He
looked at me in some alarm. He
felt that I had an awful secret to
reveal.
Come in here" he said, and led
the way to private apartment on
the left. He turned the key in the
lock.
I'VE are safe from interruption
here?" he said: "sit down." We
both sat down and looked at one
another. I found no voice to
speak.
After painful pause, 1 said: IL
have come to open an account. l
intend to keep all my money in
this bank" The manager looked
relieved, but still serious; he con.
cluded now that I was a son of
Baron Rothschild, or a young
Gould.
"A large amount. 1 suppose" he
said.
Fairly large" whispered. Il
propose to deposit $50 now and
$50 month regularly" The man.
ager got up and opened the door.
He called to the accountant.
"Mr. B." he said, unkindly
loud, "this gentleman is opening
an account; he will deposit $50.
Good morning." I rose. A big
iron door stood open at the side of
the room.
"Good morning." 1 said, and
stepped into the safe.
"Come out" said the President,
coldly, and showed me the other
way. went up to the Cashiers
wicket and poked the ball of money
at him with quick, convulsive
movement, as if l were doing a
conjuring trick. My face was
CHASTITY pale.
Here" l said, deposit it"
The tone of the words seemed to
mean, "let US do this painful thing
while the fit is on u.s." He took
the money and gave it to another
clerk. He made me write the sum
on a slip of paper and sign my
name in book. no longer knew
what was doing. The bank swan
before my eyes.
"Is it deposited?" l asked in a
hollow, vibrating voice.
ut u.s." said the cashier.
"Then l want to draw a check"
Ny idea was to draw out Sc of
it for present use. Some one gave
me check book through a wicket,
and some one else began telling me
how to write it out. The people
in the bank had the impression
that l was a hayseed. 1 wrote
something on the check and thrust
it in at the clerk. He looked at it.
What are you drawing it all
out again?" he asked 10 surprise.
Then l realized that I had written