Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1904-07-24
Squire Mango..d's
Money


aim to the personal affairs of the com
rgaunity. So well did he come to know
me finances of the several families
thai he looked up, little startled
w-h&n Squire" Mangold, the white
tsearded settler of Grove'and town
ship, pushed through the brass bars OF
Na bank counter a check for nine
,lg2Drjred dollars, payable to self
Spending your wheat money so
zxun, Squire?" he asked, recalling how
gladly tremulous the depostor had
fseen when he came in with the pro-
t.sssia Of his years crop.
Well" the reply came haltingly.
{ fajnd O. needed it to-day.
sfoing to clean up the mortgage,
1agppose?"
Yes-an' a lot more"
Good for you, Squire, Kansas is
surprising the nation this year for
GMuney-making. Here you are" and
.ss9 counted out tens, twenties and
Mites into a comfortable looking pile
ut greenbacks that made the old mans
G.Fes glisten.
.Nervously the settler gathered them
+G Ills sun Drowned fingers and turned
away.
The bank door was open and the
.saaund of band muSic--loud, rapid eX-
. ,~7ting--was borne in ON the south
w71sd. Out on the edge of the town
.::.ass sWaying tents and tossing flags
III aNany nations. 1t was circus day
5ssa unwonted occasion, for circuses
seldom visited such small villages on
I'M prairies.
With his money clutched tight il:
$1ftEe pocket of his wellworn coat the
&1sattLef. followed the band to the
grounds. He waited some time and
-.@3tSen entered the side show tent
The more the young clerk thought
81 the strange action of the banks
.Nadron, the less easy he felt as to what
ZssSsht happen. His uncle had been
ei1l1ed to the county seat and he had
: !7s3 one with whom to consult. An
tzsaur later he saw the aged farmer
. rsaaning toward town. Along the dusty
tg.sad, between the little forests of sun
aDassseT, bending in the hot south wind.
;1ss came with feeble steps and slow.
agf2. entered the bank and, though
szEia-Eis greeted him cheerily, he Gov
:szfasd his face with his hands, picture
1E encouragement.
whats the matter, Squirrel" asked
@Sta clerk.
+Eyerythings the matter" broke
@-vesaaa the quivering lips. Its all gone,
.. Charlie. Ny money is gone
You don't mean it! Tell me about
~ urged the younger man sympathiz-
zmsas1y, setting chair for him behind
.if1.a counter, for the bank was deserted
.iisstMs then.
NThere amt much to tell was the
reply They told me in the tent
cd sgon nine hundred dollars by roll
a,nsss ball into box. didn't know
4 was a money game. just rolled for
.Car- Then they said must show that
Y a2ad nine hundred dollars before they
67said it. ! got it and they snatched it
ana pushed me out-and l don't know
where it is. l could have paid the
mortgage if" He could say no
more.
Harris was indignant. THE rob-
AC SACldIMCu IL = oil Oiu
game. 1 wish you'd told me first
t7'UG III make it warm for them, see if
: CON t-and maybe I'll get your
2money." He started for the door, as
IA TO go to the tents, before remember.
'wg that he was alone in charge Of the
aaak.
All the afternoon, as he counted the
,yaarncitC oaShO1 tho chpnlyc
unused over the problem. Constable
ssgad marshall were out of town (could
It have been Intentionally and he must
1fepend on his own resources.
At four o'clock the bank closed, and
half an hour later he was on his way,
xaurrying toward the show grounds.
He had several conversations with
srseang men of the village on the way,
1gfsst when he sought the manager of
the circus it was with cool conf
&ssance and determination. His west
s=cn life had taught him the value Of
assurance in meeting a crisis and had
inspired him with courage that made
Elm attempt what older men might
ia.sve feared to undertake.
Where is the manager" he de-
19aanded of the ticket seller.
He is down town somewhere
Who's at the head of the side
.sa1ow?''
Really don't know, but"
No NONSENSE want the boss right
a0w."
The ticket seller disappeared under
@iEe canvas and after a long time
lame back with man in military
xaaat.
Are you the manager of this
show" demanded Harris.
Il represent him at present"
Very we'll. | want to know what
gau mean by robbing poor old man
81 his savings!'
II do not understand what you are
talking about sir reDIied the show