Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-12-21

up on forged check or some other
act of carelessness. He went his way
without fighting back. If he lost his
place, it meant poverty to himself ana
wife in their old age. He was prompt,
careful and systematic and the plans
of his enemies We're defeated.
The seventh year was drawing to
close when old John was caught up.
A stranger presented check which
he hesitated to pay and about winch
he consulted the cashier. Later on the
cashier stated that he had ordered 1T
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. 1t was question Oh
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
wrong figure in making up his days
account, and. though it made only
difference of Z cents in the total, 1t
seemed to prove that old age and care
lessness had untitled him for his posi-
ton. 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 We're resolutions, OF
| course. and one of them was Ito the
| effect that the bank presented him
| with the sum of 500 for long and
| faithful services. He put on his hat
| without protest. and he left the bank
without taking the money. At his
humble home an old and anxious wife
met him and, wifelike gave him sym
pathy and encouragement first of all.
"Never mind, John never mind" she
kept saying. I'VE have few dollars
ahead, and you are only 80 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 foot
and fuel became serious ono. Lie
was not one to sponge or turn bcggar
If the world would not let him aarl
his food. at least he would 20 out Of i
and hope that his going would opcl
the hearts of men toward his widow
After pondering for an hour he started
;ptn of
ing himself in the river. 1t was Il blus
terng November day. and as he passet
the bank with bowed head. bent Shout
ders and we'll worn garments evel
those who had deprived him Of hi
place felt touch of sympathy. IL
was making for the suburbs and
| highway bridge and wondering HOY
long it would take to drown and villa
men would say of him when dead Whe
he caught sight of men and horse
skulking behind an abandoned factor!
1t was singular, bound on such mis-
sion as he was. that he should hay
seen or wondered and specialized O
why those men and horses were there
but he had scarcely passed the old fat
tory when he suddenly turned nbot
and ran for the business part Of tn
town with speed that astonished hin
self.
In the vaults of the First Nation;
bank was sum close upon 100000
deposited there temporarily by a raj
road company. Outside the vault We
a big safe containing $4,000 more.
was quiet afternoon, with few poop
moving about. Over 100 of the me
living in town had gone over to II
new town of Prairie Flower at an au
ton of real estate. There hadn't bee
a better opportunity for years to mai
a dash at the bank. 1t was civilize
young city, but within striking di
lance of No Mans Land and a hui
; dred desperate outlaws OF sudde
old John Fosdick, bareheaded and h
II gray hair flying, burst into the ban
! He was spcechless with his runnin
but he did not try to use his voice, e
dashed open the gate and seized Il
kaRvF. daars Of the safa and Gloss