The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-03-22

Il promised you Id come" he said in
a hurried way as he met Dunham's glad
smile. Then he hastily went on as if fear
full that his resolution would not last:
Il want TO tell You just who | am. | was
foolishly glad yesterday that you did not
remember it, but | am Benton Trip, the
defaulting bank teller" Dunhlm's bright
eyes regarded him steadily, and he mois-
tened his lips and went on. My home is
up in New Hampshire, and when | left
college my relatives thought it would be
fine to secure me Il place in the local
bank. 1t was a mistake. | wasn't fitted
for the work. | had strong business in
stincts. The restraints of telcr'S posi-
ton were irksome to me. The salary was
small, but that didn't worry me. There
was all | needed for my personal wants.
But | studied the markets early and late.
and knew that with little assistance |
could bring handsome yields from small
investments. | was wild to speculate in
something. One day | was :. NJ 10 Bos-
ton on the banks business and overheard
a conversation in the train that convinced
me certain section of land in the city
might speedily be utilized for railway
purposes. Filled with the idea of sue
cessful speculation | hurried to the own
ers of the apparently waste land adjoin-
ing the railway section and secured an
option on it for 90 days.
Before the option expired | took Sl2,-
600 from the bank and paid for the piece.
OF course | told myself it was only loan
to be paid back with generous interest.
1t was only n question of keeping it dark
for few weeks, and then the discovery
nf,.l1y I
defaulter. My act was published to the
world. At the solicitation of my distract
ed friends | was not arrested turned
over the land to the bank, understanding
that the president, Mr.. Jataz Pringle.
bought it in personally ut something less
than | paid for it-and vet that very
piece, as | afterWard found out, must
have trebled in value within 60 days aft
er | left the place, for my friends made
up purse for me and sent me abroad
They are an honest lot, ana there was
no longer any home for me there |
knocked about for year or so, finding
little or nothing to do, and then | sunk
my pride and got this Monaco Job. I've
paid off every cent | borrowed, but have
heard nothing from any of my friends for
many months. They are honest folk and
are quite right in casting me off And So
you see, | was right when told you it
would do you no good to know me-"
'Sit down." said Durham gently.
My heart warmed to YOU murmured
Benton a little brokenly. "You were my
countryman and from my colege-from
amid those associations that were the
happiest of my life You can't imagine
what it is to feel that you are morally
cut off from both your country and your
countrymen."
Il know what it is to be physically cut
of" said Durham with little smile. He
put out his thin hand. Wont you sit
down, BentonY'
That night Durham told his father
Benton's story.
"a bad start" said the astute capital
ist, but perhaps lasting lesson. Jahez
Pringle, eh? I'll talk with the boy tomor-
row. I've a little nut to or ck with that
old flint myself" And he chuckled slight
ly
He saw and talked with Benton alone
When they parted, he turned to Dun
ham. Good stuff in the lad yet he said
TELLS me he has never Gaml cents
worth at Monaco. Going To ave there
tomorrow and is coming over here. I'll
write to Breed tonight and have him iaI
sharp pole at that old hornet of q
Pringle.'
And so the next morning letter went
forth from the Front hotel addressed e
Hon. j. Burlington Breed. the eminent
counselor at law. whose 1littcring shin.
gle hangs high on Broad way IN AN.
sWer came in due course Of time. an an
swer that made the usually phlcgmatit
fnancier chuckle with delight.
Call up your friend, Dummy" he said
We got some news for him"
1t was good news. of course. Lawyer
Breed, backed by divers causes. had put
the screws to the hinty prinsc TO ex.
cellcnt purpose.
Hes going to publish a statement
/ over his own name in the home papers
that your trouble with the bank was all
due to an unfortunate MISUNDERSTANDING
and that your good name has been hand
somciy re-established Further than this
he has paid over to you a neat sum of
money, representing onc-half the profits S
arising frczi the sale OF he land that
brought about your trouble ON one condi-
tion-no publicity is to be made of the
story. Amt Breed a hummer?' And
he laughed again.
Benton took the good news very
graycy.
What will you do now" Durham
asked him as he pressed his hand
Get back to Gods country as soon as
l can" he replied.
Going home?"
mo" said Benton. It's home
longer I'll go to New York and sta
in afresh." lie turned to Dunham'-
ther. How can | thank you?" he said
pooh, pooh!' growled the capita
Don't thank me. I'm no sentimental
! should have been as hard on you as ol
Pringle | suppose. Thank Dummy
Cleveland Plain Dealer