The Patriot and the Banker

  A PATRIOT¹ who had taken office poor and retired² rich was introduced
at a bank where he desired to open an account.

  "With pleasure," said the Honest Banker; "we shall be glad to do
business with you; but first you must make yourself an honest man
by restoring what you stole from the Government."

  "Good heavens!" cried the Patriot; "if I do that, I shall have
nothing to deposit with you."

  "I don't see that," the Honest Banker replied.  "We are not the
whole American people."

  "Ah, I understand," said the Patriot, musing³.  "At what sum do you
estimate this bank's proportion of the country's loss by me?"

  "About a dollar," answered the Honest Banker.

  And with a proud consciousness of serving his country wisely and
well he charged that sum to the account.