The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-07-17

~ ~ was such thor
w SSe-tEAA oughly congenial
CI9 fellow. But vexed
at him I certainly
Nas, as ! SAL regarding him through
the smoke wreaths that drifted up.
W$Td from oar attcr-dinner cigars. 1t
was not merely his having refused me
the s. loan 7 desired of him that ac.
counted for my resentment, but the
EbsurdpesS of his excuse that | took
most seriously TO heart. Had he con-
tent9d himself with pleading temper
AIRY financial deatitution, IL had been
amply sufficient AMI entirely above
criticism But when my companion
nonchalantly appended his declara-
ton OF bankruptcy with the statement
that he had that same evening util-
'%ed his last So in the payment of his
+, lartcFly contribution to foreign
missionary fund it was too much.
It's a straight tip, Joe. Fact is
I've been doing that sort of thing for
six years steady now"
Seeing that ] looked incrclulous.
he added: My interest in foreign
missions is a simple obligation, quite
as essential to my own mental equan-
unity as to tho spiritual welfare OF the
heathcn. Besides, my donations are
restricted to a single country"
was quite in the humor 10 hear
one OF Ihoruton's stories. Where
fore, ] lighted another OF my friends
good cigars, settled myself comfort
ably in the big stuGe chair had
pre-emptied and graciously observed.
10 ahead, old chap; Pm listening"
1T happened somewhere about six
years ago, began Thornton. II was
at that time employed as coin-teller
IN the United States sub. treasury i'm q
large Western city The duties of
my position brought me in contact
With people OF every nationality.
Most popular of all oar cosmopol-
ltan clicntage was the Chinese CON
tingent. Hardly a week passed with
out one or more Of those Celcstials
putting in an appearance before my
window. Though intensely ignorant
MS to business methods, they were
crafty, and as time went by their ir-
relevant pigeon English. coupled with
an inyeterate tendency toward de
ceitfulness, aroused i'm myself and as
sistants q cordial dislike for tho race.
Their business wax invariably the
exchanging Of specie for gold c.rtiG-
Gates, which They were accustomed
either to send away to China or take
With them upon leaving the States for
their native realm. Iu negotiating
the exchange for these certificates
~ 4 Ia. ..
money in paper rolls Of miscellaneous
amounts and denominations.
And the provoking part OF it was
that each and every one of the rogucs
would mark fictitious values upon
their various packages, with tlercsult
that on counting the money the az
gregate would invariably fall short Of
the amount their figures represented.
Expostulatious On my part were per
slstently ignored, and the dacgptior
was attempted with oz1sperating re1u-
larlty. Finally, having endured the
annoyance for over q year, I deter
miued to use heroic measures iu 9rdsr
TO eXtirpato it,
Jack, said I in sheer desperation
TO my chief assistant, one DAY. This
bunco business has continued quite
long enough, and has got tostop. The
next Monaghan that tries 20 work
this department will hear things from
me tharll make Ibis queue rurl at th.
end.
j hadn't long to- wal. Tine very
next morning i'm walked da5p.r lit
tie Chinamau carrying sack uf coin.
A ..f. L.