The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-27

Company" The entire front Of the build
ing had been remodelled into commo-
dious and up-to-date counting room. This
was lighted by two large plate glass
windows and the entrance was through
massive door whose glass was protected
by heavy bars. These bars looked for all
the world like iron, but Carrie assured
me that they were only wood covered with
tin and painted black.
Inside were all the appurtenances OF n
frst-class banking neutrality-suspicious.
ratings. desks, counters, chairs and in
the most conspicuous position. an enor-
NOUS burglar proof" safe. In the rear
we're partitioned off two little private
offices, their doors labelled Mrs. Celia
RIgsby, President" and Mrs Carrie
Morse, General Manager"
All this quite took my breath away, but
what impressed me most of all was the
sight of a helf dozen old graybeards who
were busily engaged on some bulky &C.
count books. Not one of these men could
have been less than sixty years old and
all were of venerable aspect, with
spectaoles white hair and long white
boards.
Why do you hire such old mem
asked Carrie at the first opportunity.
And where do you get the money to pay
all Of them?'
"s-s-sh!" she whispered. Don't you
know there's nothing that inspires
people who would never trust their
money to young, active man, will gladly
hand 1t over to an old venerable appear
ing fellow. And the next best thing to an
old man is a pretty woman--that's why
l think you and shall make such sue
cess of this business AS for paying these
old men, they don't get a cent. They are
all working for nothing in the hope OF
getting q chance to invest some money
in the business"
How We Fooled the Public
was so impressed BY these fresh evi.
dences of Carries business ability and
my own ignorance that I felt quite re-
lieved when she informed me that I
would not have to remain at the bank, but
would fulfill my duties as president at
some apartments she had taken for me
In a fashionable quarter Of Fifth avenue.
These apartments we're furnished in
splendid style and Carrie handed me
roll of bills with which to purchase some
gowns that would be In keeping with my
new home.
After my wardrobe was purchased and
my trunks moved over from the hotel, I
was not long In learning just what Carrie
expected Of me. Sho began inserting ad.
yertisements in all the leading news.
papers offering widows and other women
Of means" investments which were guar.
antced to net them from Is to 20 per cent.
on their money"
When women called in answer TO the
advertisement at the bank on Twenty
third street, many of them would want
more evidence than Carrie could supply
before they would part with their money.
These doubling ones were referred to me
Mrs. Celia Rissby. If you please, who
had made fortune by investing her late
husbands $1,000 insurance money In the
securities offered by the Women's Bank
Ing and Investment Company.
The advertisements were kept going in
the newspapers, and more and more
women kept coming to the bank on Twen
ty-third street. Mrs Morse received them
all, talked many Of them into leaving their
money with her right then and there, and
to those who had misgivings she said
sweetly:
But I would rather you would not he
Influenced by anything ! have said. 1t is
your duty to yourself to investigate and
assure yourself as to just what profits we
are really paying on investments. Per-
haps you would like to see and talk With
one Of our customers who has done SO
we'll with our investments that she has
taken an interest in our bank. I'm sure
you'd be interested In talking with Mrs.
Rigsby."
The style in which lived on Fifth
avenue left no doubt OF my wealth, and
with Carries help ! soon had q glib and