Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-07


Messrs. Blakely and Stephens bank
from the narrow passage connecting it
with the general Offices. We were so
accustomed to the green-baize door,
and to therule that no one was to ap-
proach it, that we did not often give
the mystery much thought. Even
MI. Sharsley, the head cashier, was
not permitted access. Clients and
callers Of all kinds Mr.. Blakely inva-
riably interviewed in another room,
where he was summoned by an electric
bell connected with the green room,
as we used to call it.
There was nothing strange in the
baize door itself; plain green door,
with brass handle, which in no way
influenced the secret springs by which
the door opened and closed. Brass
headed nails marked the outlines of
the DOORS panels. A less suggestive
door never swung on hinges. Yet for
ten years (the length of time I had
been at the bank that door had pos
sessed the most melancholy and un-
canny influence over the banks staff,
from cashier to charwoman. But no
one knew why.
Mr.. Blakely was sole proprietor of
the bank, which was the only one in
town and showed every semnlance of
the soundest financial basis; and the
magnifcence of his income was clearly
displayed at Somers Towers, his splen-
did residence two miles out, where, at
the time of this story, he lavished the
luxuries of life upon his second wife,
very lovely and proud young lady
half his own age-or %.
Mr. Blakely was man strangely
devoid of eccentricities, considering
his conduct concerning the baize d o.;
the chief faults the bank staff found
with him were his indefatigability, and
that whenever there was business to
be done in London-selling or buying
stock, buying cash, etc.-he invariably
attended to it himself.
/ was seated at the desk of the head
cashier, who was away on short holl-
day, one morning in September, when
one of our clients catered the counting
house.
"Mr. Boyton, look here" he said,
slipping crown-piece upon the coun-
ter. "Where did you get itt"
took up the coin and rang it. 1t
rang Enthusiastically true.
"What's wrong with it?" I inquired,
examining it closely without noticing
any defect. "Did I give it to you?"
''Yes. Look at the edge; the letters
are missing-it's quite smooth"
He was right; the edge was as
smooth as that of afour-shilling piece.
weighed it and found it true weight,
and it properly resisted the other
tests.
'Tt's perfectly gcod," said. ''No
doubt it is of an experimental mint,
and got into circulation by mistake.
How will you have it?"
II don't care; half crowns"
passed bim the money, and, as he
went away, I slipped the crown into
my pocket, intending to keep it as a
curiosity. But, later in the day, when
Mr.. Blakely was in the office, I showed
it to him.
His handsome dark face clouded as
he took it and examined the edge.
Glow did we come by it, Mr.. Boy
ton?" he asked. He immediately re-
sumed his natural easy manner when
explained that I had passed it out
and had it returned
"Curious!' he muttered. "One of
an experimental mint, for it's dated
1896. Do you think we've any others
simiar?"
"No; have been through them"
Strange! Well, I'll keep it 1t is
probably unique"
was disappointed with his deci-
sion, as 1 wanted the coin myself. 1t
was against my principles, however, to
protest. went back to my desk, re-
paid myself the five shillings I titled
for the coin, and forgot the matter
forgot it entirely until some weeks
later, when Mrs. Blakeiy, to the utter
astonishment of the banks staff,
turned up an hear OF so before
luncheon time.
Up to that time, although she had
been married more than ten months,
Mrs. Blakely had never been inside
the bank. Now she drove up in her
carriage, came in proudly and asked
for Mr.. Blakely.
replied that if she would step into
the waiting room I would summon him
in the usual way.
''No. Show me into his private
room. am Mrs. Blakely," she said,
hastily.
II recognized you, madam" I re-
piled. "But the rule is that all visi-
tors, whoever they may be, are to be
shown into the waiting room, where
Mr.. Blakely will interview them"
'NonsenseI" she e.acula ed. "Such
rules do not refer to Nh. Blakely's
wife. The room is at the end OF the
passage, is it not?"
''You are putting me in an awkward
position" I replied. 81 am not al
lowed to let visitors approach the
-baize door"
"Ah! Her proud eyes flashed. $50
there is green-baize door which no
one approaches? l interrupted you,
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