The Press., 1914-08-12

This said the iudAc. l1nderby has a number of friends here who are willing to back up their friendship for him with hard money. If you gentle men will guarantee to keep the thing absolutely secret among yourselves and to refrain from prosecuting Ender- by, who will. of course, resign from the presidency and the directorate and move away, his friends will raise $5O,- GOO in cash. and they will place the amount in your hands today"
 If we should accept this offer said the vice president. amid general mur- mur of excitement. and the ten of us who are here should each put up $5.OOO. the defalcation would be mad" goodY'
 Ut would" said Judge Beatty promptly. "rhe bank would be on a sound financial basis once more. and the $5O,OOO would be paid back from the profits which are certain under Ju diciOus management
 And If we don't accept this OfferT asked Williams. the cashier
 '"The bank goes to the wall. you lose at least $10O,OOO cold cash and what ever else might be involved In dis astrOus and expensive liquidation and the small depOsit0rs suffer terribly
 "In other words, you are offering us 50 cents on the dollar" remarked Ih. rector Taylor
 "Enderby promises to make good the dedication: he has certain matters pending of little value now. but which may bring in large returns. am not able to say just what they will be, but he has put the matter in my hands. and if the returns come fin as he ex poets and HIS l expect. too. will be quick to turn over to the bank enough to make good the dpfalcatiOn."
 What evidence have we got of thatr' asked the vice president
 My word of honor. sir"
 But aren't we all cOmpOunding felony?' asked Director Williams.
 Well" answered the lawyer. "l am afraid. if you ask for legal opinion on that point. that we are. For my part 1 don't mind telling you frankly that am doing if to save the deposi, tors in this bank.
 MT. Vice President said a direc tor. "I move you that we accept Judge Beatty's offer in behalf of Enderby. and if he will turn over to us $50.OW in cash we jointly and severally agree to say nothing to any one about the defacatiOn. and that we further agree to make good the amount over and above the said $5O,OO0 and to reOr- ganize and carry on the bank under new management"
 "I second the notion" said the cash fer.
 II suppose there is nothing to do but put the notion said the vice presi dent. Are you ready for the question gentlemen?'
 And thereafter the motion was imme- diately adopted unanimously.
 Beatty took from his safe the $5O.OOO in bills which Enderby had handed him the night before. the wrappingS and anything else that would have ident- fed it as having come from the bank having been destroyed.
 "GentIemen." he said, "there is your money. Here also is an agreement which 1 have drawn up embOdying the substance of our arrangement. which you will be good enough to sign"
 "Gcntlempn." said the vice president "a document of this kind you will all sign with me. and. Judge Beatty. l think you had better sign it too"
 Certainly" said the judge. AS l am to be its custodian. l have no ob- jection.''
 That is all. take it!" asked the vice president.
 That is all" answered the old at torney, "and, while legally our action is distinctly improper, think we have acted for the best interest of the stock holders and depOSitors of the bank. es- pecially of the latter
 Yes. but would like to get my hands on that scoundreI Enderby. I'd have trusted him with anything" said one of the directors.
 Leave Enderby to me-" said Judge Beatty. He is suffering enough now, and l think he has had lesson that will last him. l believe that he will pay back all that he took. too. but that's in the future. Good morning. gentlemen"
 Now" said the judge to himself :fter they had departed as he sat down at the desk and stared at the Texas iand deed which. to anticipate. did finally bring enough to cover the def alcation-"I certainly broke the law of the land Have I tranSgressed the moral law. or have not? have un- 1oubtPdIy saved Enderby; have saved The small dep0sitOrs: have saved the bank Has the end in this instance iuSti6..1 tho rnooOS 1 UnndorS''