The Press., 1900-12-27

up on forged cneck or some other act of carelessness. He went his way
 without fighting back. If he lost his place, it meant poverty to himself and wife in their old age. He was prompt, careful and systematic, and the plans of his enemies were defeated.
 The seventh year was drawing to close when old John was caught up. A stranger presented a check which he hesitated to pay and about which he consulted the cashier. Later on the cashier stated that he had ordered it to be held pending examination. Old John said that he had been ordered to pay it at once. The check was paid, and, being spurious, the bank was $500 out of pocket. It was a question of veracity between cashier and teller, and it was decided within the bank that the cashier had the better of it. Just then, too, old Fosdick slipped in a wrong figure in making up his days account, and, though 1t made only a difference of cents in the total, 1t seemed to prove that old age and care lessness had unfitted him for his posi- tion. The president being in Europe, the board took the case under advise ment. and ''by order" the old man was fired out into the world to begin life anew. There were resolutions, of course, and one of them was to the effect that the bank presented him
 with the sum of $1OO for long and faithful services. He put on his hat without protest. and he left the bank
 without taking the money. At his met him and. wifelike, gave him sym pathy and encouragement first of all.
 "Never mind, John; never mind," she kept saying. We have a few dollars ahead, and you are only 55 years old, and something good is sure to turn up. You have fought too long to give up now"
 But the weeks went by, and nothing turned up. The business world has very little use for an old man who has no capital. John Fosdick's savings were gradually used up. the generosity of his few friends exhausted. and there came day when the question of food and fuel became serious one. He was not one to sponge or turn beggar. If the world would not let him earn his food. at least he would go out of it and hope that his going would open the hearts of men toward his widow. After pondering for an hour he started out with the firm intention of drown ing himself in the river. It was blus- tering November day, and as he passed the bank with bowed head, bent shoul- ders and well worn garments even those who had deprived him of his place felt a touch of sympathy. He was making for the suburbs and a highway bridge and wondering how long it would take to drown and what men would say of him when dead when he caught sight of men and horses skulking behind an abandoned factory It was singular. bound on such a mis- sion as he was. that he should have seen or wondered and speculated on why those men and horses were there, but he had scarcely passed the old fac tory when he suddenly turned about and ran for the business part of the town with speed that astonished him. self.
 In the vaults of the First National bank was a sum close upon $500. .OOO, deposited there temporarily by rail road company. Outside the vault was a big safe containing $25,OOO more. It was quiet afternoo9 with few people moving about Over 100 of the men living in town had gone over to the new town of Prairie Flower at an auc- tiOn of real estate. There hadn't been n better opportunity for years to make a dash at the bank. It was a civilized young city, but within striking dis tance of No Mans Land and a hun dred desperate outlaws. Of a sudden old John Fosdick, bareheaded and his gray hair flying, burst into the bank. He was speeches. with his running, but he did not try to use his voice. He dashed open the gate and seized the heavy doors of the safe and closed them with a bang. Several employees tried to seize him, thinking he had gone crazy, but he shook them of, and just as firing and yelling were heard on the street he slammed the doors of the vault. He had only turn ed from it when four border ruffians dashed into the bank, each with pis- tol in hand, while three others re- mained outside and fired at. every pc 1estrian in sight. H
 Hands up and money outt' shouted ,ne of the three who entered the bank, md in an instant every official and employee was covered.
 The cashier wilted, and the others suit, but old John Fosdick