The Falls City tribune., 1909-07-30
TIE TIL! SULTAN'S
Bv ARNOLD M. ANDERSON
copyright, BY Daily Story Pub. Coz

vas ii dlfflcuItIeS-0Nerl0aned, or
some such matter; the books would
not bear inspection and the bank ex-
anineF was expected ~momentariiy. 1t
Is not TO be even limited that the in
stitution VAS not perfectly sound. for
indeed all its investments we're sane
and legitimate, but still there was lack.
ing $4,000 in its reserve, and at a
time when the financial world was in
clined to be panicky, this was a most
distressing circumstance. If the short.
age was detected, the state banking
law-which expressly stipulated that
a 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 a small con-
Germ whose working force consists of
a president, cashier, bookkeeper and
a Japanese %janitor; the existence or
non-existence of the establishment
would not %perceptibly affect the prog
ress of the world, yet for all that, it
occupies a position Of vital Importance
in the minds of these four officials
who n day, after banking hours, had
gathered in the presidents tiny pri-
vate office On this occasion the big
green shade had been pulled half way
up i've 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,
namely: for the purpose of devising
the ways and means of extricating
the honorable institution from it's EN-
barrassing ~predicament.
1t will not appear strange that Hak-
ko, the Japanese %janitor, was included
In this company when it is learned
~tentiveness, had come to know all the
secrets of the bank, and, furthermore,
encountered his present lowly posi-
tion merely as a student of American
finance. Anon the ambitious youth
would be recalled to the Orient to
assume the post of assistant secretary
to the mikado's treasurer.
Gentlemen began Griswold, the
president, as his colleagues were
seated, las you know, our COMPOUNDED
enterprise has led us into temptation
I'm surprised the bank examiner
has not been here before this" said
Clinton, the cashier, dismally. 4d
Clinton reproved the president
I'VE are not here to shed tears, but
to find a way out of the difficulty L
am ready to hear suggestions. In the
first place, a any of you raise any
cash? How much have you that is not
already on deposit here?" &
The four glanced timidly from n
to another and then each fished up
varying denominations, which alto
gether made up a total of $7S,S5. {
'Hakko,' asked Mr.. Griswold, not.
ing the insufficient relief fund, ARE
you sure you haven't a pot of gold
buried somewhere in the CELLAR"
The smiling Jap's face took on an
added illumination as he replied: II
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 a day, and
besides, your father would demand
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 mean?"
but won't she consent to-"
"She won't have the chance! Mrs.
Griswold is the last person l would
trust with a business confidence. II
l told her of this affair, or ever limited
that l needed money for any other
reason, there would be a run on the
bank tomorrow. Keeping secrets is
not one of my wife's virtues"
81 am not of a saving disposition"
ventured Benson, the young book
keeper, land l am sorry"
ooh, we know you haven't any,
thing!' interrupted the president; ''in
fact you have already overdrawn your
salary, l believe"
ut looks. to me-" said the cashier,
"as though it would be necessary for
us to sacrifice some of u invest
ments."
'Not in a thousand years!" cried
Griswold, pounding the desk with his
fist.
"Then we must borrow on our per-
sonal hottest"
1--WE won't give any notes, either!"
affirmed the president, d~isdaining to
give his reason.
"Wha shall we do then, I'd like to
know"
Benson said the president, what
would you suggest?"
II can think of only two answers,
and both of them are a little risky"
said the bookkeeper, meekly.
"Well?" urged the cashier, as Ben
son hesitated.
"Take a few hundred dollars and
try bribing the bank examiner or use
tho4 ap,orpf opI fry oamhlipO for tho