Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-31

die money. He heard that Miss Drew
in particular was bitterly sarcastic in
referring to his stupidity.
This failure causetrta tremendous
furry In banking circles. 1t was but
natural that questions concerning the
stability Of other banks should be ask
ed. and II was not long before many
wild. disquietinR reports were a1oat.
Anxious depositors rushed into the
big banking institutions and then rush
ed out again, partially assured that
there was no danger. The newspapers
sought to allay the fears Of the PEG.
pie, but there were many to whom
fear became panic. There were short,
wild runs on some Of the smaller
banks, but all were In fair way to
restore confidence when out came the
rumor that the Bank OF Manhattan 10.
land was In trouble. Colonel Prentiss
Drew. railroad magnate. was the presi-
dent Of this bank.
When the bank opened for business
on tho Tuesday following the failure
there was a stampede Of frightened
depositors. Before II o'clock the run
had assumed ugly proportions. and no
amount Of argument could stay the on
slaught. Colonel Drew and the direct
ors, at nrst mildly distressed and then
seeing that the AFFAIR had become Sc
rious. grew more alarmed than they
could afford TO let the public see. The
loans Of all Of the banks were ,v,usu-
ally large. 1neipient runs on some had
put all Of them in an attitude OF eau
ton. and there was a natural reluc-
lance to expose their own interests to
jeopardy by coming to the relief Of
the Bank of Manhattan Island
Monty Brewster had something like
eeOO.OOO in Colonel Drew's bank. He
would not have regretted on his own
account the collapse Of this institution.
but he realized what 1t meant to the
hundreds Of other depositors. and for
the first time ne appreciated what his
money could accomplish Thinking that
his presence might give confidence to
the other depositers and stop the run,
he went over to the hank with Harri-
son and Bragdon. The tellers were
handing out thousands Of dollars TO the
eager depositors. His friends advised
him strongly to withdraw before IL was
too late. but Monty was obdurate. They
set II down to his desire to help Barba.
PAS father and admired his nerve.
II understand. Monty" said Drag
don. and both he and Harrison went
among the people carelessiy asking one
another II Brewster had come to with
draw his money. mo. he has over
100000. and he's going to leave IT,"
the other would say.
Each excited group was visited in
turn by the two men. but their ass,,r-
ance seemed to accomplish but little.
These men and women We're there to
save their fortunes; the situation was
desperate.
Colonel Drew. outwardly calm and
serene. but inwardly perturbed. finally
saw Brewster and his companions. He
sent a messenger over with the request
that Monty come to the presidents pri-
vate Office at once.
"He wants to help you to save your
money cried Bragdon in low tones.
'"rhat shows it's all up
Get out every dollar Of it. Monty.
and don't waste a minute. It's smash
as sure as fate" urged Harrison, q
feverish expression In his eyes.
Brewster was admitted to the colo.
nel's private office. Drew was alone
and was pacing the floor like Gagged
animal.
"Sit down, Brewster, and don't mind
II seem nervous. or course we can't
hold out. but it is terrible, terrible
They think we are trying to rob them.
They're mad-uttcrly mad
II never saw anything like it. colo
mel. Are you sure you can meet all
the demands?" asked Brewster thor.
oughly excited. The colonel's face was
white. and he chewed his cigar nerv.
ously.
I'VE can hold out unless some Of our
heaviest depositors get the fever and
swoop down upon lis. l appreciate
your feelings in an affair Of this kind
coming so swiftly upon the heels of
the other. but l want TO give you my
personal assurance that the money you
have here is safe. I called You in to
impress you with the security OF the
bank. You ought to know the truth
however. and / will tell you in conf.
dence that another check like Austins
which we paid a few minutes ago
would cause us serious though tempo
rarv cmho rr9 Ssment"
II came to assure you that I have
not thought Of withdrawing my de-
posits from this bank. colonel. You
need have no uneasiness''-
The door opened suddenly. and one
Of the officials Of the bank bolted in
side. his face as white as death. lie
started to speak before he saw Brew
ster and then closed his lips despair
ingly.
"What Is It. Mr.. Moore?" asked Drew
"a calmly Ms possible. Don't mind Mr.
Brewster"
"Oglethorp wants TO draw $3.50. 900. u
said Moore in strained tones.
"We)l, he can have 1t. can't hep
asked the colonel quietly. Moore look
ed helpleasly at the president Of the
bank. and his silence spoke more plain
ly than words.
brewster. It looks bad said the
colonel, turning abruptly to the youns
man. 1.-THE other banks are afraid OF
q run. and we can't count on much
help from them. Some of them have