The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1920-1982, 1922-08-16
Old Joe's
Lapse
By AUSTIN FLEET
Observation-Disclosures
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Harvey Ackers, the president of the
County Farmers bank sat late at his
desk. It was common gossip in town
that the County Farmers was In
bad way. There had been a run on the
institution that day, and the next day
would find it straining all it's resources
to meet the rush Of Withdrawals.
Ackers was puzzling, working des-
perately as he sat there alone that eve
ming. But his mind would wander.
He was thinking at the moment that,
Of oil his acquaintance in town, there
was not single friend whom he could
summon to help him in his difficulty.
How many friends had he? He could
count them on his fingers. There was
his brother Tom, whom he had not
seen in twenty years; there was
woman In st. Louis, whom he intended
to see very soon; and there was-why,
there was Old Joe, the Waterman.
Old Joe's devotion to Ackers was
one Of the jokes Of the bank. Since
the day, two years before, when
Ackers, on an impulse, had given Old
Joe fifty dollars to help pay for his
sick wife's operation, the old man had
watched him with the trustful eyes Of
dog. When Harvey had grippe, Old
Joe had inquired about him at his door
three times day.
Ackers smiled. 1t was peculiar. Old
Joe's devotion. 1t touched him in a
way, too. He always passed the time
Of day to Joe when he entered the
bank. Sometimes Old Jde asked his
advice about his son at college. Old
Joe was very proud Of the boy. And
Ackers wondered of what use their
friendship was.
Suddenly he sttffened in his chair.
Some sixth sense in him had given
him warning. He did not know what
the warning portended, but instinc-
lively he thought of the safe in the
vault below.
1t was all nonsense, of course, but
Ackers hurriedly glanced at the tele-
| gram he was writing to the girl In st.
Louis. Meet me at depot 4.25," it ran.
he was going to see her on the NOR
row. He had not seen her for whole
year. They would have happy time
together.
Then he made his way out Of his Of
fee, went softly down the stairs, and,
with his key, unlocked the door Of the
vault. Instantly he stood stock still
in amazement at what he saw.
Old Joe was on his knees before
the open vault, busily transferring
bundles of bills into leather bag.
At the sound of the click Of the key
Old Joe turned round, and remained,
crouching upon his knees, and looking
up at Ackers in conformation and h0r-
ror.
Ackers was unarmed, but he felt
confident that, II Old Joe had pistol,
he would not 60 to the length Of using
1t. He strobe forward.
"Tm sorry to see this, joe" he said,
tn mattef-of-fact tones that, surprised
him as he uttered them.
"How did it happenT'
And Joe was equally succinct
tits that boy Of mine, Mr.. Ackers, -
he said, almost whimpering. Hes got
into trouble. Hes going to be pinched
unless-it's a thousand dollars, Mr..
Ackers, and-and went mad, !
guess"
$50 you've been in the business be-
fore?" asked Ackers sternly.
Old Joe gulped. Twenty years ago,
SIR" he answered, "And-Tm ready to
60 to the pen. took chance. You've
caught me with the goods"
Ackers appeared to hesitate; q
frown wrinkled his forehead.
"Joe," he said at last ''the best men
are tempted sometimes. 1t doesn't
pay, Joe. I'm not speaking on moral
principles, butt doesn't pay. You
fool, don't you see discovery was Ger.
tainf"
| Joe looked dumbly up at the pres.
dent, the faintest CLEAN Of hope in hia
eyes leaping into ecstasy at Ackers
next words.
"Joe, I'm not going to send you to
the pen. / know temptation comes to
all Of U.S."
"God bless you, sir" faltered Old
Joe. 1t was clear that the old man
was utterly abtect Ackers took the
bundles out Of the bag and counted
them.
"Forty-f1ve thousand, joe" he said
''Yot certainly were going some
Herel" He peeled off roll of yellow
backs. Here's your thousand. You
can pay me back during the remainder
of your working days here. Now skip y
Joe fell at his feet. "You mean you
won't have me arrested. Mr.. Ackers
and you'll lend me the money!" be
babbled. "God bless you-Oh, Hell
reward you, sir!"
Maybe" said Ackers caustically
"but this things strictly between u
two, and you understand. don't
want to be shut up in madhouse fol
the rest Of my days. Back to your
Job; and when you get outside that
door this is forgotten"