Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-03-21

held it up that the sheritfs might see. They nodded
their heads in approval
Seventy weight miles in ninety-fye minutcs.' one
shouted above the din.
"SIippery tracks - good timer Gordon returned;
and the train slowed up with series of Jerks before
water-tank. Here, as at Elkhom despatch was sent
off to Copper Dip. As Gordon came out of the station
he track walker in conversation with the engineer
who, leaning out Of the cab window, appeared to be
examining tie road ahead Gordon thought there was
something of anxiety in the haayertcd face and for
the first time since leaving Denver he looked at the
roadbe His gaze travelled up the track ahead until
it lost in the beyond the bridge, and look Of
apprehension Crcpt into his eyes. He looked upward
In the east, over the peaks lighter space in the mono
onous gray prcsaged break in the Clouds but the rain
still fell \ short Shrek from the engine hurried him
to the car and as he closed the door behind him. he
heard above the noise Of the train the Of the swollen
stream as it dashed under the little bridge
At the teIlers window in the First National Bank
Copper Dip the yCe-prcsident mperturbably smoked,
and closed dcpOsitOrS in smiling good
From the window in front of him, back to the door,
down the marble steps and far into the street stretched
the unbroken, whispering shutlng line OF depositors.
1t drilling outside, and grcaCoats and umbrellas
lined the pavement and overlooked onto the tracks,
seriously interfering with the progress of the one
horsed cars and calling into equston the services OF
the greater part of Copper Dips police force. At ten
O'Clock, when the heavy oaken doors of the bank had
been thrown open, the line formed and waiting.
Ever since had grown in length and restessness until
now, twelve any lingering doubt to the fate OF the
First National was dsDelled. The bank was going
Every said 50; and saying it, all guarded their
places in the line eaOusv and prayed that the assets
would hold out until their turn at the brass-ramed
window. There all sorts there; widows seeking
their mites some of which were Of very respectable
proportions; storckcepcrs, buc-Coacd railway men,
ranChcrs and stock men OF the latter there were few
and what were there held places in the far end Of the
line. The railway men were in the majority, and
seemed fear less for the safety Of their money than the
Others possibly because they held fortunate positions
in the As each depositor reached the window his
book was received by the vicc-prcsdent with polite
word Of greeting, a smiling remark the weather
Somehow, no mention OF run" was made. Com
parsons were made with unusual care The two book
keepers busted themselves the great ledgers as
though runs we're Of daily occurrence. How will
you have it?' the viCc-prcsidcnt invariably asked.
When the dcpositor requested bills, the Ccpresdcnt
rciOccd; when coin was wanted, the vice president
sllcd sigh Bills require to be counted with great
care; from the top from the bottom, twice, sometimes
All this devours time, and time what the vice
president lose To pay in coin is but the work
Of a moment; hence the vicepresdents rejoicing and
despair.
In the open drawer beside him, the vcc-prcsidcnt's
gold watch lay face upwards; the counter lay pad
and pencil; and as each deposit withdrawn,
few lightning strokes Of the pencil told the vice pcsi
dent the amount remaining in the bank. As yet there
was no need for uneasness; the figures still showed
large, and the time was but quarter after ten At
haDast ten the first telegram from Gordon was thrust