The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-05

'" men the old maj died and young Ro-
phrds came I'm he and Schmidt became
equal partners. and the bank took the
name OF Robards & Schmidt. There
was something patcrnal about tho Ger.
mans attitude toward the young man
Young RobardS was light spirited
clever, lovable. He was content to have
schmidt do the work while he enjoyed
life. lie speculated - little, but not
inu"h. He gave himself up principally
To the delights of society.
The bank ~prospered amazingly and
Tor hfteen years grew steadily in DOW
err prestige, wealth and Importance. un-
III II came to be looked upon as one
or the strongest In tho street. Every
morning Schmidt arrived at the same
hour. He looked with pride at the
great establishment that had grown up
around him. His keen eyes noted
everything. II there was the slightest
stain upon the window. the smallest
hiemish on the great metal sign at the
door, he was the first to notice IL. ~
ne went through the long counting
room he bowed to his employees, at the
same time making AN incredibly rapid
inspection Of the whole place. No clerk
nut knew II was utter folly to try to
fnol schmidt There was "A keenness in
me mans scrutiny. Il of de-
tan. an infeNibility and "A regularity of
purpose about him that was command.
ing. lie had instilled some of his own
methods of precision into each and
every ono of his employees. Schmidt
was kindly and generous. but there was
AN atmosphere about him that repealed
any attempt at departure from the
s~traishtcst dealings, any looseness OF
conduct OF evasion.
II Schmidt had one weakness. Il was
mis- pride. He was Unfortunately proud
of the reputation of the house. When
reports came to him of the high re-
gard in which the bank was held he
wa rediant. Men who knew this one
weakness of the man played upon II.
Sometimes they got a little more than
they deserved by reason of II.
Occasionally Schmidt chidad young
Robards for not taking a more ac-
tive business. lie held up 10 him the
example OF his father. the man who
had founded the bank. and spoke Of
his ability, his fine reputation, his
usefulness, his long and honorable
career. The young man would listen
smilinglv. assure Schmidt that there
was plenty of time for the serious AZ
fairs of life, aud that in good season,
when schmidt got to think the bur
dens were to heavy, he would take up
his fun shar" of rcsponsihility-but
meanwhile he would enjoy life. After
these chidings the young man would
always be a little more regular in
coming 10 the bank, and would make
q prctcnsc of attending to a fair share
OF his duties, but it would never be
for long.
For ffteen years Schmidt and Re-
bards went along without a serious
difference. the elder man the guiding
spirit. the driving power and the rul-
ing force in the big institution. Every
year the house prospered. Every year
II gained in prestige and in stability.
Then one morning Schmidt arose as
usual. He bathed and shaved. pol
ishcd his shoes, brushed his clothes,
rubbed up his hat and made his bed.
Then he went to the breakfast room.
The clock showed the precise minute
Of his usual coming. He took his seat.
ordered his usual cup of coffee, had his
usual breakfast spread before him. and
then. as usual, PICKED up the morning
paper and opened II. lie glanced at
the hrst page. and his face went white.
He continued to read for a few mo-.
in"nis. his hands trembling, the mus
cles of his face twitching. He sat
there with the PAPER before him. and
for the FIRST time in ne~arlyforty years
lett his breakfast untouched.
AS he walked down Broadway aslt
morning he PASSED men whom he nad
known for years without seeing them.
His Igure seemed less erect. his eyes
lacked their usual lustrc. He APP
peared five years older than he had tile
day before. lie entered the bank with
ont looking once at the windows or the
great name plate. and he passed
through the counting room without
the usual greeting to his employees.
When he went 10 his desk he sat there
for fifteen or twenty minutes without
opening "A letter or CHANGING at n pa
per. The manager and one or two 9th
era VIII" wished to consult With hm