The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-10-24
The Looming Falls
Airline Express
BY JAMES BARNES.

The president Of the Monckton
Bank sat at his once window looking
out into the blizzard. II had stopped
all trafic. Not a train had reached
Monckton for eighteen hours.
1t was strange that the wires were
not all down. but the heavy long
distance telephone line was still open,
for the bell rang suddenly, and the
president hurried across the room.
"Hullo! Is that you. George" he
asked anxiously. How goes it,"
Yes. it's L." came the answer. The
run has continued all day long de-
spite the storm. 1t is rumored about
town that the bank is going to fail
The Lumberman's Bank went I'd At
one o'clock"
Well" said the president. can you
tide it over?"
No we can't to save our live.
There is but two thousand dollars in
the vaults. II is past bank hour.
now. but in the morning. II the run
continues. we will have to susp.nd
The president groaned. 1t was his
brother who was speaking to him
the cashier of the branch bank At
Looming Falls, sixty miles down the
river. The failure Of one Nbank might
mean ruin to both.
The railroad is blocked" said the
president. speaking slowly We have
enough money here to help you" he
added. hopelessly. but what good is
that"
Cant you drive through"
doubt it: the road is bare IN
places. and drifted breast-hish in
others. But I will see what I can do
l will call you up in fifteen minutes
The president turned and opened the
door leading into the bank. Bending
over the big ledger was a tall, thin
man. with bald head. He looked up
as the president entered.
Amy good news. Mr.. carter7 he
asked. quickly.
NO. Spence: bad news, bad nsw,
don't see that we can help" Then
he told of the conversation over the
telephone
Send for Prouty." suggested the
oald-headed man. If any one can
drive you through. he can. do it,
Go fetch him. Spence. and hurry
back" said Mr. Carter. with a CLEAN
Of hope.
The cashier picked up his coat and
strobe out through the drift into the
street. The president of the Monck-
.on Bank climbed upon a high stool
Ind swung himself nervously to and
'ro. Just then a movement near the
arge stove in the back of the room
made him spint about.
'Hullo. ADAM" he said, you here
,et?"
Yes. Mr.. Carter" answered a strong
'oice. I've been helping Mr.. Spence
n the books today"
Adam Buel. a tall, compactly built
ad of fifteen, had come into the bank
s an ONCE boy some three years
reviously and by hard work and con-
tant application had risen to be s
lnior clerk. an excellent position for
ne of his years and short experience.
Soon the latch clicked loudly, and
dam admitted the cashier and a bur-
figure in a buffalo overcoat.
"Prouty. said Mr.. Carter. coming
the point at once, can you drive
trough to Looming Falls tonight"
TO Looming Falls, yer Joking.
mt yer?" the driver exclaimed. Not
Il tn money in this bank could ger
to the Falls fore they mended the
,idge. 1t come down bout one .
clock"
Mr.. Carter went slowly back into
s private ONCE. and walked up to
e telephone. Once. twice, three
mes, he tried. then he hung up the
ceiver-the connection was broken.
feeling Of hopslessness came over
m. and he threw himself into his
g leather chair. People grow dis
lstful quickly; he doubted really II
could meet a run of the Monckton