"If you'll O. K. them notes for discount, I'll be much obliged, and
won't take up valuable time."

"We're tightening up on discounts--calling in many loans, too," stated
President Britt, with financial frigidity.

"I know all about your calling loans, Mr. Britt. Much obliged. It makes
a crackerjack market for me in the cattle business. They've got to raise
money, and I'm setting my own prices." Stickney thawed and beamed
on Britt with a show of fraternal spirit, as if the banker were a
co-conspirator in the job of shaking down the public. "However, my notes
there are all good butchers' paper--sound as a pennyroyal hymn! I've got
to have the cash so as to steal more cattle while the market is as it
is."

Britt pushed away the notes and seized the opportunity to turn his own
papers upside down on the desk. "We can't accommodate you at present,
Stickney."

The customer stepped back and propped his palms on his hips. "I reckon
I've got to call for an explanation."

"We're not in the habit of explaining the details of our business to
individuals."

Stickney slipped the leash on his indignation. "'We,' say you? All
right! 'We' it is. I'm in on that 'we.' I'm a stockholder in the bank.
What sort of investments are 'we' making that have caused money to be
so tight here that a regular customer is turned down--and after enough
loans have been called to make the vault bulge?"

"The report will show," returned Britt, coldly. "I am not called on
to issue that report in installments every time a stockholder turns in
here."

The especial stockholder stepped forward and tapped his finger on the
desk. "I don't say that you are. But now that this subject is opened
up--"

"The subject is closed, Stickney."

"Now that the subject is opened up," insisted the other man, "I'll make
mention of what you probably know--that I have regular business 'most
every day down in Levant at the railroad terminus. And I'm knowing to it
that regular shipments of specie have been coming to the bank. If that
specie is in our vaults it ain't sweating off more gold and silver, is
it, or drawing interest? I know you're a shrewd operator, Britt. I ain't
doubting but what your plans may be good."

"They are!" President Britt's retort was crisp.

"But when those plans put a crimp into _my_ plans--and me a steady
customer--I'm opening my mouth to ask questions."

"You--and all other stockholders--will be fully informed by the annual
report--and