The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-02

rill knew it not. A well-dressed, dig
nified stranger came into the bank,
and after looking over some papers at
the depositors' table approached the
president of the institution.
"Mr. Merrill" he said courteously,
Il am having some important dealings
with the valley manufacturers. l have
just come from your rival bank here
They wish to charge me five per cent
for trusteeship and some easy ne
gotiations Can I do business for you
on a cheaper basis?"
Eyes, sir" answered the banker, ca
ger to snap up an easy opportunity,
III the business is entirely local"
1T will be-
"Our charge will be two and half
per cent"
Thanks. You will hear from me in
q day or two," said the stranger. who
called himself Richard Wolfe and he
left the bank.
A few minutes later a neatly dressed
young lady entered the bank. She
approached Mr.. Merrill.
Il came in to direct a letter. she
explained, land l found this on the
desk where l was writing"
She handed long pocketbook to the
banker In vast surprise he examined
its contents. 1t contained $4,000 in
bank notes of large denominations. On
its flap we're the initials "R. W." and
, Mr.. Merrill at once decided that 1t be-
cd
Il am pleased at your honesty,
I young lady" he said heartily-for him.
Il think you had better leave your
/ name and address. for l am sure that
/ the owner of the money will wish to
recognize your helpfulness."
, Within ten minutes the man who
called himself Richard Wolfe came
l hurrying back into the bank. All! his
. money had been found. Thanks, and
r the finder? At once send her this
. and he literally handed the banker
q two hundred dollar bills. Then he
q stated that he had decided to do bust
ness with the bank. He counted out
five thousand dollars. 1t was to bt
held in trust to purchase some bonds
which he named He would at once
. write to the owner of the same ant
have him come from another town
where he lived. He authorized Mr.
Merrill to pay as high as ninety.
he got them for less, they would di
vide on the bargain.
The liberality of the stranger, tn
sight of the ready cash, the chanc
to make AN honest dollar"-all ar
= pealed to the banker in strange way
What followed came quickly. Anothe
J stranger appeared at the bank within
J two days with the bonds in question
and received the money for them an
: next Richard Wolfe again appeared
= In an excited, confidential way he II
formed the banker that he had learne
} that the bonds would go up twent
: points the following week. He knee
& where he could buy another block c
l them. They would divide on tn
7 profits, as before. Result: He bo
y rowed four thousand dollars on tn
securities, and in a week Cyrus Me
rill knew that he was a swindled mai
Only Alton knew of the transaction
He realized his uncle's humiliation an
chagrin, when the latter recklessly a
nounced that he would give half II
four thousand dollars to get the none
back from the first man who had ev'
put 1t over on him."
90 Is, For two days Alton was absent. I
=. returned to place in the hands Of b
. astonished uncle two thousand dollar
~ 1.-THE balance you promised as
~ reward, you know" he submitted.
y, But how"
" II took a picture Of that Wolfe Il
~ low the first day he came into Il
Wy bank" explained Alton. Il found
" duplicate in the rogues' gallery in Il
M city. They rounded up your man
ga notorious criminal"
vi YES" said Mr.. Merrill, you Ct
" keep that money. and you can stay
pu- the bank. But II you ever hint pu
licly at the noodle I've been, I'll d
'el own you on the spot"
ZEN Il shall tell only Winifred!" VIII
o. pered the happy young man raptly
hu himself.