The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-03-11

IL. 1909.
of the directors of the Stuff National
Bank and they passed resolution to !
the effect that the stockholders of the
bank must make good the amount of
the shortage, $445,oO0. This is always
easier said than done The banks
CAPITA stock vas 100000, surplus
$175, 900 and cash capital and surplus
at the moment were wiped out-more
than wiped out.
AT about two p. m. that day 1 tele-
phoned Brown the president to come
over and see me in New York as l
might help him. He arrived at about
six o'clock and l invited him out to
dinner. He was cold, calculating,
shrewd Yankee business man.
"After explained things to him l
said: L can reach Smith. He has
1901, $50 of the banks funds in his pos
session and upon release would ad-
wise him to return $271,75O, keeping
$4,000, about ten per cent of the
amount for himself
emo said Brown, well never con-
sent to it. always knew Smith was
a villain and a scoundrel-I could read
it IN his eyes. So he speculated with
the banks funds and lost, eh? Well,
we'll push him to the limit and we'll
get all of the 1901 600 and his home.
He's bonded for $4,000 and that will
cut our loss down to less than $10O, 600.
Counselor Eagau, you're asking me to
compound felony and I'll beeternally
damned before Ill do 1t. My integrity,
my honor, my reputation-eyerything
is at stake
"'Brown, said l. that's all very good
and hign sounding, but business is
business. have card up my sleeve
that takes the trick. You know officers
Of national banks are forbidden to
borrow funds OH one-name paper and
cannot put l: .. US in the paying tel
ler's drawer for $4,000 and $4,000 for
one minute without becoming liable to
the charge of embeZzlement. The fact
that you have made good does not al
ter tie situation. II Smith goes over
the read as surely as my name Is Eagan,
you go too
"After that the atmosphere clarified.
He yree1 to take the matter up with
| the directors to boil several hours con-
versation in.O few lines.
"The next cay about three p. m. Mr..
Brown called to say he had talked with
all of the directors and they agreed to
take'the 1901 900 and release Smith.
s'No,' said l, my proposition goes
and if you do not accept my offer, re-
lease Smith, take $271, $50, make good
Smiths shortage to the bank and see
that Mrs. Smith is supplied with 81 ,000
for temporary needs will turu the
money in Smiths possession over to
the comptroller of the treasury as sure
as am Counselor Eagan.
"The next day the proper releases
were duly executed and delivered into
my hands whel eupon opened the box
took out $30,OO0in bills and turned ths
: remainder over to Mr. Brown, includ
: ing my certified cleck for the $71, $50
This close 1 the transaction AMI the lit
: tie blue envelope was showed unde
Smiths door about four p. m. that day
81 learned afterward the Hawkshav
bank examiner called the day negotia
tions wee closed but the assistan
cashier had taken him off on bat
He was too full of champagl e to un
dertake an examin alton for week
In tie meantime everything was ike,
up SO far as the banks relations to tn
2 government were concerned.
"The little blue envelope went unde
] ESmith's door as said about four p. m
: of the second day. In about tiftee
q minu'es he was at my Office counte
out $i5, 900 an handed them to him.
il "sSmith,' said /, those papers are no
j. worth a picayuge legally. They al
+ only good morally. If these fellow
: want to prosecute you they can do 81
K Tie PomeIania leaves for Rio de JAM
= iro at eight a. m. tomorrow. Hay
j, your beard shaved off. Go over [
( Sound & Co.'s with my card and /
{. yourself out with light togRery for ths
le climate. I will then 60 to the doc
10 with you, arrange for your passage an
6 you-wiIl be permitted to board the We