If Mary, or Kate, or little Harry looked dull, he was seized with instant alarm.

A slight fever almost set him wild.

Scarcely a week passed that the doctor was not summoned on some pretense or other, and medicine forced down the throats of the little ones.
This was the aspect of affairs, when, in a time of great fiscal derangement, the bank in which Mr.Bancroft was clerk suffered a severe run, which was continued so long that the institution was forced to close its doors.

A commission was appointed to examine into its affairs.

This examination brought to light many irregularities in the management of the bank, and resulted in a statement which made it clear that a total suspension and winding-up of the concern must ensue.
By this disaster, Mr.Bancroft was thrown out of employment.
Fortunately, the clerk in his old situation in the insurance company gave up his place very shortly afterward, and Bancroft on application, was appointed in his stead.