The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1917-09-06

MT WAS hard task that the presi-
dent of one bank had given me. A
standard financial institution IS
rarely DESTROYS Of doing business
with a woman, at least beyond the
mere depositor basis. In the present
instance it was not only woman, but
young and pretty one. Add to this
the fact that the lady in question was
in deep distress, that her case pre-
sented angles suggesting evasion ana
even mystery, and you will not won
der why every official Of the bank from
the president down to the assistant
cashier had SHE'D at the task which l
was now obliged to shoulder.
do the best you can to get ou~
money out of this muddlc," 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
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 Clearly
attended to. There was not a mar or
break in the admirable paying system
of Royal Ludington. When death
closed the 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 l had been
advised Miss Grace Ludington was
awaiting attention.
III came about this" she said in
tone child-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. I turned it over and over
in my hand, seeking to fix upon the
manner l 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.
Il see," l observed, trying to gain
time, for l am not a 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
tinally-"she will not come"
Surely" l observed, Mrs. Royal
Huntington does not repudiate the OBJ
igation?"
For the pyesent-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 pay prompt
ay Those notes were signed by your
father, not by your mother. Why
does she discriminate unfairly against
the bank in caring for your fathers
Obligations? I refer to the notes
given by your father to one Abel
Vandamann."
MY message, isl she said evenly,
coldly, that there are circumstances
encouraging our fervent hopes. the
possible relief of the bank, that you
and ourselves must wait for-must.'
It was her last word. With 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, analyzing
every word she had said, weighing it,
dissecting it, seized with a sudden In
SEPARATION and carrying it forthwith to
the president of the bank. He was
a man of few words and I lent my
self to his system.
1T is simply-wait," l said.
He shrugged his shoulders, knowing
y had done my tr!! duty
mo pressure possible, then, you
Think"
None at the present time. There
is action possible, though" I said.
You mean?"
''Resilius Marvel"
Get him.
When the bank-or any other bank
said get Resilius Marvel" it signi-
fled 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
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