Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-04-25
JAY GOULD, JR.

known. Tall, awkward, ganging, ,freck
led-faced and homely, he did not lCok
possessed of any of the qualities that
are in the makeup of a man Ike Jay
Gould, but this only goes to show that
appearances ore often deceitful, for be-
meath quiet, almost sleepy exterior,
were qualities that would one day make
George famous, If they were only given
u chance to crop out and develop.
George was fine penman and Won
ierfully quick at figures, and it was on
account of these qualifications that he
was gwen place in the one bank of
the village.
Anxious to retain his place, George
worked early and late, and did every
thing in his power to please his en-
ployer. He was getting five dollars a
week, and if he could only be sure of
his place and that amount Of money a
week, permanently, his mother could
stop taking in washing. this being the
manner in which she made her living.
Three months passed and George was
Just beginning to feel at home in the
bank, and to think that perhaps he was
to lie kept permanently, when, as he
was putting on his coat to 90 home one
evening, Mr.. Morgan, the owner of the
bank, called him into his office aud told
the boy that after the end of that month
he would have no more need of his ser.
vices.
WE had gotten behind with our
work was the reason | employed you," "
explained Mr.. Morgan. Wow, thanks
to the assistance which we have received
from you, we are up with our work and
In shape again"
1t was IA terrible blow to the boy;now
his mother would have to return to the
hated wash;ub, from which she had had
three month respite, and this hurt
George more than anything else. He
'uade the most of it, however, and was
Just as promptand energetic in his work
as he had been before receiving notice
OF his dismissal.
A week later Mr.. Morgan was called
away to New YORK City on busincs,
that would keep him three weeks. lie
left the bank in charge of Mr., Wixon,
the cashier, the only empIoye of the
bank besides George.
Everything went smoothly for almost
two weeks, and then MIR. Wixon was
taken suddenly and violently sick.
This left the bank in Georges charge,
and lie faced the difficulty bravely and
shouldered the responsibility in man
ner to have dore credit to man with
years Of experience. He had been in
the bank long enough to catch the run
of the business, and he would probably
have had no trouble had NOT some evil
disposed person, evidently an enemy of
the banker, started the report that the
Eauk was about to "burst.
The depositors. Of course. were much
exercised over the report, and they got
together and appointed committee to
wait upon George at the bank, he being
ite sole representative, and find out re-
garding the matter.
George got wind Of their coming, and
was ready to receive them. knowing
that it would be impossible to satisfy
them, and if there was run on the
bank there would not be money enough
to last an hour, the greater portion OF
the deposits being ont at interest, George
determined on bold course. He had
thought Of way out of the difficulty,
providing he could get until tomorrow
to develop his plan. To gain this time,
he decided upon bluff.
"This bank will listen to nothing. do
nothing today" he said firmly, "To,
morrow there will be ten thousand dol
lars here; that, with what we have in
the vault, will pay every cent and leave
us with all the money we need. We
will be glad to get rid of your deposits,
and will make about thousand dollars
by the operatian, since in Withdrawing
your money before the time you forfeit
the interest. That's all today; come as
early as you please tomorrow"
The committee withdrew, and George
locked the bank and went and had an
interview with hardware merchant OF
the town.
The merchant was a firm friend OF
Mr.. Morgan's, and, having confidence
in the integrity of the absent banker
and the soundness of the bank, he fell
in with the boys plan, as outlined by
HIM, and agreed to lend him all the aid
within his power.
The result of this interview was seen
next morning, when, at exactly at nine