A Hasty Settlement

　　THE Head Rifler of an insolvent1 bank, learning that it was about to

　　be visited by the official Noser into Things, placed his own

　　personal note for a large amount among its resources, and, gaily2

　　touching3 his guitar, awaited the inspection4. When the Noser came

　　to the note he asked, "What's this?"

　　"That," said the Assistant Pocketer of Deposits, "is one of our

　　liabilities."

　　"A liability?" exclaimed the Noser. "Nay5, nay, an asset. That is

　　what you mean, doubtless."

　　"Therein you err," the Pocketer explained; "that note was written

　　in the bank with our own pen, ink, and paper, and we have not paid

　　a stationery6 bill for six months."

　　"Ah, I see," the Noser said, thoughtfully; "it is a liability. May

　　I ask how you expect to meet it?"

　　"With fortitude7, please God," answered the Assistant Pocketer, his

　　eyes to Heaven raising - "with fortitude and a firm reliance on the

　　laxity of the law."

　　"Enough, enough," exclaimed the faithful servant of the State,

　　choking with emotion; "here is a certificate of solvency8."

　　"And here is a bottle of ink," the grateful financier said,

　　slipping it into the other's pocket; "it is all that we have."