Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-07-05
BUNDLE.


Some people can never keep cool. Bum
BILE, the we'll known commission merchan
of West street, Is one of that kind
He came tearing out Of his private offic
the other day in fearful state Of excite
ment, which caused his clerks to draw
abort hceaths and to suspect that another
failure had raised Thunderstorm in tn,
old mans financial bosom.
Where's Gibbs?" he yelled
Gibbs was his responsible man.
sHe has gone to lunch, said some one
"Confound his audacityi How dare III
lunchf Go and bring him here at once
quickr' And as many as three Of his
clerks darted out of the door to find Gibbs
although each one knew where to find him
Gibbs was just wrestling with a tena
cious steak when the breathless messenger
entered the saloon and informed him that
he was wanted instanter. Reluctantly the
faithful old servant laid down his tools
and started back to the store to see what
the trouble was
"Gibbs, you are an old ass" was his
greeting.
"That may be SO, Mr.. Bundle; but
what is the trouble now?" he asked calm
~. Gibbs is always calm.
"Where is that 81, 900 check that you
drew this morning?''
| IT know nothing about It. SIR. placed
II on your desk more than two hours aro.
and that is the last I have seen Of it."
Nonsense, sir. II you placed it here
It follows that 1t should be here now.
There has been no one in here"
| mo ono but yourself, SIR"
"It's lie, sir, lie. There has been a
thief in here, and that check has been stol-
en-stolen, SIR"
1T hardly think so, sin - mildlyprotest-
| ed the old bookkeeper.
"Bah! You are an ass, Gibbsi Run to
| the bank with all your might, give them
the number of the check, stop payment of
It and order the arrest Of the person who
presents iti''
Gibbs few to do as he was hidden.
That's the way 30 deal with thieves, I"
he growIed as he banged the door of his
private office and shut himself out from
the rest Of the world.
Some time the next day Bundle found
this check In his pocketbook, where he
bad placed 1t, but he felt SO foolish after
his explosion and abuse Of his honest, old
confidential servant that he kept It to him
self and said nothing about it, thinking
that be would quietly draw the money
and make his accounts good without al
lowing Gibbs to know what fool be had
been.
Bundle was not often in the city, spend
ing the most Of his time in the country
buying produce or soliciting consign-
ments; consequently he was not known at
the bank, and the entire business was
done there by Gibbs. including the sign
ing Of the checks.
After the lapse of few days Bundle
thought he would go up to the bank and
draw the money ON his check. There was
long line of customers there waiting
their turns, not one Of whom knew Bum
BILE or whom he knew.
But when his turn came he presented
his check to the paying teller. That officer
glanced at it and then at Bundle. Then
he turned and whispered to some one,
who instantly went out of the room.
How will you have it-large or small
btlls?" asked the teller in a careless way.
"Oh, don't care a snap so long as I
get it quick! I have been waiting here
for half an hour and am as hungry as a
dog"
"Ah, here comes q gentleman who will
attend to your case! Meanwhile / will
keep this check.
WHAT do you mean, sir?" demanded
Bundle - 49, - -.>--..---.--
'This Is your man, officer" said the
teller pointing to Bundle, who appeared
dumfounded.
Come along, old duffer; played it
once too often
played what, you idiot?" howled the
merchant.
"Oh, come along" said the officer,
jerking him out of the line by the coat
collar.
"Take him to the station house, and
will send a messenger to Bundle right
away" said the teller.
"Confound your impudenoe! I am
Bundle himselfl" shouted the old man
as he was being shaken along.
"Take him along" said the crowd.
Serves him right, the old rascal" said
others and in spite of protestations he
was taken to the station house, followed
by a curious crowd
A messenger was dispatched for Bundle
or his representative, informing him that
the check they had ordered stopped had
been presented for payment and the thief
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