The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-04
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.


room. could think Of only three reasons
for this unusual summons-I was to be
discharged, or to have my salary raised, or
to have it cut down.
When I entered the room President
Packers and his colleagues scrutinized me
as if were promissory note with only one
indorser, until l began to feel nervous
enough to speculate whether | mightn't
have robbed the safe in fit Of temporary
insanity. However, the President soon
put me at ease on this point by throwing
me into state of great uncertainty on
another.
''Mr. Saunders" began he, with his
usual air of addressing mass meeting.
"Mr. Saunders, are you person Of pru-
dence, sagacty and good judgment -
1 thought had decided these questions
in the negative by accepting the position
held for the pay received, but of course
it wouldn't do to say so, and l simply
replied that couldn't say.
Cor" continued the President "should
the contingency arise, of physical courage
in danger?"
had played left-back on a light football
team against a bad tempered, heavy eleven
who could not score; nevertheless l again
answered that l couldn't say.
These uncommittal replies seemed salts
factory, and ! now saw that the object OF
this catechism was not to find out if pos
sessed the good qualities mentioned, but to
inform me indirectly that | should stand
in need of them whether | possessed them
or not.
President Packers went on to tell me
what was wanted. The bank had to trans
NIT ten thousand dollars to Shovel Brothers.
contractors employed upon new railroad
in the northern part of the State, that the
firm might pay its laborers. The region
was desolate, and the express company re-
fused to make delivery beyond its nearest
postoffice, many miles distant. Conse
quently it would he as we'll to send
the amount all the way by special mes
senger.
was to be that messenger-and to go
alone, for no unemployed men Of the nee
essary trustworthness could be found to
make up guard. The Boston bankers,
Reichsmarks Guilders & Co., were to send
a like amount in few days, but probably
by another route, so that should not be
able to take advantage of the protection
their agent would undoubtedly have.
l instantly accepted the commission,
moved by desire for change from the
monotonous routine of the bank, by certain
spice of adventure about the expedition,
and above all by the manifest resolve Of
the directors to send me anyway.
."I'll start tomorrow morning"
every good, Mr.. Saunders" returned
the President. "Your zeal is most graft
flying. have only to suggest you making
any changes in your dress and appearance
that will permit those whom you meet
from supposing you to be provided with
any considerable sum of money
Next morning was off on an early train.
The Presidents closing hint had needed,
and tlattered myself that no one could
ever imagine me bank clerk, or a clerk in
any other reputable business.
wore remarkably ancient suit Of
clothes hat that would inspire distrust
in the most guileess heart, boots which
needed backing, linen which needed
whitening-the effect of the whole per-
fected by a two days beard.
carried hollow-chested valise, which
appeared to have seen so many of its worst
day that it might have remained unstolen
if dropped in the middle Of the most
poverty stricken street in Christendom.
This receptacle treated with the disrespect
of a man who, knowing its padding and
pretentions, despises it for containing
nothing but paper wads and paper collars
Yet in that forlorn valise, under decep-
tive stratum Of toilet things, lay the sealed
packages of currency amounting to ten
thousand dollars
The train was a through one, and l met
not a single acquaintance. So feared no
embarrassing recognitions, and found my
self taken for just what / was not
The conductor punched my ticket with
an air of not expecting me to have
any, while the way in which the train
boy passed me over in the distribution of
figs and fiction filled me with self-com.
placency. My disguise was, beyond doubt,
complete success.
The day went on-an uneventiul and
hungry day, for thought it due to my
assumed character to buy no refreshments
but doughnuts and sausages, two things l
cannot eat. Toward night changed to
branch road There were few passengers,
but among them described for the first
time an object of suspicion-a young man
whom had noticed covertly cycling me at
the junction, and who now sat across the
aisle.
He was very well dressed, had the I'M
mistakable bearing of the city, and would
have been the last person IN the world to
cause any anxiety but for his watching me