Ogden Daily Standard | 1902-12-20 | Page 6 | He Worked the Banker Section

HE WORKED THE BANKER how a clever merchant killed two bird with one stone recently a wealthy merchant in paris who does an extensive business with japan was informed that a prominent una in yokohama had failed but the name of the firm be could not learn though he was most anxious to ascertain it was the one with which he did most b his business in that city he could leave learned the troth by cabling but instead be went ra the man a well known banker who had received the news and requested him to reveal the name of the firm to him a very delicate thing to do replied the banker for the news la not official and it I 1 gave you the name I 1 might incur some responsibility the merchant argued but in vain and finally he made this proposition 1 I will give you be said a list of ten firms in yokohama and I 1 will ask you to look through it to tell me without mentioning any name theror not the name of the firm which has failed appears la it surely you will do that for roe res said the banker for it I 1 do sot any name I 1 cannot be held responsible in any way the list wag made the banker looked through it and as he handed it back to the merchant said the name of the firm which has failed Is there then ive lost heavily replied the merchant for that Is tb farm with which I 1 did business him a name on the ilal but how do you know that Is the farm which has failed asked the banker in surprise very easily replied the merchant of the ten names on the list only one is genuine that of the farm with which I 1 did bustnes busl nes fall the others arc fictitious