Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-08-01
BaIIaine's Bank Balance.

There was a crowd blocking the pave
ment and gazing with evident interest
at one of the great plate glass windows
of the Lombard National bank. vt a
distance it looked like a run" but a
closer view showed the entrance of the
bank unobstructed. \ notice, written in
a bold hand, and hung inside the window,
was the object of the crowds Curiosity.
1t read:
AT the opening of this bank today
Mr.. T. Fillmore Ballaines balance was
E2117 les Sd"
For two weeks similar notice had APP
peared regularly upon the window of the
bank. 1t began on a Monday morning,
and the few that glanced at il learned
that Il. Fillmore Ballaine had $3.50 Is.
Id therein. Who Il. Fillmore Baliaine
was no one seemed to know, and why
the bank should make public a matter
none could guess. But everyone who
read it puzzled over it, and looked up at
the notice the next time they passed the
Lombard National bank.
On Tuesday the notice read $500 Us.
I'd, and on Wednesday it read 1876 9s.
I'd. in the morning, but was replaced at
the hour of closing by a new notice,
which read f720 10s. Sd. BY Thursday
the affair was in the papers, and on Fri
day the daily balance was the topic of
the town. All day long on Saturday a
crowd stood at the big window and dis
cussed Mr.. Ballaine's balance of 1880
Is. Sd, and passed comments thereon.
At the hour of closing a new notice
proclaimed that Mr.. Bal!aine had had
t1499 lbs lid therein, and some wag
in the crowd gravely passed his hat,
saying: Lets make it even moneyp
On Monday morning Mr.. Ballaine was
surprised to find that someone had left
deposit of one penny for him, and
that his balance stood at an even f1500.
During the second week Mr. Ballaine's
bank balance climbed more slowly; but
every increase was hailed with delight
10y the crowd in front of the window.
who know neither Mr.. Ballaine nor the
secret of his peculiar advertisement, yet
who thoroughly enjoyed both.
Not till Wednesday of the second week
did the notice in the window crdit Bal
laine with E160O. Then a man in the
crowd offered to bet q hundred that it
would touch $1,000 by Saturday. For
moment the crowd thought he must
be Ballaine, and guyed him unmerciful-
ly, but someone recognized him as q civ
sporting man, and his bet was not taken.
Thursday was the tenth of the month,
and Mr.. Ballaine evidently paid few
bills. for on Friday the balance in the
window went down to f14S6. where II
hung till the close of business of Satur-
day. Then the clerk put up a new
notice, and the eager crowd cheered
when it read-f2200 los 4d.
On Monday morning q portly man.
ruddy' of face, grizzled and grumbliny
pushed into the crowd and read the
holGe. With grunt of disgust he en-
tered the bank. The cashier recognized
him as one Of his heaviest depositors
and greeted him pleasantly. '''''' :
Good morning. Mr.. Penny"
Good morning. | heard about your
remarkable window, and came to have
look. Strikes me as being ridiculous
| don't see how YOU can allow H." said
Mr.. Penny, removing his silk hat and
wiping moist brow,
Mr.. Ballaine obtained permission
from the manager" replied the cashier,
He did, Ell? Who is this man Bel
laine!"
"A young solicitor, Very bright fell
low, quite original in his methods. This
plan was his own. He brought enough
influence to bear through his friends TO
OBTAIN the necessary permission from the
powers that be-. 1t has proved a re-
markable attraction to the public"
''N'ibHs tA W no were tneN
The cashier enumerated some of the
most prominent of the younger business
men of the city.
All right" Interrupted the capitalist
with the air of a man who had heard
displeaNng news. When the Young man
comes in tell him he wins" Then he
left the bank.
The cashier smiled, for he knew what
Ballaine'S winning" meant and he re-
ported the conversation 10 the manager
But the crowd outside knew nothing az
this, and only gaped as usual nj the
sign. That day it dropped to 1920 9s
I'D, and remained there for ten days
when it jumped to $40 400 lis. 2d Thai
night the evening papers proclaimed the
sale of Mr.. Penny's famous riverside
MANSION for n fabulous sum. and con
vey~d the interesting information;
The deal was consummated by r
illn,0Fe Baliaine. n solicitor in Essex
ambeFs, whose commission on this deal
ne il fS4SO.'
ext day many people looked nm at
biz window Of the Lombard Ma
!, bat there was no trace of Mr..
a mes balance. Ia its accustomed
la hung sign. which read: