Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1921-09-15
Cash Saves . Bank
and Cupid
.eA 1874. western Newspaper Union
B, HAZEL SMITH

&c. 1891. Western Newspaper Unionl
Randall Webster. the young and
handsome president Of the Bank OF
Greenville. opened the door Of bis
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 q chair,
the picture Of despairing misery.
ut has come" he told himself in q
harsh. rncking whisper-''the worst,
the endl"
There came a tap at the door. The
young fnancier sprang to his feet. A
brief. vague hope gave him momen-
tary energy. Then his soul seemed to
die within him, as his cashier enter
ed the room with face blanched and
fear-crossed as his own.
"Any word7" projected Webster,
hoarsely.
"None. Mr.. Webster, we must face
the crisis, the worst Of rumors as to
the sdlvency 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.
GLOW much lis there In the bank In
ready cash7'
Less than $4,000"
"Pay 1t out to the last, dollar as
slowly as you can. II we can tide
over for few hours help may come"
"And IL It does not-and when the
money gives outT 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 trusted employee
Of the bank to a. 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 world-Ethel Morris. They
were to have been welded In month,
but IL the bank broke-then Webster
well knew her proud, exclusive fam
lily would scarcely favor discredited
bankrupt. It was a forlorn fight for
business preservation and love.
Webster hurried into the counting
room rs great cutlery arose. He
hoped It was his messenger arrived !;
he feared 1t was new riot. It lacked
just fveSminutes Of ten. A remarkable
scene greeted his sight.
A whskered, farmer-looking man
was talking to the excited crowd. He
was waving. great bundle Of bank
notes In !. one hand. There was q
cheer. ID his other hand the stranger
carried an old battered satchel. With
it he pounded on the door.
Let me, in... I 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 a rock!"
"Where .is Mr.. Webster?" he de-
manded. "Ah, there he u.s." and he
approached the counter and nodded
to the wondering banker. Remember
me, Mr. Webster"
"See here, rand he began to bring
from his pockets bundle after bundle
Of bank notes. There's $4,000.
Use it." 4.
The man piled up bundle after
bundle Of crisp green bank notes.
"Shove 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" TIA
The stranger drew to one side, as Il
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. 5ts
With . great sigh: Of relief Randall
Webster beckoned the stranger into
his private room. .S 8. u a.
Nov them. he SAID, swhat does
thls al mean and whe are your"
sYou don't know me, chr he said.
.sWetl, I'm bringing you back some Of
the bread you cast upon the waters
6ye years ago. i.
s. % was a lawyer then. and you de-
tended n the city 9 member Of a gang
~ eounterfe iters. Now do. yon re-
apem ber9.' s ;5 81. !s i ,:s
yes,'' answered Webster.