The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-21

Peter Potter had made UP his mind. He
sent Tom, his old colored man, over to
the Ninth National with a note asking
President Winters to call during the
| afternoon.
At o'clock the old banker came in,
looking puzzled and perturbed. Potter
noted that the bank presidents custom
airy manner of professional dignity failed
to entirely cover a certain furtive re-
straint which showed itself in his eyes
and IN the nervous twitching OF the mus
cles about his mouth.
Your note was tribe unusual, Mr..
Potter" Mr.. Winters began.
Yes" answered Peter Potter coolly.
$50 was my reason for sending 1t. Please
sit down"
Mr.. Winters sat down uncertainty on
the edge of chair and proceeded to
nervously stroke his short, white beard.
81 called you over here" the privateer
went on, TO ask how much of the funds
of the Ninth National bank you have
invested in backing the Fuller wheat cor
ner."
The old banker sprang to his feet.
'What do you mean by asking me such
question:" he asked hotly.
MI Winters" Potter went on, speak
ing in a level tone of voice. Il know that
you are involved in that wheat deal. I
know that you have used the funds of
the bank"
The banker grew angry, clustered.
threatened finally broke down and plead
pitifully for mercy. Within an hour Pot
ter knew that the bank was involved to
the extent OF half a million dollars.
by noon tomorrow" he said finally,
II shall make arrangements to replace
the money you have taken from the
bank. And l shall take the management
of the wheat deal entirely off your
hands,
The old banker looked at him incredu-
lously. "Why--what reason" he stam-
mered.
Il don't want to see your daughter
forced to marry young Ike Wagner
broke in Peter Potter That's one rea-
SON."
Mr. Winters face flushed fiery red.
That's a private matter" he said with
pitiful attempt at his old dignity.
mo- Winters" replied the privateer.
"rhe trouble is that you're afraid of old
Ike Wagner. I'm not afraid of him. He
can't prove anything on you. can he?'
NO. said the banker hesitatingly.
THAT is. he has no proof now. If the
securities are replaced he couldn't"
i They'll be ready before noon tomor-
row." Peter Potter interrupted. Well
call in the bank examiner in the after
, noon. When he reports everything as
III should De, tne ola man Will nave no
| further hold on you"
Astonishment and relief shone in Win
ter's eyes. But what are you doing
this for Potter" he asked.
Il want to collect the balance of a debt
that old Ike Wagner owes me-" answered
, the Privateer. Sat the same time I'll be
paying debt that I've been owing for
more than twenty years"
That evening Peter Potter told Billy
Maginn in a general way what he had
done. Your future father-in-law got bad
l. mixed up In a business deal" he said.
ut isn't necessary to go into details. but
certain important financial interests got
the old man into corner and threatened
to ruin him. Margaret was trying TO help
her father. I've fixed things so that it
won't be necessary for her to do any
thing further. In fact, II you should so
over to the house about Friday evening
l expect you'd find somebody glad to see
| you"
The boy sprang up, his whole face shin
iny with joy and gratitude. You mean
it's all right again. Mr.. Potter" he burst
out
eth be all right again by Friday night,