The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-02-07

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him with a check of sub
proportions when Mr.. x. found |
to his dismay that he had either lost
his purse or left it at his apartments,
AID he thus explained the matter to
the waiter. But that worthy only gave
him a. stony stare saying shat bluff
don't 60 here" Meanwhile a we'll
dressed gentleman, dining at nearby
table, had noticed the actors predica-
ment and stepping up to the latter'S
table pressed a twenty dollar bill into
his hand with the remark that it could
be returned later. He then hurried out
before the actor could thank him. For
the restaurant in order that he might
repay the stranger. Some years later
they met at hotel and Mr.. x. insisted
upon repaying him. But the stranger
was obdurate and said: 81 can't take
that money, for you do not owe me
anything" "Well why ?" queried the
actor. because that bill was counter
feit," replied the stranger and once
more he disappeared.
If you could glance over Chief Will
kie's annual report of work done by
the Secret Service l think you would
agree with me that the phrase, "Don't
take any bad money" could be neatly
turned into, "Don't make any bad
money" with profit to more than few.
Make all the good money you like.
When the dilapidated currency
comes back to its first home in the
nations great money chest it goes
straight to what is known as the Re-
+demption Division, where it is counted
or more likely is subjected to the scru-
tiny of experts skilled in deciphering
the denomination of defaced bill.
Much of the old currency which comes
back has not only seen hard usage, but
has met with some accident which has
robbed it of all the characteristics of
its former appearance. Thus it hap
pens that Uncle Sam is often asked to
give new money in exchange for bills,
which by reason of having been burned
or buried in the ground for safe keep
ing or lost overheard from some boat
and subsequently recovered, have lost
all semblance of their former selves
and it is quite probable that the trained
experts at the treasury will, by means
of some of their wonderful tests, be
enabled to determine what the denomi.
nations of the notes were, and the ap'
plicant may get the equivalent of the
money which he probably regarded az
a dead loss.
Not much time is wasted in dispos
ing of the currency which has outlive(
its usefulness. After the money hal
been counted and recOunted and q re
cord made of it, the condemned cur
rency is taken to the basement of th'
treasury building where it is destroyed
by giant macerater. The macerate
which is in operation every day at p
M, and in which an average of one tol
is cut and slashed into unrecognizabl
form every afternoon, might be com
4 pared to giant sausage machine. 1
consists of q huge steel cylinder ii
which steel knives revolve at lightning
speed. Jets of steam are poured int
the big cylinder in order to soften tn
paper which is losing its identity a
money, the knives cut it fine and even
tually there remains only gray pulp
This is sold to souvenir manufactured
, who fashion from it the small statu
J cites sold on the streets of Washington
]l Uncle Sam takes all possible precau
tions to protect himself from dishor
esty on the part of any of the employee
who handle any of his money, new o
old. If bill or sheet of bills dlsar
, pears at either the Bureau of Engrav
:. ing and Printing or the Treasury, tn
person in whose hands it was at tn
time of disappearance is held respons
BILE, and unless the bill is, found tn
amount of its face value is deducte
: from his salary. Inasmuch ss th
government issues $500, $1,000, an
, even $4,000. notes, it will be seen ths
. any carelessness or dishonesty ma
; have very serious consequences. Ce
: tainly it would be most serious for an
employees whose salary did not amour
9 to more than the writer's for the pa.
4 three years. l219.