Part 60 (2/2)

There were very many who soon felt the need of the peculiar help which a bank can give if it only chooses Those ent there found Pottsor so suspicious as other bankers They got what they wanted, laughed at his pleasant jokes, and assured every body that he was a much-belied man

Surely it was by some special inspiration that Potts hit upon this idea of a bank; if he wished to make people look kindly upon him, to ”be to his faults a little blind, and to his virtues very kind,” he could not have conceived any better or shorter way toward the accomplishment of so desirable a result

So lenient were these people that they looked upon all those who took part in the bank with equal indulgence The younger Potts was considered as a very clever ood-hearted Clark, one of the directors, was regarded as bluff, and shrewd, and cautious, but full of the milk of human kindness; and Philips, the cashi+er, was universally liked on account of his gentle, obsequious manner

So wide-spread and so active were the operations of this bank that people stood astonished and had nothing to say The amount of their accommodations was enormous Those who at first considered it a mushroom concern soon discovered their mistake; for the Brandon Bank had connections in London which seeive the coht be needed was at once advanced where the security was at all reliable Nor was the bank particular about security John Potts professed to trust much to people's faces and to their character, and there were ti at it, or even decline it and be satisfied with the naaining the fullest confidence even of those who had at first been rown to be considered without doubt one of the most considerable men in the county

One day in March John Potts was sitting in the parlor of the bank when a gentlee He had a slight stoop, and carried a gold-headed cane He was dressed in black, had gray hair, and a very heavy gray beard andMr Potts?” said the stranger, in a peculiarly high, shrill voice

”I'er thereupon drew a letter from his pocket-book and handed it to Potts The letter was a short one, and theup and held out his hand eagerly

”Mr Smithers, Sir!--you're welcome, Sir, I'm sure, Sir! Proud and happy, Sir, to see you, I'reat volubility

Mr Smithers, however, did not seem to see his hand, but seated himself leisurely on a chair, and looked for a ht

He was a singular-looking old rand, stern air upon his brohen it was in repose The lower part of his face was hidden by his beard, and its expression was therefore lost

His eyes, however, were singularly large and luenerally looked at the floor

”I have but recently returned from a tour,” said he, in the saed all the business in my absence, which has lastedacquainted with your banking-house when I left, and as I had business up this way I thought I would call on you”

”Proud, Sir, and most happy to welcome you to our modest parlor,” said Potts, obsequiously ”This is a pleasure--indeed Iwished to have In fact, I have never seen your junior partner, Sir, any ents, Sir, and have gone on and done ”

Mr Smithers bowed

”Quite so,” said he ”We have so many connections in all parts of the world that it is impossible to have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with theer transactions than yourself whom I have never seen”

”Indeed, Sir!” exclaier business than I thought”

”We do a large business,” said Mr Shtfully

”And all over the world, you said Then you must be worth millions”

”Oh, of course, one can not do a business like ours, that coe capital”

”Are there er business than I do?”

”Oh yes In New York the house of Peyton Brothers do a business of ten times the amount--yes, twenty tiold discoveries, has done a business with us ale In Bombay Messrs Nickerson, Bolton, & Co are our correspondents; in Calcutta Messrs Hoster Messrs Naylor & Tibbetts; in Sydney Messrs Sandford & Perley Besides these, we have correspondents through Europe and in all parts of England who do a ht you were aware of this,” said Mr Slance at Potts

”Of course, of course,” said Potts, hastily: ”I knew your business was enors with you were considerable”

”Oh, you are doing a snug business,” said S tone ”It is our custom whenever we have correspondents who are sound e them to the utmost This is the reason why you have always found us liberal and proreat service, Sir,” said Potts ”In fact, you have made the Brandon Bank what it is to-day”