The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-01
A Run On The Rothnore
Bank.
BY RALPH RYIIAN.

Briggs sank back with a sigh of relief
and satisfaction into a seat in COM
partment of the luxurious class which he
always patronized when travelling in the
interests of the Bank He nestled into
the softness ofthe upholstery and realized
that there were some compensations for
for an early rise and hurried breakfast,
and scramble to catch the train
AT the first stopping place the only
other occupant of the compartment
alighted, and Briggs decided that it
would not be beneath his dignity to dis
pose of the balance of his breakfast to 4
more suitable place than his pocket.
Thus occupied, the journey passed quick
ly, and, rs he crumpled up the greasy
paper and brushed the crumbs off his
coat, the train drew up at Rothmorc.
He opened the door slowly to enable
an acquaintance who might be within
view to observe from whence lie came,
and descended in the staid manner brtit-
ting the occupant of frst-claSs COM
partment.
AS fifteen minutes still remained before
the hour of opening, he wendell his
stately way towards the Bank as though
time were of the slightest possible in
portance.
The branch office of Glynchiid's Bank
at Rothmore was but q small establish
ment and the attendance of one clerk and
an office boy once a week was amply
sufficient to meet the needs Of the inhabit-
ants. The work suited Briggs. 1t was
important position there i'll the eyes OF
the outside world. "A cashier of Glyn-
childs Bank is no mean thing said
Briggs.
He.walked up the steps as the boy WAS
unbolting the door, and jerking nod in
the direction of the bolt, he passed into
the office. Unlocking the safe, he took
out the books. gave with their assistance
a businesslike appearance to the counter,
and then sat himself down before the
till
The till-as his eyes fell upon it, h1I-
rible thought flushed across his mind,
and his hands darted vigorously from
pocket to pocket. A cold, creepy sensa-
ton came over him. Surely he had not
left behind him the hundred pounds for
making the payments out during the
day. He fingered through his pockets
again, searching every crevice, and then
in desperation he took down his hat and
twirled it in his fingers, whether in the
forlorn hope of finding the money inside,
or of solving the difficulty by putting it
on his head, and quitting Glynchild'S
Bank forever, would be difficult to say.
If the former was the case he WAS dis
appointed by finding that on this occasion
he had not used his head-gear as Il tcm-
porary strong room; and, if the latter, he
apparently thought better of it, for, re-
placing the hat on its peg, he returned to
his seat by the till and gazed fiercelv at
the entrance door.
81 shall be all right, vet thought
Briggs, 'if only someone will pay in
first" The matter did not remain long
in doubt. A lady, tail and of a severe
type of countcnance, entered the Bank.
Adjusting her pince.ncz she drew a
cheque from her handbag and presented
it for payment. A cold sweat broke out
on Briggs forehead, and he took up the
cheque with fingers which tremblcd.
His eyes raced up and down the paper,
seeking for a flaw.
Pay to Miss Amelia Spcarpoint or
order. the sum of twenty pounds"
He turned it over; yes, endorsed
amelia Spearpoint There could be
no question about it. But it was drawn
on another branch of the Bank, and,
although Briggs was aware that this
cheque came regularly each week, and
that the branch had special instructions
to honor it, he clutched at the opportu-
nifty. and expressing great regret pointed
out the defect.
Dear me" said Miss Spearpoint, 1--WE
never had the chcque questioned before.
must strongly protest against mere
boys coming here who know nothing of
what they ought to do" Looking him
up and down as though he were cabby
and she was intent on getting his num-
Der, Miss Amelia Spcarpoint bounced out
of the Bank
On any other occasion, Briggs would
probably have forcibly expressed his in
dignation regarding the epithct, Int
under present circumstances he WAS
thankful to get off so lightly, BY this