Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-29
Copyright by W. @. Chapman

OdF1uGSS uaO DlOWn out Ills DTdluS.
It was a surprise to his associates
to find that his estate had so dwin-
died that there was almost nothing
left. The bank was directly embar-
raised, because of the fact that the
younger Caviness had borrowed, upon
his fathers endorsement, $4,000 from
that institution. Knowing the, young
ster as these directors did, they called
him on the carpet and asked him
what he intended to do toward max
ing good.
Il am going to pay these notes al
most Immediately he said confident
ly. 'You know that am now the To-
cal representative of New York in
surance company. I am doing great
business. In fact, can promise a
payment tomorrow"
But" urged a director, ''your per-
sonal account is also overdrawn."
"That will not be necessary any
MORE" said Caviness. II am now on
a firm financial basis. I am now in
a position to throw new business to
the bank instead Of being a burden to
it,
With these assurances the directors
parted with young Caviness on the
friendliest of terms. They wanted to
believe in what he said, as this would
save the bank money and themselves
embarrassment. Further than this
there seemed nothing that could be
done, and the boundless optimism Of
the young man created confidence.
The next day the insurance agent
deposited for discount sixty-day note
for $500, given him by man for
whom he had written a policy. He
drew $50 in cash, and allowed the bal
ance to be placed to his credit. The
directors were encouraged. The in
surance man continued such opera.
tons, much of his paper being per-
fectly good. It would appear that he
was on the way toward clearing up
his affairs, but Caviness spent much
money, some of it going toward the
entertainment Of sons and daughters
Of the directors. If they stopped him
at any time it would have meant the
absolute loss of the amount he al
ready owed. AS illogical as it might
seem, more and more credit was ex-
tended.
In addition to the liberties that Cavi-
ness thus took with the directors OF
the bank, he had also established
sort Of dominance over Homer Kes-
ter, it's young cashier The dominant
insurance man had been a leader
among their mutual associates from
youth, was the social lion CT the town,
and always patronized the cashier.
That timid youth had allowed his
friend to overdraw his account when
his father was a director, and it there
fore seemed safe. This fact made it
easier afterward when it was I'M
safe.
Finally the directors awoke to the
fact that George Caviness owed the
bank $4,000. Homer Hester, the
cashier, so reported. The directors
were appalled,. This was the end.
Caviness was contrite. He made new
notes for the whole amount. These
would at least appear in the assets
of the bank when the examiner came
around. He promised he would in
future deposit only cash and certified
checks. The hope Of recovering some
of the money led the directors to keep
the account open. There seemed no
other way.
But Hester, the cashier, had not re-
ported all the facts with relation to
the Caviness accounts. The checking
account of the latter was at this time
overdrawn to the amount OF $5,5OO.
The cashier realized that he had been
personally at fault in allowing this.
He had confessed his embarrassment
to Caviness. The latter had advised
that the cashier juggle the accounts in
such a way that the shortage would
not show, and that he fail to report
it to the directors.
Arranging the accounts was easy.
AS a matter of fact, these overdrafts
were already being hid by being carried
on the books as cash. The arrange
ment had become necessary upon the
occasion Of a recent visit Of national
bank examiner. AS the examiner had
been deceived, so might be the di-
rectors. So it happened that Caviness
was $500 deeper in debt than the de
rectorS knew.
Billy Gard was fascinated in devel-
oping the psychology of the case
the manner in Which this prodigal
played upon the cashier and the di-
rectors to his advantage. But here
the miscreant had come to the end
Of his string with the directors. He
was to be allowed only to pay in
money. But with the cashier the sit
uation was different. Caviness now
had Hester in his control. That young
ster had made a false report to the
examiner and the directors. He had
violated the law. His position, even
his freedom, depended on helping Cav
mess to make good.
'If I had but few hundred dol
lars Caviness told Kester when they