Mexico Missouri message., 1909-11-25
An Indignant
N-L BY A. M.


cred in knots in the Madison bank,
and without knocking, strobe into the
presidents private office.
Are you the president of the
bank?" he asked a dapper little man
seated before a large roller.top desk
Mr.. Amherst stared superciliously
over the rim Of his glasses. IL am"
he said with icy elaboration.
The lean man picked up a chair and
set it down with a thump at the side
OF the desk. well, want 'er talk to
you"
PPM sorry, but I'm too busy"-be-
gan Mr.. Amherst.
The lean man hit the desk a blow
that Jared several pens from holder.
Your business will have to wait" he
said. You're goin' to listen"
MIR. Amherst glanced nervously
toward the door, but the stranger cut
of that means of escape well, of
course, sir, if"
Just listen; I'll do the talkin',"
said the lean man. 81 lived on a farm,
Mr.. Amherst, until i was 20 years old
During them years l did more work
than you and your ancestors have
done in a century but l determined
I'd get away from the farm, and
saved every cent could get with that
idea in view.
Zone day, after ten years savin',
found l had 500. Think of it, ten
years to save 500. Well, came here
and got job in a small grocery store,
l knew how to work and save, and In
five years bought that store. When
1t was mine l worked harder than
ever; l wanted to buy a bigger store
in town.
''In another five years had $4,000,
just the amount / had set my heart
on. Then the bank l had my money
in broke. didn't get cent.
THAT hit mighty hard, but l kept
my spunk up and started all over
again. l was 80 years old then; I'm
40 now, and I've saved $4,000 again
during the last ten years.
THAT $4,000 is in this bank, Mr.
Amherst, and I've come for 1t. l
want my money"
Mr.. Amherst took off his glasses with
trembling fingers, and wiped them on
a fine cambria handkerchief. II as
sure you, my dear sir, that you will
get every cent of your money. Just
now, owing to some complications, we
are not honoring checks, but the bank
is as solid as Gibraltar"
That's what they told me before"
the lean man said slowly, But don't
want promises. What l want is my
money"
Mr.. Amherst looked longingly
toward the door. But, OF course, my
dear Sir you cant be preferred to the
other depositors," he faltered.
| Inc leah man rose Abruptly 10 MS
teet and kicked back his chair. I've
SAID all i've got 70 say; now want
my money now 40 you understand
now!
The lean man was glazing down
hercely. One OF his hands rested on
the desk, and opened and closed con-
.Vulsively. Mr.. Amherst noticed that
1t was brown and knotty, and seemed
70 nave powerful grip
"Fl-lH call the cashier and you
can talk 1t over with him." Mr.. Am
herst stammered.
You'll do nothing of the kind.
You'll get me that money yourself
three thousand dollars-or there'll be
one less CRATER in this world in a
few minutes"
Mr.. Amherst's cheeks blanched and
he ran his fingers tremblingly along
the corners of his mouth. The lean
man suddenly took a step backward
and thrust his right hand into a hip
pocket.
"Ill get the money" Mr.. Amherst
exclaimed.
Through a passaeewav reacbed nv
an inner door of the ofice Mr. Am.
berst made his wav 70 the vanlt the
lean man AT his elbow A few min.
utes later thew ware back In tho of.