The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-05


that critical juncture The firm was in
straits, and a dollar out of the till meant
possible exposure. He started toward the
counting room.
Here's the receipt said Mr.. Johnson,
pulling it out of his wallet; heres date and
ALL
Well" remarked the Young Napoleon,
calmly and matter-of-factly, Il guess we
can settle 1t in three minutes or less-Mr.
Johnson" catching the name the instant
the receipt touched his hand. All, what a
releI II there was any reaction when MS
farmer failed to discern it. He saw only
the imperturable banker pressing a button
ana insTucting a clerk to have the account
made out Immediately, with a check for
the amount due.
Mr.. Johnson" he said, turning in his
swivel chair when the account was brought,
you have been one of the fortunate few,
and want to congratulate you. You have
TO your credit the sum of S4S,0OO a profit of
$lS,VUO In about ten weeks
The farmers eyes opened. He blew
through his pursed lips a low whistle of as
constituent nsae1 n nj Eighteen thousand dollars
proht! he exclaimed. How in darnation
blaZes did you and the gineral do it?
on, IT'S nothing extraordinary, said
Ward smiling I'VE simply invested it
Wnere we thought we saw a profit and for
tunately our judgment was correct. Again
congratulate you, Mr.. johnson"
A clerk entered hastily in response to
bell call, the young Napoleon instructed him
to have the check certified.
Take it to the Marine Bank at once, and
lose no time in returning, for Mr.. Johnson
must catch his train"
The Marine Bank was Wards bank The
venerable James d. Fish, Wards partner,
was it's president.
Look here, Mr. Ward,'' said Johnson, II
don't want that money. l wouldn't know
what to do with it. 1 want to leave it here
with you and the gineral to let you make
what you can on it for you and me. 1t
won't do me no good knockin' about the
farm as 1t has been dom these fifteen years
1 Co fHy Ing
sayin' word When need it L can come
and get it,
impossible, my dear old friend, said
Ward. rising and laying a hand the
farmers shoulder. Impossible. I'll be
frank with you, and tell you why, be-
cause / like you, and you are the general
friend He and have secured certain gov
eminent contracts of such a nature that
enormous capital is required to handle them,
and we have decided that the syndicate
we nave organized must not consider an
account that IS under $500 900. That is the
smallest possible limit. We have been over
run with little people with sums to invest,
and 1t has been necessary to increase our
stan OF clerks until our present offices can
not accommodate them. We are dropping
lheSe small accounts rapidly posi-
pie am sorry, therefore, that we have to
decline yours"
MR.. JOHNsON's PROFIT.
The clerk returned with the certified
check, which Ward placed in Mr.. Johnsons
| hand, bidding him goodbye"
THAT viii be cashed at any bank" he
| said. ct is as good as gold and much more
convenient"
But 1 don't want it," pleaded the old
man. 81 want you ard the gineral to keep
it for me and do what you can with it.
Why, Mr.. Ward even if you should lose
some of it I wouldn't have any the less
faith in you and the gineral. 1t 'ud be the
| fortune of war;
''Mr. Johnson. said the tempter, solemn
I ly and impressively, I'D rather oblge you
| than any customer we've got, but how can
| you expect us to keep your account? You
would be the one exception, and 1T would
make forty people mad who have been
| dropped. Our negotiations with the govern
| ment will probably make us milliopaires
| several times over, and we would like to
| have you share our good fortune, but the
line has been drawn and we must hew to it.
Nothing under 100000 can be considered.
I am very grateful to you, Mr.. Johnson"
ne Went on for your kind expressions Of
pleased when 1 tell him of them and he
Will be sorry, too, that the $4,000 limit
it can't be done You have just time to
fi uckEr' S0'f ''ai'' 'oo0-0Se ST. 0ooo
Grunble, growl and plead as he would
Mr.. Johnson, with millions in view, failed to
change Ward. The latter stoutly main
tanned his proposition, finally forcing his
take his departure with the certified check
for $4,000 in his inside waistcoat pocket
| respect in his heart When he had gone and
the door was tightly closed Ward sat down
and laughed softly to himself.
THE NAPOLEON'S DOOM.
1t was the day before the failure of Grant
& Ward The young Napoleon OF finance,
whose operations had startled the money
world. whose partnership with the ex-
President of the United States was the
wonder of the Nation, sat alone in his office.
Banking hours were over. He had received
notice from the Marine Bank that the ac-
count of Grant & Ward had been overdrawn
to the extent of from 100000 to $75O,O0O,
and in the solitude of his poor, barren cas-
tie he was scheming to discount dark and
forbidding future.
Gentleman to see you, SIR" said a boy,
peeping in.
'FWho is he? What's his name? What is
the nature of his busness?" said the
doomed Napoleon, still clinging to the for
mula.
''Mr Alling Johnson" said the boy. Ward
smiled.
Show him in, but say that am very
busy"
accounts when the farmer entered. Jaw
fully glad TO see you, Mr.. Johnson" he
said, nodding indifferently as he pretended
TO be looking for lost memorandum.
Generals Just gone-as usual when you
are here. What can do for you? Sorry
have a pressing engagement and can give
you but a few minutes. Been a fearfuny
active day. You see l am working over
hours"
Mr. Ward, ] know you are a very busy
man, so / won't keep you long I've just
come to town to ask you and the gineral
if you could make an exception in my favor
about the syndicate business with the gov
eminent contracts. Can't you let me in for
$40 900 less than the limit set?"
The farmer was actually pleading Ward
hesitated.
And what more I'd like to know con-
tinued Mr. Johnson. lis if 1t makes any diff
ference to you and the gineral if l don't
put up all the s1S0,000 myself but collect it
among my friends
Still Ward hesitated, slowly shaking his
head
you've got me in tight place. Mr.. John
SON. he said, finally THE negotiations
are about closed, and there is not a single
interest but exceeds 100000. / dare say the
entire business will be wound up before
o'clock. and that hour is close at hand. 1t
would require prompt cash"
Here it is interrupted the Cattarsugus
man. Me and the rest of the boys fetched
it along"
He jerked his thumb in the direction of
the door. They are outside. Can't you let
EN- in? All neighbors o mine, and mighty
good boys. They Clipped in what they had
against my check-the certified one you
gave me-and we are all on the make" He
laughed as his mind conjured up great
profits.
Show the gentlemen in said Ward to
the clerk who sprang in to the sudden
alarm of the bell. Mr.. Johnson began count
ing out his money. Introductions were