Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 October 1910 — A FRIEND IN NEED [ARTICLE]

A FRIEND IN NEED

Ernest Trevor was pacing back and forth nervously in his office. He had bought stocks by depositing with a broker 10 per cent of thetr value, and as they had declined 10 per cent he had been called upon for another 10 per cent. If it were not forthcoming the stocks would be sold and he would not get the benefit of a subsequent rise that would probably occur. In fact, he would be ruined. ? - Trevor was engaged to the daughter of a wealthy man who had given his consent to the marriage on Trevor’s representation that he was worth SIOO,000. This was true at the time the representation was made, but Trevor, having been caught in the decline of stocks, was now worth nothing. Nevertheless, as he had no more funds, he wrote a note to his broker to that effect and consenting to the sale of his security. He was sealing the note when a messenger entered with a communication from the cashier of the bank where he kept his funds. He sighed as he tore off the envelope, knowing that his account was overdrawn and expecting a notification to that effect. To his astonishment the note read as follows: We have to notify you that the sum of $20,000 has been placed to your credit in this bank. Mr. Trevor’s emotions may be better Imagined than described. Was it a mistake of the bank? Had the wrong person been notified? He stepped to the telephone and called up the cashier. “Who placed $20,000 to my credit?” he asked. “Hold the wire.” <- In a few minutes came the reply r “The check was payable to Martin Copeland, who made it payable to you.” - . , ■ ■■ “You have made a mistake. I don't know such a man. Who is he?” There was another request to hold the wire, and in five minutes the information came that the bank did not know Mr. Copeland and had no occasion to know him since the check had been certified by a bank that was perfectly good. This meant that the bank and not Mr. Copeland was responsible “Thank you. Goodby.” . Some one must have blundered. The money could not possibly come from any friend, for there was no one among those devoted to Trevor who could or would risk such an amdunt for friendship. Nevertheless, since he had honorably notified the bank of the probable error, he had done all that could be expected of him and, with plenty of money to his credit, did not propose to let a fortune slip through his fingers. He tore up the note he had written to his broker and wrote another. Inclosing a check for $5,000. He stayed in his office till 5 o’clock, expecting to get a notice from the broker that the bank had, after all, refused payment, but no notice came, nor did any ever come. Later he was obliged to send another check for margins for $5,000, which was also paid. When the market turned Trevor plunged on the remaining SIO,OOO to his credit, and in the end he not only regained what he had lost, but trebled it. He then sent a check for $20,000 to his bank for Martin Copeland, asking the cashier to let him know what became of it. He was informed that his check had been sent to the bank on which the original check to him had been drawn and had not been returned. It was supposed that Mr. Copeland had received it. The evening after Trevor had sent the check to Mr. Copeland he called at the house of his fiancee. Miss Eleanor Buckley, to take her to the opera. He found Mr. Buckley and his daughter standing over a number of necklaces, bracelets and other ornaments from which the gems had been extracted and were missing. There was a scowl on the father’s face, and the daughter was evidently troubled. Trevor was informed that Mr. Buckley, noticing that his daughter was going out without her jewels, had asked where they were. The result was the production of a good deal of gold, but no jewels. For this she gave no explanation. At this juncture a servant entered and handed Miss Buckley a package. She opened it and displayed the missing gems. “How’s this?” exclaimed Mr. Buckley. “Those are the identical jewels on which I recently lent $20,000. The request for a loan came while stocks were tumbling, and, though I don’t lend on jewels, at that time they were better than afiy securities offering.” The secret was out. Miss Buckley, knowing that her lover was in financial difficulty, had sent her jewels to her father through an acquaintance whom neither knew and placed the jnoney borrowed on them to Trevor’s credit.. Mr. Buckley frowned. He had beard that Trevor was a loser In stocks and feared that his fortune had disappeared. “My consent.” he said, “was gained on condition of your being worth a certain amount.” “Thanks to the loveliest girl in the world. I am worth three times that amount. Had the check not been forthcoming I would have been mined.” This was an argument the capitalist could understand, and his frown turned into a smile. Going to his daughter, he kissed her affectionately and grasped Trevor bv the baud. Miss Buckley went to the opera without her jewels, but she was told so often during the evening that she was herself th" most precious jewel tn the work! that this didn’t matter