The History Of A Cheque.

THE HISTORY OF A CHEQUE .

TITE confess that we dunned Jones for our little outstanding * ' account until we were almost ashamed of onrself . Jones is such a good fellow , and is generally ready to meet bis engagements ; but , in this instance , he did not display any remarkable readiness to part with his cash . The other evening , however , he surprised us with a chequo , payable to order . It was drawn upon a small

banker , who hangs out up one pair of stairs in a gloomy part of the City . Having no banking account of our own , wo trotted off next day to the little millionaire , for the purpose of turning our invaluable piece of paper into tho genuine article . We were not much astonished to find a bank in a one pair back room . We know men

of the banker persuasion who carry on business in apartments much nearer heaven than that , and so we climbed the stair 3 with no misgivings as to the ultimate result of our visit . We knew Jones was solvent , and felt fully assured that the guardian of his cash could honour any reasonable demand . Full of these ideas , we entered

a small stuffy room , and presented our magic paper to tho only clerk visible . Ho was a young fellow , and the expressive pantomime he exhibited during tho transaction of the business which brought us into his gravo presence indicated that he possessed a decided natural talent for the stage . No theatrical attorney or money lender ,

scrutinising a donbtful bill , could have done the business better . He took the cheque from us fearfully , with the air of a man who secretly dreaded that we had come to chaw up the concern . Finding , however , that the amonnt was bat a modest "fiver , " he showed evident signs of relief , and at once proceeded to as minute an

examination of the document as a bibliomaniac might bestow upon a reputed autograph of Shakspeare . Ho turned the unfortunate piece of papor in various directions ; held it from him at arm ' s length , and took a bird ' s eye view of it . Then ho laid it on the desk , and , no doubt , mentally considered how it would look mounted and

framed in a neat gilt moulding . His verdict was evidently adverse to it as a work of art , and , apparently , to gain further time , he read it through from beginning to end , including the printed address of the firm , and the beautifully embossed inscription on the penuy stamp . Ho then bethought him of the

endorsement , and looked to see that that was all right , casting an inquiring glance at us , at the same time , as if questioning whether the dashing signatnro was really ours . Being still dissatisfied with the draft , both as a work of art , and as an order upon the unlimited cash in tho coffers of the concern , ho turned to the safe and produced

an indexed book of signatures . This curiosity of banking then ran his finger , in a leisurely manner , as if time was no object , down the letters until ho reached " J , " and having unearthed the name ho was seeking , he proceeded , with the air of an expert , to comparo tho writing on the draft with the ori ginal scrawl of tho immortal

Jones . While this solemn pantomime was proceeding we suffered a variety of sensations too acuto and painful to be described . Did tho fellow think we had forged tho wretched cheque ? Was he doubtful about Jones ' s balance , or was he merely scheming to gain time while the small boy wo had seen on the landing outside was running for the

police ? Feeling much annoyed at our unpleasant position , and thinking that a little comic business would improve the performance , we ventured upon some mild banter . How often in the course of the year did they cash cheques for such a largo amount ? Would it bo necessary to draw upon the reserve in tho Bank of

England , and would the draft tell seriously upon the "drain of gold ?" This had tho desired effect , for the grave pantomimist slowly put his hand into his pocket . " By Jove , " thought we , " there is no money in the blessed concern , and this poor fellow is going to advance the amount out of his own slender means ! " But , instead of pulling

out his purse , our silent cash clerk produced a small key , and , with the solemnity which the Constablo of the Tower might affect when about to unlock tho cage which guards tho Crowu Jewels , ho proceeded to open a small drawer . From this mystic receptacle he produced , with evident reluctance , five sovereigns , and by way of keeping up

the fiction of a bank , and the sacred traditions of all cash clerks , ho cautiously pushed this vast sum towards us with a shovel big enough to hold a thousand pounds . We pocketed the money with a deep sigh of relief , and bolted , remarking at the same time that a cheque after all appeared to bo very unsatisfactory " raw material" to take

in exchango for the " drain of gold . " Wo did not feel fully assured that tho small boy was not at onr heels until we had placed two or three strocts between us and the bank , and we are not quite sure even now that tho grave cash clerk will not repent his indiscretion and raise the hue and cry against ns . Five pounds is a serious sum ,

and perhaps on the whole wo are nob so much in need of this amount as tho banker . We confess we have had serious thoughts at times of banking the surplus of our small income . The idea of " coming the Old Soldier " over our tradesmen with a brand new cheque

book , and the issuing of a draft to order with the air of a man who has thousands in reserve , has had its fascinations for us . Our recent experience , however , has convinced n 3 that the cracked tea-pot and the stocking have decided advantages of their own , and if Jonea

The History Of A Cheque.

