It came in my thoughts one morning that I would go to the bank myself,
where I had often been to receive the interest of some bills I had,
which had interest payable on them, and where I had found a clerk, to
whom I applied myself, very honest and just to me, and particularly so
fair one time that when I had mistold my money, and taken less than my
due, and was coming away, he set me to rights and gave me the rest,
which he might have put into his own pocket.
I went to him and represented my case very plainly, and asked if he
would trouble himself to be my adviser, who was a poor friendless
widow, and knew not what to do. He told me, if I desired his opinion
of anything within the reach of his business, he would do his endeavour
that I should not be wronged, but that he would also help me to a good
sober person who was a grave man of his acquaintance, who was a clerk
in such business too, though not in their house, whose judgment was
good, and whose honesty I might depend upon. 'For,' added he, 'I will
answer for him, and for every step he takes; if he wrongs you, madam,
of one farthing, it shall lie at my door, I will make it good; and he
delights to assist people in such cases--he does it as an act of
charity.' I was a little at a stand in this discourse; but after some pause I
told him I had rather have depended upon him, because I had found him
honest, but if that could not be, I would take his recommendation
sooner than any one's else. 'I dare say, madam,' says he, 'that you
will be as well satisfied with my friend as with me, and he is
thoroughly able to assist you, which I am not.' It seems he had his
hands full of the business of the bank, and had engaged to meddle with
no other business that that of his office, which I heard afterwards,
but did not understand then. He added, that his friend should take
nothing of me for his advice or assistance, and this indeed encouraged
me very much.
He appointed the same evening, after the bank was shut and business
over, for me to meet him and his friend. And indeed as soon as I saw
his friend, and he began but to talk of the affair, I was fully
satisfied that I had a very honest man to deal with; his countenance
spoke it, and his character, as I heard afterwards, was everywhere so
good, that I had no room for any more doubts upon me.