Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1932-11-24
American Madness
oBrien Cummings

got panic-stricken. Listen Get a-hold
OF our available securities and have
them turned into cash Walt n
minute. Get my personal stuff and
have that turned into cash too Tell
| the boys that anyone caught arguing
with the depositors will be fired on
| the spot"
Eyes, STR" Sampson left to carry
out Dicksons orders.
AS the president turned to return
! to Matt, Clark rushed up to him. He
was accompanied by members Of the
board. "Mr. Dickson, we want to talk
to you"
What about?"
wen discuss that in the board
ROOM"
Dickson started away with the men,
but the Inspector checked him. Mr..
Dickson, we've got report on
Browns alibi. Want to hear it?'
"All right Dickson turned to the
directors. go to the board room,
I'll be with you in minute" With
that he turned and entered Simpsons
office in the wake of the Inspector
while the directors went into the
board room.
Dickson smiled at the lad, confident
that the report was favorable. Now
don't worry, son. All you've got to is
to answer the questions they ask you.
That's ALL"
80 you were home last night?' IN
quired the Inspecor
/ YES" Mat replied.
| UNIyl,ot %i,,,a jtl x,N,, nat tI,araop
About IL o'clock"
The Inspector nodded to one OF his
men, who retired and entered almost
Immediately followed by Mrs. Halli-
gan, with whom Matt boarded. She
had been up taking mustard bath
and heard Matt come in at o'clock
rs that true, Matt?" Dickson in
quired.
"of course it's true and he knows
it," the Inspector shouted.
Matt was silent. Dickson went
over to him and in fatherly manner
said, Listen, Matt, if you don't tel
the truth, ! can't help you. Where
were you last night?" Matt was silent
Dickson looked at him sternly. "Dc
you realize you're up against some
thing. You're being charged with
murder. It's serious, son. Now CONF
on know you didn't do it--but we've
got to make them believe it. Come
on, tell the truth, where were you last
night2"
II can't tell you"
Listen. if I get these men out o.
the room, will you tell me?'
mo, I won't"
|. you're protecting somebody"
mo, I'm not, Mr.. Dickson
Eyes, you are. You're protecting
somebody. Now listen. 1t doesn'
make any difference who it is. I
can't be as important as this. Conn
on, tell me- Where were you las
night?"
n Matt refused to save himself b,
speaking. Mr.. Dickson had been to-
good to him to be injured by know
ing the truth about his wife. SeeinI
that pleading was of no avail, Dick
son left the office and went behint
the tellers' cages speaking loudly S,
that the excited depositors nigh
J hear. Come on, now, give thes,
people their money. What's the mat
. ter? Can't you see that there's a lin,
waiting? Go ahead. hurry up. Go
plenty of money here?"
The teller replied in low voice
81 don't know, Mr.. Dickson"
eyes, sure, you're all right, you've
got plenty of money. Here, whosi
window is this? Open it up, gel
somebody here to pay these people
We can't keep line like this waiting.
Sampson came up. Look at them
Mr.. Dickson, they're crazy"
did you get the cash for thu
securities?"
!! Eyes, but as soon as our none,
runs out, they'll mob the place
Sampson was on the verge of panic
himself.
1.-THE fools!" Dickson exclaimed
looking out over the surging mob. "I
they only knew it, they're making il
worse for themselves. Somebody START
a silly ruInor and they lose theil
heads"
"Whatll we dop' Sampson wa.
without a thought.
"I'll talk to them You go back ane
tell the boys to stall, as much as pos.
sible. Tell them not to pay any at.
tention to what I said. Tell them tt
verify every signature" Then turning
to the crowd, he said. Listen, every.
body. Take your time don't get eX.
cited. Everybody stay in line you'll
all be taken care of. want you t.
know that your moneys safe. This
banks in excellent condition. I've goi
seven paying tellers working as fasI
as they can. If you'll calm down, III
make arrangements to keep the bani
open until a o'clock so that you'll al
be paid"