The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-31
THE SCRATCH PAD
TAKING NO CHANCES.
By THOMAS Ew'No DAsNEY.

lAhlNG NJ ChANCES.
He was remarkably freckled, and so
small that he had to stand a-tiptoe to
bring his eyes above the level of the
Christmas Savings counter in the
bank, as he hoarsely announced to
the astonished gentleman on the other
side of the grille that he was thinking
Of opening an account.
Whether it was that his calling
made him suspicious of mankind-he
was newsboy-or whether he was
but displaying the Unborn caution that
characterizes the financier, is not the
question; but no monarch ever
planned a conquest, no diplomat ever
tried the ground, no captain of indus
try ever investigated a security
more carefully than did this freckled
carrier the standing of that bank!
He wanted to know all about it and
how much money it had and was the
government back of it and what
would happen if the government was
licked; and where the money would
be kept and whether the place was
fireproof and if there was any danger
of the money blowing away in a
storm; also WHO was on the board of
directors and was the president
straight, square, and on the level;
and if the clerk would advise him,
man to man, to put his money there;
and did the clerk have any money
there; and what would happen if the
clerk died, or he of the freckles died
would the latter's family benefit;
and was there any danger of some
body signing his name and making
off with his wealth.
All of these questions being an
swered to his satisfaction, the young
capitalist announced that he wanted
to deposit ten cents week.
| Here ensued another discussion.
The Christmas clubs weren't operated
that way. You could pay several dol
lars a week or you could pay cent
the first week, two cents the second
week, three the third, and so on, up
to the fiftieth week. At thought of
| the ultimate twelve-odd dollars and
| its increased purchasing power over
So, the future Rothschild was visibly
impressed, but cooler councils pre-
walled, or as he phrased 1t, he didn't
"want to bite off more than he could
chaw"; it was dime per, or he would
take his business elsewhere.
AS Constantine accepted noted Ill
timatum, so the clerk accepted this
one. Much time had passed, you will
understand, and people were standing
around first on one foot and then on
the other, waiting to be waiter upon
The clerk however, plotted out ten
cent book with great pomp and cir
cumstance, and extended his hand for
the first deposit.
as it all right ?"
"All right"
"Lemme see-Is that where you say
| put ten cents in?"
'fYes, right there, see 2"
"Uh-huh. I'll go home and get the
money"
He was back just before closing
time. He stacked nickel and five
coppers on the counter, shovel then
towards the opening, pulled then
back, his hand tightly pressed upor
them as if he were holding the lid or
to keep his wealth from escaping il
a sort of financial steam, and said:
"You are sure this is all right, are
lyou?"
"Sure."
you won't forget then. will you p
, "No, indeed"
because / forget myself, some
times" showing the deposit under the
opening, "but mister, if you forge
this, if you do" he said in his pre-,
. ternaturally hoarse voice, call | gotta
, say is, Mister, God help you"