Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-09
1--WE had s1,4os,ooo odd, sir" said Wi

rect. II SHOWS tfle SSStCl Cash pttttiiiNS
in the banks hands at the present
time"
well, then, where is the difference"
Wilson Strengthened up and glanced
at the directors, and then setting his
gaze upon the chairman, said quietly:
II took 1T. sir
The members of the board started up
as if shot.
"You-took it?" they gasped in one
voice.
" / took it," said Wilson firmly
Mr. Wilson, what in heavens name
do you mean?
Il took it for myself, appropriated it
to my own use-stole 1T, II you VIII.
That's all l have to say.
Wilson" rang out an agonized voice
| at the end of the table, for heaven
| sake, you can't mean it, 1t was Mr.
Grey, his friend.
For the first time Wilson's counte-
nance changed hue.
| Mr. Grey he said, sorrowfully. the
only regret l have is on your account.
| I have stolen from your bank. l have
| betrayed my trust. Wait until l finish
| Mr.. Chairman'-he saw the chairman's
| finger on the table bell-"you may do
+, with me as you please-if you dare.
! He paused again; the situation was
! intense. He felt 1T.
| Mr.. Chairman. you. at least, VIII
! give me credit for the possession OF
a considerable amount of shrewdness.
| | have laid my plans with care In dolhs
what have done. Now, listen to me-
gentlemen. l made a reasonable re-
| quest of you a little time ago for an
! increase in salary; you know now
! reasonable was that request; you how
| you unreasonably refused to grant IL.
AS it is now, 1 am ready to take the
consequences of my act. The crime
| I say it frankly--will be no heavier
upon my conscience than does your
have brought this on yourselves.
The president interrupted him. speak
ing in choked harsh voice, like
man taken suddenly i'll:
What do you neon by all this?
wait said Wilson calmly, there
is something to be considered-the
| large payment for Eudope on Wednes-
day. How are you going to make it?'
1 The shot went home: the board VIM
ced.
81 want you to consider that" said
j Wilson. Il have an object in it. Cen
tlemen," he said, lowering his voice,
you know as well as / that If the
i bank fails to meet those obligations In
Europe, it's bound to fail for good
4 it's bound to shut up shop. Never in
this world can this bank stand loss
Of $1,O0O.000. and you know it.
II have caHed in a large number Of
!. outstanding bills, and the banks re-
ceipts today and Tuesday will be heavy.
!, With that you can pull through and
save the bank. / will concede you half
the amount took: you concede me
the rest. Agree with me absolutely not
to prosecute. Accept these terms and
/ you save the bank. If you decline the
, bank is lost"
The clock struck the hour. The
sound had Just died out when Wilson
; entered after the board had been delib-
Grating an hour on future action.
You see" he said to the directors, I
have kept my compact with you. Mr.
Grey he said, laying on the table in
front of that gentleman thick package
of notes, will you do me the favor to
, count these notes?"
Mr. Grey bent himself to the task, the
eyes of the board upon him.
why, Wilson, man." he exclaimed,
!, "all the money is here--all here!'
What" clied the board. What's
. that?"
Count for yourselves" said Grey. u
tell you it's all there
A murmur of establishment and relief
o. went around the circle.
Restitution, eh?' said one member.
r Not cried Wilson hotly.
ii He stepped to the chairman's side
and rang the bell himself.
: Send Mr.. Monroe and Mr.. Fisher
: here" he said.
nj They came.
:. "Monroe--Fisher." said Wilson quiet
ly. where did l get those notes from
/ this morning.
Q From the safe said Fisher.
who locked the safe last night?
! II did,. said Monroe, looking appre-
e hensive.
Were these notes there then
: why, of course they WERE" said
1 both.
and how long have they been there
nj to your certain knowledge
II since Saturday..
Gentlemen" said Wilson. after the
i two tellers had retired, and for the
. frs. time he betrayed considerable agi-
n tation Il not only never took the mon
ey, as you see, but, what is more,
= never intended to take it. 1t was i'm
= tended by me as a serious lesson, IL
!, be considered by this bank in particu-
- lar and by other banks in general, on
!, the iniquity of underpaying men who
hold responsible positions. l cannon
hope to retain my position here.
!, have anticipated that to some extent
for | have obtained an offer from
= Shires to take the place of their de-
ceased cashier, Mr.. Fletcher"
;. The door of the board room opened
and the directors filed out. The last
= one was Mr.. Grey.
: Mr.. Wilson, he said, "the board has
:, commissioned me to state that tnt
:, Shires cannot have you and that yot
: Unjust stay with us. even tho you force
yourself to accept salary at highel
: figure than that offered by the othel
: bank" Then Mr.. Grey went out.
: Wilson sat like one in dream. Sud
;, denly he reused himself and called t.
q the messenger:
= Tom he said, "Mr. Grey--brini
: him back He's just gone down tbs
steps. Quick!
:, Back came Mr.. Grey.
= MIR. Grey" said Wilson, extracting Z
!, bulky package of notes from the form
anaf rooLet "yOn are the only na,