The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-09

Monty Brewster had something like
$4,000 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 could accomplish. Thinking that
his presence might give confidence to
The other depositors and stop the run,
Ne went over to the bank with Harri-
son and Bragdon. The tellers We're
handing out thousands Of dollars to the
eager depositors. His friends advised
him strongly to withdraw before it was
Zoo late, but Monty was obdurate. They
set It down to his desire to help Barba-
ra's father and admired his nerve.
AI understand, Monty" said Brag-
don, and both he and Harrison went
among the people carelessly asking one
another il Brewster had come to with
draw his money. NO, he has over
$20a0e0, and he's going to leave it."
fhe other would say.
Each excited group was visited in
turn by the two men, but their assur-
sance 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-
Eate Office at 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 it, Monty,
sand don't waste minute It's smash
as sure as fate" urged Harrison, a
feVeriSh expression In his eyes.
Brewster was admitted to the colo
ners private Office. Drew was alone
and was pacing the floor like Gagged
animal.
Sit down, Brewster, and don't mind
1f I seem nervous. OF course we can't
hold out, but 1t is terrible, terrible.
They think we are trying to rob them.
They're mad-utterly mad"
-I never saw anything like it, colo
mel Are you sure you can meet all
the demands? 2" asked Brewster, thor
oughly excited. The ccloners face was
white, and he chewed his cigar nerv-
ously
We can hold ont un1ess,some OF our
heaviest depositors get the fever and
sWDup down upon US. appreciate
your feelings in an affair Of this kind.
eonang so swiftly upon the heels Of
the other, but 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,
howeFer, and I will tell you in conf
sdenee that another check like Austin's,
which we paid a few minutes ago,
would cause us serious though tempo
rary embarrassment"
q 81 came to assure you that I have
not thought Of Withdrawing my de
posts from this bank, colonel. You
need have no uneasiness"
B The door opened suddenly, and one
OF the officials Of the bank bolted in
side, his face as white as death. He
started to speak before he saw Brew
ster and then closed his lips despair
ingly-
q ssWhat is it, Mr.. Moore?" asked Drew
as calmly as possible Don't mind Mr..
Brewster"
4oglethorp wants to draw s25o,o0o,"
said Moore in strained tones.
.Well, he can have it, can't he?
asked the colonel quietly. Moore look
ed helplessly at the president Of the
bank, and his silence spoke more plain
" than words.
8 Brewster, it looks bad said the
colonel, turning abruptly to the young
man. The other banks are afraid OF
"a run, and we can't count on much
help from them. Some Of them have
helped us and others have refused.
Now, / not only ask you to refrain
from drawing out your deposit, but I
want you to help us in this crucial
moment The colonel looked twenty
years older, and his voice shook rer-
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