Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1917 — Bill and The Bank President. [ARTICLE]

Bill and The Bank President.

It was long after banking hours and only the assistant janitor and the bank president were “on the job” in the great Chicago banking institution. The executive, having cleaned up the mass of business on’his desk, lighted a long, pencil-shapen cigar and lolled back in his swivel chair. Bill, the redfaced, good-natured member of the clean-up brigade, entered the office and headed for the waste basket. The bank president remembered that Bill had bought a SIOO Liberty bond in the second campaign. “Are you having any trouble in meeting the payments on your Liberty bond, Bill?” asked the executive. “No trouble, sir,” replied the janitor. “I’ve done a bit o’ plannin’ and trimmin’, though, but it ain’t given me any trouble. I’m better off for the plannin’ and trimmin’.” “I’m imagine you have—well, a sort o’ better opinion of yourself for saving up and lending your money to the Government,’’ said the president. “I’m sorry I ain’t young enough to be ‘over there’ with the boys,” said Bill, “but since I ain’t there and won’t be there unless the army needs men with rheumatiz in one out o’ evejy three joints, I feel it necessary to do what I can do here at home. Oh, I know I ain’t doin’ much—ain’t doin’ anything, in fact, by lending my little money to the government and gettin’ good interest on it, but I am gettin’ that little money together, thanks to the amazin’ way my wife trims here and there and workin’ th’ left-over things- fyto new dishes.” A

“It’s a fine»thing to be a bondholder—a real partner in the great firm of Uncle Sam and Company,” said the president. “One’really has a better opinion of himself when he feels that he is lending a hand.” “I’d like to have ten o’ them bonds,” said Bill, “but, of course, I ain’t bitin’ off more ’n I can chew. But I’m goin’ to be right there when the third loan comes out. There’s real sport in cuttin’ out the things—unnecessary things. I haven’t been over to th’ ’corner’ with th’ gang for weeks. I used to feel that I didn’t ‘belong’ unless I drifted over there and spent at least a quarter every night. My oldest girl has got that war savings stamp fever for fair, and she’s coppin’ all the extra quarters.” “You have bought a Liberty bond; your wife has trimmed here and there in order that you might have the necessary money, and your daughter is buying the war savings stamp,” said the bank president. “Your little home, Bill, is doing its full duty, and you ought to be thoroughly proud of it—including yourself.’ “Oh, I ain’t doin’ as much as I’d like to dp,” said Bill, blushing at the compliment, “but I’m doin’ about all I can do, so I really ain’t ashamed of myself.” “I’m trimming, too, Bill,” said the bank president. “This cigar I’m smoking costs just one-third as much as the one I’ve been in the habit of smoking and I’m not smoking as many cigars a day as I used to smoke. I’ve had my shoes resoled for the first time in twenty years. It used to be that every time I’d run mv heels down a little I’d chuck the shoes and buy a new pair. I’m going to wear this suit of clothes until it wears out, no matter how glossy it becomes, I’m going to—.” “Oh, but you don’t have to pinch that way,” interrupted Bill a bit apologetically; “you can afford to wear the best.” “I know it,” said the bank president, “but I’m going to be thrifty myself. »As your say, there’s real sport in playing/the game of thrift. The Government can have all I’ve got. I mean that. It has been good to me and I’m going to try to show my appreciation. I’ll be right there when the third loan is out.” “I’ll be ridin’ along with you, sir,” said Bill with a chuckle. And now Bill and the bank president are mates on the good ship Thrift.