The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-02-06
HE STOLE A FORTUNE
AND YET HE WAS AN HONEST AND
FAITHFUL BANK EMPLOYEE.
The Directors Did Not Think His
Honesty Was to His Credit, and He
Adopted a Novel Method of Making
Them Change Their Minds.

Them Change Their Minds.
They were sitting in the cafe Of a big
hotel up town and, being Wall street
men, were discussing financial institu'
tions. One Of them was commenting on
the ease with which bank employees at
times steal money when he was inter
rupted by another Of the party.
DO you see that man over there look
ing in at the doorY"
lie pointed to n man with a command
ing figure, keen eyes and an aristocratie
bearing. who, as he spoke, turned away
from the entrance TO the cafe.
There goes man who stole SGOO,'
600 and never went TO Jail for it. Fur
thermore, he Is a thoroughly honest
man."
This paradoxical statement caused q
general look of inquiry and n chorus OF
"HOw was thatT
Then this story was told:
THAT man-call him Brown, because
that's not his name-was trife more
than a year ago paying teller in one Of
the largest banks in the neighborhood Of
Wall street. He was quiet and reserved
and apparently had few friends and ae'
Qualntances. He seemed TO live for busi'
ness alone, and his coworkers in the bank
dubbed him the sphinx
AT the meeting Of the bank directors
one day the secretary read letter from
Mr.. Brown. In Il he apologized for OBJ
truding personal matters upon the august
body, but he respectfully asked for a
raise Of salary. He was to be married,
he said, and he felt that his salary OF
50, 800 a year was inadequate to his
needs. The usual formula followed, In
which he spoke Of his long and faithful
services and ended by requesting that he
be raised to $500 year. No action
was taken on the letter at the time. 1t
passed into the pile Of unfinished busi-
ness and was soon forgotten.
"a week later the directors held anoth-
er meeting. In the course Of II Mr..
Brown begged for hearing and renewed
verbally his request for an advance Of
salary. The directors, some Of them
crusty old codgcrs who had made their
fortunes, did not take kindly to the prop
osition.
"'Why. Mr.. Brown said one, we
think you are receiving good salary for
the position you occupy. Paying tellers
at $500 a year are plentiful. We know
you have been good and faithful serv-
ant, and in return we have paid you for
your services. That's about even, isn't
itT
"'Yes, sir; ! admit that said Brown,
but there are certain moral obligations
to be considered. For instance, | have
had free access to the enormous wealth
of this bank. Millions Of dollars have
passed through my hands, and my ac-
counts have been right TO a penny. Had
l desired
"'0h, that's absurd, you know broke
in another director. Our system here Is
so perfect that il would be impossible for
any one to take a dollar and not be de-
tected.'
Brown smiled Il bitter sort Of smile
and. apologizing for his temerity, abb
ruptly withdrew. II was noticed that on
his way TO his desk he paused a minute
at the cavernous aperture that marked
the entrance to the vault. \ few min
utes later he left the bank and did not re-
turn. That evening as the accounts for
the day were being balanced It was found
there was a shortage Of 100000 In the
funds. Instantly there was consterna-
tion. The president and directors were
summoned to n conference. Quick action
was necessary. In the morning the news
of the defalcation would be public, and
practical ruin stared them in the face.
EARLY next morning Brown was in his
usual place. He looked calm and as i'm
perturbable as ever. The directors came
in to discuss the best course TO pursue.
Brown was sent for TO see IL he could
throw any light upon the subject.
"'Mr. Brown said one OF the direct
ors, this bank has been robbed Of $780,
OOO'
"'Yes, SIR said Brown. 4 took it,
His hearers started. YOU gasped
one-'you who prated TO us Of honesty!
Why, what do you mean? Do you
know
"Yes, sir, l know all about II. The
worst you can do is to give me ten years
imprisonment. Allowing for commuta-
tion for good behavior, the sentence will
be reduced between two and three years
At the expiration of that time l will still
have the 100000 to live upon. Now LEI
me submit a proposition. You sign n pa
per acquitting me Of all blame and guar
anteeing me immunity against punish
ment, and | will return TO you $300,000
reserving the balance to support myself
In some foreign country. Then there vii
be no scandal. The credit Of the banl
will be preserved. and you will be gain
er by the transaction
There was silence for a moment, thel
one Of the directors said: We must hav,
time to consider this. Please Withdraw
until we. have discussed the matter
Brown smiled and went out. Fifteel
minutes later he was sent for.
1--WE accept your terms, Mr.. Brown
said one Of the magnates stiffly. Civ
us 100000, and we will agree not I
prosecute
"Half an hour later Brown hande'
over to the directors 100000. The mon
ey was carefully counted. a receipt give
for it and in addition document signe
by all present insuring him against q
legal complications.
Brown turned as II to go. There wa
a dramatic pause; then, drawing a bulk
package from his pocket, he tossed it o
the table, saying carelessly: There
the other 100000, gentlemen. had II
wish to steal from you. / am an homes
man, no matter what may be my othC
| failings.
L made fair request Of you and wa
told that honesty was not considered
| the affairs Of this institutional lea,
| that was the purport Of your words.
simply wanted to show you what a con
| paratively easy matter II would be
wreck your institution despite your VII
ilance in guarding the funds. That is a
j wish TO say. Good morning
'Mr. Brown. whom you saw going u
stairs concluded the narrator Of tn
true tale. "is now the vice president Of Il
bank from which he stole 100000.
New York Mail AMI Express.
- The "WhIte Mans Big Sleep"
VVoetroi;ap aIoripinoe coll Cuudov tfl