Daily Globe

Forney's Money--The Dishonored Check at the Girard Bank.

[Philadelphia Press.]

Col. Forney was supremely and curiously indifferent in money matters. One instance that strongly illustrates this trait has caused many a hearty laugh among his acquaintances. Despite the advice of many friends, among them Pierce Butler, the husband of Fanny Kemble, he determined to invest a large sum of money in a new enterprise--a rice cleaning machine, or something of that sort. He felt financially able to do this, by reason of having made a sale of some Lake Superior property. He filled out a check on the Girard bank for a very large amount, and intrusted it to a friend for collection. When the piece of paper was presented to the paying teller, that official first scratched his chin and then went to see the president of the bank, who at that time was Mr. Boker, father of the Hon. George H. Boker. Mr. Boker came forward smilingly and said that while Col. Forney had quite a large sum of money on deposit in the bank, the amount to his credit was not equal to that called for by the check, but still if Col. Forney would step down to the bank himself the check would be honored. The friend returned to the Press office in an indignant frame of mind, and told Col. Forney that he had made him the bearer of a check that had been dishonored, for the reason that there was not sufficient funds in the bank. "Some mistake, sir; some mistake," replied the big-hearted editor. "I have much more than that on deposit in the bank," and he uttered the name of a familiar depository other than the Girard. "But I did not go there," replied the friend in amazement. "The check is drawn on the Girard bank." "My! my!" said Col. Forney. "did I make such a silly mistake? Why, I have not a penny in the Girard bank. I did not intend to send there." "Oh, yes, you have a large deposit in the Girard bank," answered the friend, "but it was not sufficient to meet this check." "A mistake, sir, a mistake," replied the colonel. "I have not a penny there." A visit was made to the Girard bank, however, and Col. Forney found to his amazement that he was much richer than he thought. In the same way, when the Longacre's bank in Lancaster failed, Col. Forney found that he had a long-time deposit there that he had known nothing of. It was this indifference in money matters that exemplified probably as well as any other trait the lavish disposition of the man now mourned; lavish not only with his wealth, but with the more precious treasures of his heart.