The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14
tcopyrlght 1905. by the National Press

{Copyright 1908, by the National Press
AgencyD
Mr.. John Maddox, the young nanas-
or of the Gowcrland branch of the
Western United Bank, had for some
days past been so detected and de-
pressed that his pretty Wife at last
made an effort TO discover the cause.
Her husband was usually so cheerful,
and enjoyed such buoyant spirits. that
the change was therefore all the more
marked, and she felt that there must
be something seriously amiss
The manager and his wife and young
children live on the bank premises, the
communication between the bank IT.
self and their private dwelling consist
ing of large and strong oaken door,
so that when Mir. Maddox left the
lad to walk behing the broad counter
and through the big door into the pas
sage of his own house He had been
depressed since the middle of the weeh.
and when on Saturday he came in for
dinner his wife, observing that, IL
anything, his detection was deeper, de-
termined to get at the bottom of his
trouble.
Jack dear. you don't seem YOUR
self at all lately. What's happened?
Won't you tell me?" she began gent
~.
"oh. It's nothing, Clara, only the i'll
separable worries of a bankers life, he
replied, modify, al the same time pick
ing UP newspaper and holding it
before his face as If to conceal 1t from
Ills wife.
But the banks affairs never de-
pressed you before like this before; IN
fact, YOU have always told me about
your little worries with clients and
laughed over them No. no, Jack. 1t
IS not that: you are Keeping something
back from me. Didn't we agree when
we were married that we We're going
TO have no secrets from each other"
and going over to where he sat in the
big armchair by the fire she pulled
the paper away. and dropping. down on
her knees at his side took his hands ~
tween hers.
Forgive me, Clara. you are right.
should have told you before now. hut
j haven't had moral courage He
spoke in tones of shame and depair
Its serious." she exclaimed, with
zeal alarm.
Yes, I'm afraid it is, Clara. Unless
/ can get fl,500 by this day week I'm
ruined man. My home, my position.
will pass away from me. and 1 shall
be cast out into the world with you and
the children--homelesS and penniless."
You have never taken the banks
money. surely. Jack?" she cried, turn
ing pale at the thought.
NO, ! have stopped at that But
many men in my position would have
been tempted to take advantage and
use the money under my CONTROL" he
replied, quickly.
What is it. then? Tell me frankly
everything. and then we can take coun-
Sci together. Perhaps the case is not
SO hopeless as you seem to think
Thus prevailed upon, he told her how
some months befoH. he had become in
VOWED in Stock Exchange speculation;
how at first he had made money, and
then suddenly. with a crash. lost all
he possessed, and f1,250 besides. The
London brokers' with whom he had done
business demanded prompt settle
ment He paid them all the available
cash he had, and asked them to give
him time in which to pay the balance
But they refused, and as he did no
reply at once to their letter. he received
two or three days afterwards a sharl
communication from their solicitors
threatening that unless the money
t1.250--was paid within a week they
would sue him for the amount, at the
same time Informing the bank direc-
tors what had happened. In his de.
spair and terror he went to a Local
money lender and borrowed the neces-
sary sum, giving his insurance policy
and his furniture at the bank house
as security for the repayment in three
month, together with the eXbrbitant in
1erest of 1850. But he had got the
money to settle with the brokers. and
was saved the threatened disgrace, and
that he considered worth any price
switch lie might be called upon to pay
Meanwhile he had in various ways at
4 tempted to raise the sum necessary
with which to repay the money lender
but without success.
The period for which the money had
been lent expired two or three weeks
ago but he had, up to Il certain date
succeeded: in persuading his creditor
10 hold. his..hand: That morning, how
ever he had received peremptory let
ter informing him that no more. grace
could be given, and intimatinG thai
unless the money was paid in fun BY
the following Saturday at noon tn,
lender would send vans to remove hi!
furniture with view to it's sale by
auction.
II have Just seven days in which t
find the money, Clara, but 1t is i'm
possible for me to get 1t. Who wouli
lend 1t to me? What security coul'
] offer them?" he exclaimed in blanl
despair.
She might have upbraidcd him fo