The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-27

anu gave uolISaSS. ~ uoheh oSo
I got the rest of my money from
Wisconsin and [ put it in the bank
here. Day before yesterday three
men came along and wanted to buy
the place-offered me $1,000 If l could
show [ was able to pay the mortgage
off. SO came to town yesterday
aud got the money, and this morning
we struck the bargain and they count
ed out their cash and 1 counted out
mine and they put it all in box and
sealed il and give it 10 my daughter
Matilda to keep until tomorrow, but
after they left we got kinder curious
and"
"You opened the box and found
nothing but paper" interrupted Heath.
"Old man, you have been buncoed-
swiudled."
Mr.. Faith fell back in his chair as
if in u faint, but suddenly he Jumped
up, eXcluniing, "rhere they 20, now!
There they ~, now!" and tore out oi
the office after them, the sheriff and
Health following and all shouting at
three men in a wagon.
The men evidently did not know
exactly what to do. Apparently they
first meditated fight, but when they
saw Sheriff Price draw from the recess
ses of his wardrobe an ugly looking
gun, discretion made them ha t, ana
where the team stopped was almost in
front of the Brandle bank. ..
At that moment the eXcitment was
greatly iutenified by the appearance
Of faXen haired, bIue-eyed and alto.
gether attractive young woman, wing
was crying hysterically and asking
her father if they would get back their
money.
One of the three men in the wagon
jumped down and asked Mr.. Faith If
ne would talk the matter over
privately. He invited Mr.. Faith into
the bank, and with perfect sangfrOid
asked the cashier if they might use
the private room for a few minutes.
Miss Faith insisted on accompany
ing her father, and when he said it
was not necessary she replied, with
great temper: you've made u fool
of yourself once to-day, and you shan't
do it again if can help it,"
After the interview, which lasted
less than ten minutes, Mr.. Faith came
out with bis daughter close behind
him. When he started for the door
she grabbed him by the coat and said:
No, you don't. Put the money back
in the bank-every cent Of 1t. Don't
90 out with it, or you'll lose it again."
The old man acted us if dazed, but
did as he was bid, and showed through
the grating 10 new one-hundred-dollar
note-. The cashier looked at them
sharply. then put them under q
microscope, and finally said: 81 don't
like this new money, 1t may be count
erfeit."
"They're the bills we got from you,"
said the well dressed man, speaking
to Mr.. Faith.
"That's lie," was the response.
~ gave you the ones 1 got from the
bank, and you know those weren't the
ones," addressing the cashier.
The cashier corroborated him.
The well-dressed man seemed knock
ed out and called his associates in.
There was hurried conference and
they asked to have another conference
with Mr.. Faith. 1t was granted, and
the young lady again stood by her
father, to the manifest admiration of
the gathered population.
She came out with him and steered
him straight to the cashiers desk and
another pile OF notes was pushed
through the grating.
"This is the money [ paid out to
you yesterday, " was the comment of
cashier, whom the eXcitment was max
ing so nervous that he had to say
something or faint.
"That's right, " said Mr.. Faith.
"And you can give that o'her stuff
back TO the men. l only want my
own and 1 feel pretty low down
ashamed for making such fool ofmy-
self"
Here Heath and the sheriff, who
had been watching the proceenings
and had kept a faithful eye upon the
three men, came forward.
"You are ready now to swear out q
a warrant against these men," said
Heath to Mr.. Faith.
"Father" said the girl, "don't you
do another thing, but come right
home with me-"
But" said Heath, 1--WE must have
something to arrest these men for-we
must have his complaint"
II dont't want nothing else to dc
with'em," replied Mr.. Faith, with
emphasis. In vain did Heath and
the sheriff try to stop him. He had
all he wanted, his money was safe in
the bank and he was not going 10
bother with anything or anybody
any longer:
Heath told the sheriff to watch the
men while he had a talk with the
cash er.
Can you swear that these notes are
counterfeit 2" he asked.
The cashier paused, looked, flushed
and stammered. His self-possessior
was gone. 81 suspect they are," he
said, "but couldn't swear TO it.
really don't know. II" and he
broke down.
"Then you don't know whether
they are or not ?"
And to this he gave reluctant
!, mo"
When the spokesman found how
things were going he simply walked
J to the cashier and asked for the return
of the money, and noone could keel
him from getting it. Then, with
bow to the attoney and the sheriff, h
said: "Gentlemen, as you have moth
ing against us, trust you Will perml
us to resume our Journey" and witt
set faces they drove off.
| Hath and the shariff held man