Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-03
[coNTINCED.l
CHAPTER XIII.

Cldl ueu q W thuIuii. OAtC X of the banks in which his money was deposited failed, and his balance of over S1O0,000 was wiped out. Mis- management was the cause, and the collapse came on Friday, the 12th day of the month. Needless to say, # destroyed every vestige of the super < stition he may have had regarding Friday and the number thirteen.
 Brewster had money deposited in five banks, a transaction inspired by the wild hope that one of them might some day suspend operations and thereby prove legitimate benefit to him. There seemed no prospect that .fhe bank could resume operations, and If the depositors in the end realized 20 cents on the dollar they would be fortunate. Notwithstanding the fact that everybody had considered the in Sstitution substantial there were not few wiseacres who called Brewster fool and were so unreasonable as to say that he did not know how to han dle money. He heard that Miss Drew in particular was bitterly sarcastic in referring to his stupidity.
 , This failure caused a tremendous furry in banking circles. It was but natural that questions concerning the stability of other banks should be ask ed, and it was not long before many wild, disquieting reports were afloat. Anxious depositors rushed into the big banking institutions and then rush. el out again, partially assured that there was no danger. The newspapers sought to allay the fears of the peo- 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 ls- land was in troubleg Colonel Prentiss Drew. railroad magiate, was the presi- dent of this bank
 When the bank opened for business on the 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 first mildly distressed and then seeing that the affair had become se- rious, grew more alarmed than they could afford to let the public see. The loans of all of the banks were unusu- ally large. Incipient runs on some had put all of them in an attitude of eau ton, and there was a natural reluc- tance to expose their own interests to jeopardy by coming to the relief of the Bank of Manhattan Island.
 Monty Brewster had something like S20O,000 in Colonel Drew's bank. He would not have regretted on his own account the collapse of this institution, but he realized what it meant to the hundreds of other depositors, and for the first time he appreciated what his money coulsaecomplish. Thinking that his presence might give confidence to the other depositors and stop the run, he went over to the bank 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 1t was too late. but Monty was obdurate. They set 1t down to his desire to help Barba- ra's father and admired his nerve.
 q understand, Monty" said Brag- don, and both he and Harrison went among the people carelessly asking one another if Brewster had come to with draw his money. No. he has over s200.0O0. and he's going to leave It." the other would say.
 Each excited group was visited in turn by the two men, but their assur- ance seemed to accomplish but little. These men and women were 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 al once
 He wants to help you to save your money cried Bragdon In low tones. That shows it's all up.-'
 Get out every dollar of 1t. Monty. and don't waste a minute. It's smash ss sure as fate" urged Harrison. a feverish expression in his eyes.
 Brewster was admitted to the colo ner. private office. Drew was alone and was pacing tho floor like a caged animal.
 'sSit down. Brewster. and don't mind if I seem nervous Of course we can't hold out but t is terrible. terrible, They think ws are trying to rob them. -Ssey're ulsd-utterly mad-
 2 never sap anything like it. colo eel. Are you sure yOu can meet all fhe demands:- asked Brewster. thor oughly excited The eoloneI-s face was white. and he chewsd his cigar nerT- ouSly
 We can hold out unless some Of orr Leaviest deposito-s get the fever and swoop down upon us. appreciate your feelings h sH affair of this kind. coming % swiftly upon the heels Of the other. but I want 10 give yo1 my personal 2ssurance that the money vou have here is safe I called yoI in to impress you with the security If the bank. You ouxht to know she truth. however. sn1 ui1 tell you in conf dsuce that another cheek Ike Austfn's which re pz1 q few mi11tes ago. would czuss 1s seTi01s tho8E1 tempo