The Dolores star., 1909-06-18
The SULTAN'S
OBLIGATION
Dy ARNOLD NJ ANDERSON


Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
The Lukewater Bank Of Commerce
was In Neutrality-suspicious. or
some such matter; the books would
not bear inspection and the bank ees
aminer was expected momentarily. II
ID not to be even limited that the in
stitution was not perfectly sound. for
indeed all its Investments were sane
and legitimate. but still there was lack
ing 100000 in It's reserve, and at a
time when the financial world was in
clined to be panicky, this was a most
distressing circumstance II the short
age was detected. the state banking
law-which expressly stipulated that
. certain percentage of the deposits
must be available-would undoubtedly
be rigidly enforced. Though the bank
was solvent, yet an exposure of even a
slight nonconformity to the legal re-.
Quirements might, under the circum.
stances, prove ruinous to its reputa.
ton and business.
What was to be done?
The Lukewater bank is small con-
Germ whose working force consists OF
president, cashier. bookkeeper and
. Japanese janitor: the existence or
non-existence of the establishment
would not perceptibly affect the prog
ress of the world. yet for all that, 1t
occupies position Of vital Importance
In the minds of these four ofiicials
who one day, after banking hours. had
gathered In the presidents tiny pri-
vate office. On this occasion the big
!. Ere1ap sahade had been pulled half way
/ ub over the plate glass window SO as
to exclude the interior from the gaze
of passers-by-only the air of mystery
was lacking to give the conference a
dramatic tinge. The air of mystery
was impossible because all four knew
exactly why the meeting was called,
the ways and means OF extricating
the honorable institution from its en-
barrassing predicament.
It will not appear strange that Hak-
ko, the Japanese janitor, was included
In this company when 1t is learned
that he. by reason of his cunning at.
tentiveness. had come to know all the
secrets OF the bank, and, furthermore,
encumbered his present lowly posi-.
ton merely as student Of American
finance. Anon the ambitious youth
assume the pest of assistant secretary
to the mikado's treasurer.
Gentlemen" began Griswold. the
president. as his colleagues were
seated, "as you know. our confounded
enterprise has led us into temptation"
I'm surprised the bank examiner
has not been here before this" said
Clinton, the cashier. dismally.
Clinton" reproved the president,
I'VE are not here to shed tears. but
to find way out of the difficulty.
am ready to hear suggestions. In the
first place. can any OF you raise any
cash? How much have you that is not
already on deposit here?"
The four glanced timidly from one
to another and then each fished up
from his pockets bills and coins Of
varying denominations, which alto
gether made up a total Of $78.S5.
"Hakko." asked Mr.. Griswold, not
ing the insufficient relief fund, ARE
you sure you haven't pot of gold
buried somewhere in the cellar?"
The smiling Jap's face took on an
added illumination as he replied: Il
have very little cash money, but l
can cable to my father. Perhaps he
will make US a loan
I'VE want spot cash or gilt-edged
collateral-we can't wait day, and
heNfdQO vO,,r fothor WOULD dom
security. Our securities are already
working overtime" said the cashier,
who then asked: why can't you
raise something on your real estate.
Griswold?"
my wife's real estate, you meang'
"But won't she consent to-
'She won't have the chance! Mrs.
Griswold is the last person l would
trust with business confidence. II
told her of this affair, or even hinted
that I needed money for any other
reason, there would be run on the
bank tomorrow. Keeping secrets Is
not one of my wife's virtues
II am not of saving disposition" !"
ventured Benson. the young book
keeper. "and am sorry-"
"Oh, we know you haven't any
thing!" interrupted the president; '-in
fact you have already overdrawn your
salary, believe"
1T looks to me-" said the cashier.
'as though 1t would be necessary for
ms to sacrifice some Of our invest
ments."
: mot In thousand years." cried