again favours u 3 with his revered autograph we shall thmk twica before we venture to place ourself in a position akin to that of a pauper begging for relief from a stern guardian of the poor . If there should ever be a run npon Jones's banker , that qulot cash clerk will provo invaluable If he found it convenient to espond tea

minutes in tho payment of a cheque for five pounds , wo wonder how long it would take him to cash a draft for a thousand ? The problem is a simple rnlo of three sum , and , perhaps , some of our lads in the Masonio School may amuse themselves by attempting its solution . Wo may add , in conclusion , that the profundities of banking havo

always inspired us with a certain degree of awe , but it is evident that there are depths , and , haviug regard to the before-mentioned stairs , heights , in the systom , which havo yet to be explored by the inexperienced litterateur . Our recent experience has convinced us that five pounds is after all no mean sum . When one reflects that

one may frighten a cash clerk , and risk the stoppage of a flourishing concern by a simple demand for that amount , one shoald carry away a lesson worth learning . Like most scribblers , wo have not hitherto

thought much of this vast sum , but , in future , we shall bear its value in mind ; and the next time wo read the Times' money article we shall not be surprised to learn that a flourishing banker has failed with assets of three-farthings , and liabilities to the enormous amount of £ 2 16 a 8 d .

Masonic Drones.

MASONIC DRONES .

( From the Masonic Advocate . ) IF there is one thing more than another that wo especially dislike ib is a drone , whether in the beehive , the Masonic Lodge , or the world at large , it is all tho same—a woi-thle 3 s , lazy , indolent life—livinsr

on the labour of others . That there aro many such in every phaso of human life is evident to the most casual observer , and hence it is not surprising that more or less of thorn find their way into our Masonio

Lodges . That they are tho bane of the institution of Freemasonry i 3 evident to every one who has ever held a supervising position in an official capacity in the Order , and how to make thorn available is tho problem that many havo attempted to solve , but tho result has been generally far from satisfactory . They still exist with their bli ghting influence ; the vitality of Masonry is sapped to its very roots by

their connection with it , and it withers in the noontido of its prosperity , as tho plant in sandy soil withers beneath the scorching rays of a meridian sun . It is almost a wonder how such droiv-s ever bo . came Masons , for their petition must havo como as their own voluntary act , and they have never been known to do anything voluntarily in a Masonic way since . Thoy pay their dues , when compelled to do

so , to preservo their Masonic standing , and attend their Lodge in obedience to a summons for tho same reason . If asked to perform any Masonic duty , such as sitting up with a sick b other , providing for those who are destitute , or relieving those who aro in distross , they have important business which must be attended to—they are very sorry that it has happened so—but they must bo excused thin

time . They novor perform any such service while there is any possible way to avoid it , but they are the first to ask it for themselves in tho hour of need , or when they can bo benefitted by it , and if it is not promptly rendered to their entire satisfaction , Masonry is declared to be a hnmbug , and Masonic obligations the merest pretence . The beautiful lessons of brotherly love and charity

inculcated so impressively in the several degrees they havo taken , have fallen Jiko xoort seed npon stony ground , and hence bnngeth forth no fruit . Now it is evident that there must be somo defect , something wrong-, or this condition of affairs could not exist , and to endeavour to discover the cause and apply the remedy should be tho aim of all who desire to increase the usefulness and promote tho prosperity of

Masonry . Thoro are undoubtedly many reasons which will present themselves to tho thoughtful Mason , but chief among them , wo apprehend , is tho fact that a great many men have orroneons rleag in regard to the institution before they become memhers of it , and not finding it just what thoy had supposed it to be , in their disappointment they lose all interest in it and become simply nominal Masons .

They had imagined that Masonry was a highway to distinction , honours , riches and power , but found instead that it laid upon them new cares , labours and responsibilities , which they were unwilling to assume . Instead of a denire of being serviceable to their fellow creatures , it turns out that their desire is to make the whole fraternity of service to themselves , and if this canuot bo done thoy

have no further use for Masonry . Another class havo become drones becanse they havo never learned enough of Masonry to become interested in it , or they do not agree with the majority in the management of che Lodge , or they have had a personal difficulty with some brother , or somo members do not live up to their idea of morality , and they do not wish to associate

with such profligate fellows . Instead of doing their own plain duty in such cases , they shirk the responsibility , and attempt to throw all the blame on others . The great trunblo in this whole matter is , these men have none of the spirit of Masonry in them , and ought never to have been admitted into tho Lodge . Let our brothers then profit by their past experience , and more carefully examine into the

character and qualifications of thoso who may seek admission into our Order . Let it not be sufficient that there is nothing against the moral character of tho applicant , but sec to it that he possesses positive qualities , and the capacity to understand and appreciate what will be required of him as a Mason . Make less members and more Masons , and there will be fewer drones in our Lodges .