Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-23
Cyopypight, 1905, by George Barton.)
nv rrnnnT F9AnTtner

struggle lie was an elderly
man, and the plain black clothes, the turn
down collar, the ready-made tie and the
1nconspicuous braided cord that served az
watchchain, all suggested the substan-
tai merchant Of a past generation. lie
inquired for the collector first but finding
that ofdcial absent, turned to the chief in
Spector Of customs.
Mr. Barnes" he said speaking IN a half
whisper, do understand that you are the
direct representative Of the secretary Of the
treasury at this port7"
Hardly" smiled the chief although I
have been honored with special missions by
that member Of the cabinet"
Your exact designation is not material -
hastily remarked the visitor. you will
probably serve my purpose better than II
were to see the collector. l came on
grave business, and I wish, so far as It IL
possible, that my personality shall remain
In the background"
Barnes nodded.
you have" said the elderly gentleman,
now speaking very slowly and with great
deiiberation, "a special depository in the
United States treasury, popularity known
rs the Conscience fund"
Yes" assented the chief, there IL such
y thing in the department ct Washington"
Now" continued the other, III sum
of money were left here for the Conscience
fund It would be sent to Washington, but
would be credited to this port. Do l state
the case correotly?"
you do" said Barnes, politely.
The visitor, apparently satisfied, unbut-
toned his sack coat with great care, and,
thrusting his right hand in the inside
pocket of the garment, drew forth a long
red wallet. He opened this cautiously and
pulled oGt a little pile Of bank notes
Barnes noted that the first one was for
5000, and the discovery intensified his in
terest in the curious-looking man before
him. What was the meaning Of IT all7
What was the fellow driving att While he
was revolving these questions in his mind
he was aroused by the voice of his visitor
as he counted out the money.
zone, two three, four five, six-that's
six thousand dollars / believe"
The official examined the money and
nodded his head in assent.
"One, two, three, four; four hundred
that makes sixty-four hundred dollars"
Yes" said Barnes, arousng himself;
tS'that is the amount Of money you have
here"
Nov" said the elderly man with a re-
lieted sigh, III you will kindly give me
receipt for that money I'll not trouble you
any further"
Whats it for?" came the astonished
query
II said It was for the Conscience fund"
snapped the stranger with a show Of Inn
patience.
80 you did," agreed the chief in the
tone one uses in speaking to a spoiled child
ITO whose name shall make out this re-
ceipt2"
mot to any name" hastily exclaimed
the visitor. Ill wish II to be anonymous
I came in person because check was i'm
possible and 1 did not care to trust the
money to the mails"
quite so; quite So" said Barnes. ''If
it's agreeable shall make out a paper
saying simply that this sum Of money has
been received from the bearer, to be cred
tied to the Conscience fund"
That's entirely satisfactory" was the
brisk response.
After that," continued the chief, III you
watch the Associated Press dispatches
from Washington you will see 1t publicly
acknowledged. The secretary Of the treas
ury makes 1t point to give these to
the newspapers. 1t serves a double pur-
pose; it's a public receipt for the money
and the publication frequently has the ef-
feet Of pricking some other tender con-
science and bringing in more money"
Nothing could be more business like"
said the stranger, putting the receipt in
his pocket and bowling very low. ~ have
the honor to wish you a very good day"
Barnes sat at the desk and gazed after
the departing visitor in stunned silence
''Whew!" he presently soliloquized that $
the biggest haul the conscience net has
made in many a long day"
The roliactor oF custou,s ,ov,, In 80,
and when he learned Of the mysterious
visit and its rich result he was as much
amazed as the chief inspector. The fl VI
act of the two officials was to relieve them
selves of the responsibility OF the $500.
The money was promptly deposited in the
subtreasury and the receipt for the amount
Immediately mailed to the secretary Of the
treasury, with self-expIanatory letter
after that Barnes had time to dwell on
the incident Indeed, he found himself
unable to throw 1t OF his mind. It oc-
CURED TO him that his visitor, while out
wardy calm, was really very much agl-
tated There was a familiarity about his
face that haunted the chief Inspector He
knew It as well as he knew his own, and
yet for the life OF him he could not place
the man. As he was leaving the custom
house TO go to the wharf he almost ran
into the arms of Oficer Clancy
We'll" said the irrepresslble one. what
did the old fellow want7"
THE old fellow" he echoed unmean
inEy.
Yes old woleott?"
The name darted across Barnes mink
like a Hash OF lightning. Ills visitor wal
John W0leott OF WOlc0tt 4 Co, the biz
wool firm. The house was one OF the old
est In the city; In fact, It boasted that &
was founded by the grandfather az tn,
present head of tho hrm The COMPANY
consisted Of Adam Gates. a clever youni
fellow. a protege OF old Wolcott, who ha,
been taken into partnership the year pre-
vious Next to its age the Arm was notet
Cor its strict integrity. The chief knew
this. and he was puzzled to reconcile tn
reputation Of the house with the action o
the senior partner In paying conscienc
money to the government He turniu
this thought over in his mind when h
was aroused by the voice Of the insisten
Clancy
"wel, when you get through dreamin
7 hope you'n pay some attention TO me.
why, what Ia Il you wanty'
"Want2 / don't want anything. ! aske
you what old wolcott wanted"
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