The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-05-03
Il think you'll end in the poorhouse,
Montgomery Brewster she said, with
laugh.
CHAPTER XIII.

| CHATTER ALL.
TT was while Brewster was in the
depths of despair that his tinan-
cial affairs had a windfall One
L Of the banks in which his money
was deposited failed, and his balance
Of over 100000 was wiped out. Mis-
management was the cause, and the
collapse came on Friday, the 18th
day of the month. Needless to say, it
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
the bank could resume operations, and
If the depositors in the end realized
70 cents on the dollar they would be
fortunate. Notwithstanding the fact
that everybody had considered the in
st1tutlon substantial there were not a
few wiseacres who called Brewster a
fool and were SO unreasonable as to
|
die 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
| wi
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 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 a fair. way to
restore confidence when out came the
rumor that the Bank Of Manhattan Is
land was in trouble. Colonel Prentiss
Drew, railroad magnate, was the presi-
dent of this bank
When the bank opened for business
on the Tuesday following the failure
there was 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 Sc
rious, grew more alarmed than they
could afford to let the public see The
loans Of all of the banks were unusu-
| a 1c1
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
100000 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 could accomplish. 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 it was
too late, but Monty was obdurate. They
set it down to his desire to help Barba-
ra's father and admired his nerve.
Il understand, Monty said Brag-
don, and both he and Harrison went
among the people carelessly asking one
| Qn0fhQp ho1 TX
draw his money. "No, 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 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 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.
| AAat SHOWS It's all up"
| let out every dollar of it, Monty.
ana don't waste a minute. It's smash
as sure as fate" urged Harrison. a
1everlsh expression in his eyes.
| Brewster was admitted to the colo
nels private Office. Drew was alone
and was pacing the floor like a Gagged
animal.
"Sit down, Brewster, and don't mind
II [ seem nervous. OF course we can't
hold out, but it is terrible, terrible!
Ihey think we are trying to rob them.
They're mad-utterly mad"
Il 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