The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-06-12

OeSl0 eS IllS DuSlutoo i1ce 'ts'AAA os'iASo,
found himself drawn occasionally into
Jan Vereker's company by their SINH
larity Of tastes. For James Roster was
himself something Of virtuoso and
collector Of curios and was enabled
moreover, by his wealth, to crafty this
taste pretty freely.
One morning, after an absence from
Bristol of about three months, the old
fellow turned up OF the bank, and
asked to see his friend the manager
He was shown into Mr.. Rosters private
room. When they had exchanged the
usual greetings and a few mutual CIVIL
ties. Jan proceeded to unfold the ma
ture Of his business.
"The fact is, Mr.. Roster" said the
old gentleman, IT want some money.
I have an opportunity Of buying some
extremely valuable works of art at a
figure far below their real value; but 1t
is necessary that I should pay cash
down for them. Unless | can produce
the money tomorrow may very likely
lose them"
"Umph! How much do you want
} to overdraw?" ,.-,.-
.arwo thousand pounds. "
The manager whistled. From man
of old Vereker's means such request
seemed to him to border on the auda-
cious. :,
"A tall order, my dear sir. We could
: not possibly allow such an overdra1'
8 without security
/; "No. I did not suppose that you
, would. Ipropose to offer you security,
$ though I admit that the security is Of
somewhat unusual character. YOU
5 already have my Van Dyck portrait in
: your custody. Whatever its value, II
: is considerably in excess OF 920oo
! Will you allow that to stand as my Sc
s curity for the overdraft?o
e "I'm afraid not, Mr.. Vereker. til
contrary to our practice to accept Sc
;, curity Of this description. Hyou couit
/, deposit scrip with us, now, Or IT'LL
j; deeds, or obtain satisfactory persona
It guarantee" 49,,
" ct cannot" interposed old Vereker
l, t'Not, at least, at g moments notice
r Besides, this picture is worth as muc]
n as all the rest Of my effects put to
le gether. Only four days ago Bristc
d firm offered me $4,000 for It'll
J. |
8. With this assurance the manage
ID consented to interview Messrs. -
in with the result that next morning MI
r. Vereker had note from Messrs. Ro!
ID Ter & Sons, advising him that, on til
e. strength of Messrs. IS valuation
H. his Van Dyck, they were willing
or hold the picture as security for tt
n proposed overdraft Of $4,000, and r.
of ouesting him to call at the bank an
er comply with certain requisite forlna
he tiles. This he duly did, and the a
ny rangements for the overdraft we
ce completed.
to Now, Jan Vercker, as has been me:
he toned, had named two months as Il
nd period of his overdraft. He made
til good, however, within six weeks al
he took his Van Dyck back to his hous
From commercial standpoint, b
'ur promptness should have been hail
full with satisfaction by James Roster.
3 a fact, however, it was not. Truth
be tell, the banker had cherished a, hi
MS hope that old Vereker might fail TO l
The pay the advance; and that he (Rosit
3ut would get the chance Of obtaining t
ing picture at about half its market Walt
md A month or SO later, Jan ,Verek
far started off on one Of his periodic
es- journeys, having, as usual, deposit
ind his Van Dyck again with Rosters
ISL safe custody. Soon after his retu
Of he paid another visit to the mana}
la of the bank and ask for another lc
it of $4,000 on the picture, which Y
in readily granted him for three mont
he The three months went by withe
d a any communication from Jan Vere]
the being received at she bank. By
rae terms on which the overdraft had b.
was allowed, Messrs. Roster & Sons W
had empowered-did they so wish it
are deal with the security when fit
Iub. days after the specified term
APP elapsed. During these last fit
was days the manager remained in q ST
y, a of scarcely concealed restlessness
irst; excitement. He was expecting a
| he or communication from Vereker ev
un- day, and at the same time hoping
d he should not receive either. He
une. determined to stand upon the lette
The the agreement. To do SO might,
was doubt, be considered rather 81
practice.
re And James Rosters wish was a
5 al ally fulfilled. The fifteen days Of 6
the elapsed. No communication arr
dent from Jan Vereker. On the morl
All Of the sixteenth day, the manager
un- his stand upon the strict letter Of