Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-07-01
The Banker of
Scottboro
By HAROLD SINCLAIRE
(9, 1921. Western Newspaper Union,)


&C. 1921, Western Newspaper Union)
When John White, the banker of
ScOttbOrO, announced that he had dis
pensed with the services Of Ned Wal
tiers, people were good deal sur
prised. The young man was general
favorite In the town. Suddenly, at a
days notice, he had been asked to
turn over his books to new cashier.
"Kelative Of mine, this new official"
the bank president rather lamely ex-
| planned.
Rubbish" commented Mrs. Bunsby,
head gossip Of the place. "Mr. Wal
ters presumed to lift his eyes to FL
oise White. That was enough for the
old man, who wouldn't look at a SON
in-law with less than million
Mrs. Bunsby had read the situation
Alright, and no one knew 1t better than
the sadly disconsolate Ned. But he
looked around for new position,
awaiting decision on some OF his
applications. Mr.. White had put his
foot down firmly, forbade him the
house, and Eloise was dutiful daugh-
ter. She had met her lover just once
since her father had dismissed him
from his service.
1T Is the last time, Ned" she said,
like the brave, sensible little woman
she was. Until am Of age l shall
feel that l belong to papa" The bank
In another city where he first had been
employed offered him subordinate
position.
1t was his last night in Scottboro.
With the morning he planned to go
his new place Of employment. AS q
magnet, the home which held his one
cherished treasure attracted him. He
passed its palatial front. All was
dark, and the household apparently
wrapt in slumber.
Mournfully Ned passed the house.
Then he started down a narrow lane.
AS he reached the point where 1t
merged into an alley that ran directly
behind the bank, Ned was surprised to
notice, standing in the vacant space at
the rear Of the Institution, wagon.
Two stealtby figures were just enter
ing the rear door Of the bank. A
metallic CLINT inside of the vehicle
caused Ned to gaze more closely. Deep
ly stirred at an extraordinary dis
covery, he gasped out:
"The small safe from the bank
vaultw
Then robbery burglary, was afoot
A sound at the rear Of the bank at
tracted Ned's attention. Two men
were coming.
Acting on quick impulse, Ned gave
spring and landed In the wagon.
Lets hurry" he heard gruff voice
speak. We've got about all there Is
worth taklng-whoa !"
Something had startled the horse.
So suddenly did the animal start up
that Ned was flung fiat, striking the
edge Of the steel safe. The wagon
swung about like the tail Of kite.
1t struck one Of the bridge pillars, the
horse tore loose, and the wagon
crashed through the railing and went
over into the river.
Ned reached the shOre-how, he
never knew.
Ned must have been In kind of de-
llrium after that. When he was again
restored to reason It was two days
later. He lay on couch In strange
room. A man, farmer, sat by his
side.
keep still, stranger" he urged.
"Ysu are all right, but the doctor says
you must rest. You kept calling for
some one so much" added the man,
"that when my wife found photo
graph In your pocket with name un-
der 1t, Miss Nellie White, she went to
town and saw the young lady. She's
here now, In the next room. She's
grand girl, let me tell you. When she
learned you was hurt, she gave up
home, father, everything to come and
nurse you. know the old miser-
man Of means, and mean, too. He's
down grade now, thoughr-bank rob-
bed, everything gone. Now, then, say,
I'm curious to know how you ever got
into this fix
Ned told. The farmer evlnced the
greatest excitement as his patient
spoke of the wagon box that went into
the river.
"Why" he exclaimed, ~ noticed the
battered wreck Of just such c0ntrap-
ton toated into the cutoff on my
and"
IF It is the one | was ln," declared
Ned excitedly, ut holds the safe stolen
from the bank"
1t did, as they soon ascertained. Old
John White had felt badly at losing
his daughter; he had felt worse at los
ny his fortune. Now, with chance
10 get both back, he graciously &C.
,epted Ned as a son-in-law.
The Pacific.