The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-09-13
u WAS a hard task that the presi-

dent of one bank had aven me. A
standard financial institution is
rarely DESTROYS Of doing business
with q woman, at least beyond the
mere Gepesftor basis. In the present
instance it was not only woman, but
a young and pretty one. Add to this
the fact that the lady in question was
In deep distress, that herr case pre-
scented angles suggesting evasion and
even mystery, and you will not won
der wig every official of the bank from
the president down to the assistant
cashier had SHE'D at the task which
was now obliged to shoulder.
do the best you can to get our
money cut of this muddle," the presi-
dent had told me tersely, handing
me the folder which contained all
the papers in the case from the day.
four years back, where Royal Luding-
ton, member of the Board of Trade,
had made his initial deposit with our
bank down to and beyond the recent
date Of his sudden death. The rec
ord of his dealings with our inst1tu-
ton up to the time Of his demise was
clear as crystal. A child could have
read and understood. pretentious as to
magnitude and Importance as had
been some of his dealings. Direct
and margin accounts were cleanly
attended to. There was not a mar or
break In the admirable paying system
Of Royal Ludington. When death
closed Che account, however, we held
his note unsecured for $37,950; and
we held it still, past due, uncollect-
able, to OUR bewilderment, In any
legal way.
familiarized myself with all the
details of the case through hurried
glance over the contents of the folder,
tidied collar and coat with twist of
my hand, and put on my best bank
ing face to enter the private office of
the directors room where / had been
advised Miss Grace Ludington was
awaiting attention.
Il came about this" she said in a
tone chila-like. confiding, slightly re-
proachful, all at once. The letter she
handed me notified Mrs. Royal Lud-
ington that the overdue paper of her
dead husband required immediate
settlement, rather strictly referring
to the fact that no attention had been
paid to previous notifications OF the
same fact. / turned it over and over
in my hand, seeking to fix upon the
manner / should assume in serving
the best interests of the bank in
dealing with an emissary instead OF
the chief person now in interest in
the case.
81 see," I observed, trying to gain
time, for | am not ready diplomat;
but why did not Mrs. Royal Luding-
ton-your mother" the fair head
bowed come herself?"
A wave of singular intensity crossed
the face Of the young girl. Her lips
parted to speak. Then she subdued
their expression. They quivered. Her
eyes dropped, her cheeks grew the
paler.
She would not come" was spoken
finally-"she will not come"
Surely" / observed, Mrs Royal
LudingtOn does not repudiate the OBJ
ligatiOn?"
For the present-yes."
Yet we have notations here that
show transfers of property within the
past month representing over $4,000.
Aside from that two notes have
passed through the bank for $4,000
which she has seen fit to lpay prompt-
ly. Those notes were signed by your
father, net by your mother. Why
does she discriminate unfairly against
the bank In caring for your fathers
obligations? l refer to the notes
given by your father to one. Abel
Vandamann."
My message, u.s." she said evenly,
coldIy, that there are circumstances
encouraging our fervent hopes. the
possible relief of the bank, that you
and ourselves must wait for-must."
1t was her last word. With a mo-
ton of head and body that was all it
should be, with the air Of an empress
she went from the room, and l stood
staring blankly after her, Analysing
every word she had said, weighing it,
iissecting it, seized with sudden in
spiratian and carrying it forthwith to
the president of the bank. He was
a man of few words and / lent my
self to his system.
1T Is simply-wait," / said.
He shrugged his shoulders, knowing
| had done my full duty
mo pressure possible, then, you
thjnkt"
None at the present time. There
is action possible, though" said.
You means"
"Resilius Marvel"
Get him.
When the bank-or any other bank
said "get Resilius Marvel" 1t signi-
fed the abandonment of direction or
opinion. It meant unrestricted power
awarded Marvel, great man that he
was-he, the brains, mouthpiece and
active director of the great United
Bankers Protective association. Mar
vel was not a collector for the banks
He was the last resource, the final
court Of appeal in case when the
layman in investigatory science came
face to face with blank wall, threw
up his cards, and left the game to ar
expert
My friend listened patiently, but
rather bored / fancied, to my tame
story of what had seemed quite sen
sational at my first impetuous view o