Catoctin clarion., 1921-09-08
Cash Saves a Bank
and Cupid
tSl. isai. Western Newspaper Union ]
By HAZEL SMITH

handsome president of the Bank Of
Greenville. opened the door of his
private Office. He glanced into the
counting room, and beyond 1t at the
jostling crowds in the street outside.
Then with groan he sank to chair,
the picture of despairing misery.
ut has come" he told himself In a
harsh. racking whisper-"the worst,
+ the end!"
There came a tap at the door. The
young financier sprang to his feet. A
brief, vague hope gave him molnen-
tary energy. Then his soul seemed to
die within him, as his cashier enter
ed the room with face blanched anti
fear-cr0ssed as his own.
: "Any word?" projected Webster.
hOarsely.
"None. Mr.. Webster, we must face
the crisis. the worst Of rumOrs as to
the solvency Of the institution have
got abroad. A mob of depOsitors from
the mills is in front of the bank. They
are wrought up and dangerous.
"HOw much Is there In the bank In
ready cash?"
LESS than $4,000"
"Pay II out to the last dollar as
slowly as you can. If we can tide
over for few hours help may come
"And If 1t does nOt-and when the
money gives out?" questioned the
cashier, fearsomely.
Put up sign and close the bank
Left to himself, the young banker
reviewed the situation. The report
was current that the bank was going
to fail. Result: The frantic, desperate
mob Of frightened depOsitOrs now
clamoring at the great locked doors.
Webster had sent a trusted employee
of the bank to rich relative In the
city. He carried an urgent appeal for
succor. The messenger had not re-
ported.
A graver shade of feeling covered
the features of the young financier as
he thought Of the one dearest to him
In all the world-Ethel Morris. They
were to have been welded in month,
but If the bank brOke-then Webster
well knew her proud, exclusive fam
lily would scarcely favor discredited
bankrupt. 1t was a forlOrn fight for
business preservation and love.
Webster hurried into the counting
room as great outcry arose. He
hoped 1t was his messenger arrived /;
he feafed it was new riot. 1t lacked
Just five minutes Of ten. A remarkable
scene greeted his sight.
A whiskered, farmer-looking man
was talking to the excited crowd. He
was waiving a great bundle Of bank
notes in one hand. There was
cheer. In his other hand the stranger
carried an old battered satchel. With
1t he pounded on the door.
LET me In. l must get In ~ the as
tonished Webster heard him shout out.
and then to the people: Don't get
scared. Randall Webster Is an honest
man, and the Bank Of Greenville Is
solid as rock"
"Where Is Mr.. Webster?" he de-
manded. "Ah. there he is," and he
approached the counter and nodded
to the wondering banker. Remember
me, Mr. Webster?"
"See here" and he began to bring
from his pockets bundle after bundle
Of bank notes. There's $4,000.
Use It,"
The man piled up bundle after
bundle Of crisp green bank notes.
nShove them up against the glass
where they will show" ordered the
stranger. "Only, don't pay out any Of
this heap. You won't need to. That
pile, the real cash paid out right along,
will soon tame that unruly mob"
"Ten O'clock" announced the dumb
founded cashier. "Open up."
The stranger drew to one side, as II
ENJOYING the scene. The astounded
Webster was soon too busy to notice
him. The eager crowd filed in; every
body was paid promptly. Within an
hour the news went all over town
that the bank was safe.
! With O great sigh Of relief Randall
Webster beckoned the stranger into
his private room.
"NOw them" he said. "what does
this all mean and who are yOu?
"YOu don't know me. eh?" he said.
"Well, I'm bringing you back some Of
the bread you cast upon the waters
five years ago."
"You was a lawyer then, and you de-
Tended In the city member Of gang
Of cOunterfeiters. Now do you re-
member?"
"Why. yes" answered Webster,
slowly.
| "My name was Dallas-not now
I've changed 1t. You got me free, you
gave me a great lecture. A relative left
me a fortune l have kept track Of
you. l heard of your trouble"
"And you have saved the bank J"
cried the grateful Webster.
Webster paid back his grateful
friend In need. He did not tell even
Ethel the story. Down deep In his
heart, however, he fervently cherish
ed the gratitude of the reformed GRIM
inal who had saved the bank at q
critical tuncture.
One Case, Anyhow.
/ l,w