Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-10-25
Beyond the Green BaiZe Door.


Biakely ever saw gha inside of the door
which shu.s ms private room al Messrs.
Blakely & stephens bank from the
narrow passage .oIaeciilg it with the
general Offices.
Mr. Blalcy w2s the sole proprietor
O. the bank, wAich was the only one IL
the small town. and showed every SEM
blance OF The soGa1est financial basis.
Mr.. Biakely vas man strangely
devoid OF eccentrici,ies. The chief
faults the E2as. slan found with him
were his iGdefatisabliiy. and that
whenever there was business to be
done in New Yorl.-sellng or buying
stock. buying cash. etc.-he invariably
attended 10 il himself.
was sitting atstke desk OF the head
cashier. VINO was away on short Holt
one of orr clients entered the coupling
room.
MIR. Boynton. look here" he said.
Slipping silver dollar upon the coun-
ter. Where did you get it?"
What's wrong with it?" | inquired.
examining II closely. without noticing
any defect. Did | give it TO you?"
Yes. Look at the edge; it's quite
smooth"
Il passed him two nalf-dollars anu
as he went away slipped the dollar
into my pocket intending to keep it as
curiosity. But later in the day.
when Mr.. Blakely was in the Office,
showed il TO him.
Curious" he murmured. zone Of
an experimental mint. no doubt. for it's
GATED 1879. Do you think we've any
others similar"
No: I Rave been through them"
Strange. Well. I'll keep it It's
probably unique"
| was disappointed at hi decision
as | wanted the coin myself 1t was
against my principles. however. 10 pro-
test. forgot it entirely until some
weeks later. when Mrs. Blakely, to the
utter astonishnent OF the banks staff,
turned IN an hoGr or so before lunch
con time.
Up TO that time. although she had
been married more than 10 months.
Mrs. Blakeiy never had heen inside the
bank. Now she drove NJ in her car
rioge. came in proudly &Hd asked fer
MIR Blalsely.
| replied that il she would step into
the waiting room would summon him
in the usual way
No. Show ne iuto his private
rooms. | am Mrs. Blakely." she said,
hastily.
Il recognize YOU. madam" replied.
But the rule is that all visitors. who
ever they may hc, arc 10 be shown Into
the waiting rcoE. whera M. Biai.ely
will interview them"
Nonsense" she calculated. Such
rules do rot refer 10 Mr.. Blakely's wife.
The room is al the end OF the passage.
is 1t not?"
You are putting me in an awkward
position i replied Il am not allowed
TO let visitors approach the green baize
door"
"Ah." Her proud eyes flashed. 50
there is n green h2ize door which no
one approaches?"
When Mr.. Blakeiy came, he did so in
his habitual leisurely manner; and he
walked into the waiting room. leaving
the door aaar.
"Mr. BllAely." she said haughtily, a.!
have been insulted by one of your
clerks. Stree when has your wife been
denied to enter your private room?"
Ever since she wrongly assumed
that she Lad s9ch = right. Mary. My
clerks have their orders; they obey
them. You cannot blame them for
UNFOLDING rules | myself have framed.
What do you want? l am busy this
morning. The market is unsteady just
now
Tell me- Richard; had you known
myas coming would you have allowed
your clerk 10 deny me access to your
private rocm?" Mrs. Blakely inquired.
THE rule is of many years standing
Mary, ne said deliberately. IF it were
set aside for you it would be the thin
end OF the wedge; my room would no
longer be private"
'lou iEcorse your clerks insult?"
Il uphold my clerk who upholds the
banks rules"
felt her brush past me as she came
out OF the room and saw her walk
round the desks. her lips tightly COM
pressed and ger head high.
The following morning when I
turned up AT the bank. the porter met
r me with the inquiry had seen any
thing OF Mr.. Blakely? no one mad
seen him since tie bank closed the
night before. lie was not in the bank
had not heen home-indeed. il was
Mrs. 8lakely who had driven down the
fist thing TO inquire about him: and
nc che had seen him.
Mr.. Boynton." she asked. have YOU
SEN my husband? You were the last
TO leave | belieye:"
''Ycs. madam. but | have rot seen
Mr. Blakely since he put you into your
carriage yesterday"
That decides IT," she muttered
Something has happened 10 him in
his room. The docr mast be forced.
Porter. so for a carpenter"
You take the whole responsibility
o. forcing the green baize door. /
suggested.
"rhe whole responsibility" she re-
FLIED.
When the carpenter arrived Mrs.
Elakely led him to the door and or
: dcred him ia force il. He smiled grim
~ as he locked the door up and down.
H.. ersl