Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-03-26
0, ' A. Mitchell.

men see more OF humanity as II Is
than any other class OF men. but
question II the endless panorama of
incidents IMPLYING the different phases
Of human life Is witnessed by any
class that every day passes before
bankers. Sometimes whole stories are
enacted before us spread over term
Of years. ! am the repository OF one
such story that ! watched from its
beginning to Its climax.
One afternoon weather beaten old
farmer with silky white hair scattered
over his head came to my desk and.
pulling out a wallet. asked for a draft
ON Denver for 5000 In favor OF Thomas
Williams. lie counted out the money.
sand then. having nothing to do while
the draft was being prepared. began
TO tell me the beginning OF this story.
"I'm sendin' the money" no said.
ito my boy out In Colorado. He went
out there year ago. takin' some
money with him that give him, but
he hasn't had much luck, and It's all
gone. First he got sick; then when
he got well he went prospectin' and
struck somepin that looked good. but
some other fellers jumped his claim.
whatever that means. and took 1t all
away from him.
"Then Tom got sick ag'in and went
TO horsepittlc and stayed there three
months. Now he's got out of the
horsepittle and lookln' about for some
pin. I'm scndin' this money 10 give
him chance. Toms his mothers pet.
and she lays awake nights WORTH
about him. I'm mighty fond OF the
boy myself somehow. He was always
n smart little chap-took lots Of prizes
AMI things ut schulz
when he got old enough TO work I
wanted him to help me on the farm
He tried It for awhile. but see purity
quick he didn't take to II. He was
too smart TO be contented TO follow a
plow same = his father. who didn't
never get no eddication. So I says
TO him one day: Tommy. reckon you'd
better go to the city and work that
Away. This don't suit YOU He was
mighty well pleased at that. II al
NEST broke mas heart to part with
him. but she knowed II was better for
him and let him go.
Tom didn't like II In town so we'll
as he thought he would. Leastaways
he didn't stay long In the place he
went into. They must "a thought a
heap of him. though. for they raised
his salary twice. so he wrote me. But
he cot into fight with one OF the
head clerks and got himself discharged.
He said the head clerk accused him of
stealth some money.
Tom was allus an ambitious little
chap. and after leavin' his place he
concluded he'd so west and try and
do somepin big. for ma and me agin
we got too old 10 work. 30 we scrapcd
up $500 and give II to him. and he
At this moment n clerk laid the
farmers draft on my desk. and the
first chapter OF his story was finished.
for he began TO count over his soiled
and torn bills. now aud again wetting
his thumb ON his lip as he turned them
up. Then. leaving them 10 me and
carefully folding his draft. he put Il In
his wallet, crammed the wallet down
into the bottom of his pocket and
with "Goodby. Mr.. Cashier" left the
bank.
The second chapter OF the story Is
very short There IL hardly enough In
II 10 make chapter. but there is a
good deal beneath the few words re-
qured to toll Il. 4 girl Of eighteen
came 10 the bank. laid down $2i. near
~ all In silver coin. and asked for n
draft TO cover the amount.
ITO whom will you have II made
payable;" asked.
Tom Williams" In a soft voice. al.
mast whisper.
I ordered the draft made out. aud
the girl stood waiting. Unlike the
farmer. she didn't tell all would have
liked TO know. so ] asked
lis Tom Williams your brother?"
NO" she replied. looking down on
he floor
had not liked the indications a. to
Toms character rs they appeared In
his fathers account OF him. and now
that money was going to him from his
sweetheart began TO despise him.
handed the girl the draft and had a
good opportunity TO study her. for she
never once looked up at me- She
went out with II Rugged up against
her heart. as though she loved II be
cause she had saved It for Tom.
My next visitor in behalf OF Tom
was his mother. She stood by my
desk employing on II from cnrpetbag
lot Of bills and silver and copper
coins. NOT knowing who she was.
asked what should do with the
money. and she said. "Send Il TO Tom"
BY this time was not likely TO forget
Tom and asked II she wished draft
for Thomas Williams She said she
did. turned her funds over to a
clerk TO count. and he reported that
they amounted to sG43.47. ordered
the draft TO be made out. placed a
chair before the old lady and said.
with view TO my enlightenment;
"Air. Williams pretty busy nova