The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1871-11-10

wasted; l therefore determined to
take matters as philosophically as l
could, and not indulge in useless re-
pining.
Fortunately I had in my pocket
volume of Shakespeare, and the dark
lantern was also in my possession. l
made seat for myself of some ledg.
ers, and turning down the lamp to a
point at which could read conven-
iently, l began to enjoy myself as
we'll as the circumstances of the case
would permit.
read Tor FIVE or six hours, and l
can safely affirm that never enjoyed
Shakespeare as we'll before. The ab-
solute quiet prevailing and the fact
of being shut of from all exterior in.
luences seemed TO make me appreoi-
ate the hidden beauties of the great
poet more than I ever did in my life.
1 read till l grew sleepy. I then
made bed for myself Of the account
books, turned the lamp down to the
faintest glimmer, for the sake Of saw
ing oil, and closing my eyes, I was
soon fast asleep.
When I awoke and looked at my
watch 1 found it was ten o'clock on
Sunday morning. I had therefore
slept about twelve hours.
I felt very hungry, but 1 knew that
had twenty-four hours more to pass
there before I could get nything to
eat, SO I determined to try and sleep
as much Of my time as possible, re-
membering the French proverb,
"QUIE DoRr NINE"
Tread a great deal Of Shakespeare
during the day, and about eight
o'clock in the evening, I again COM
posed myself to sleep.
I was suddenly awakened by the
sound of voices in the stone vault,
and naturally supposing that it was
ten O'Clock on Monday morning, and
that some Of the clerks were come to
open the safe, I glanced at my watch
and found to my extreme surprise
that it was exactly twelve o'clock 1t
night.
BY some tuition the truth struck
me. in a moment. 1t was some one
come to rob the bank, and the rever-
ened visitor Of the day before was
spy.
The first words I heard confirmed
the truth Of this conclusion, for I
heard the Rev. Mr.. Elliot's voice
exclaim to his confederate:
"Well, here we are in this famous
stone vault--do you know Jim, wc
got in much easier than I expected"
''Thanks to your visit on Satur-
day afternoon, Bobby, as one of the
black.coated gentry"
The robbers, then, were the famous
"White Haired Bobby" and Slippery
JIM"
"Yes,' returned Bobby, I think I
gammoned the two buffers pretty we'll.
You see, Jim what it is to be man
of education. l should just like to
see you in the part Of the Rev. Mr..
Elliot, and see what a 6gure.you' d
cut in it,
"That amt in my line, now how
but tell you what, Bobby, you can't
beat me at picking lock-"
"You are pretty good at that and
no mistake. But come, let's get at
the swag.''
"You are sure you haven't t forgot
ten how to open the safe, Bobby 2"
"No, indeed; tie fool told me that
it was BY turning the handle around
seven times. Of all the blessed ba-
bies that I ever saw, l never saw any
to come up to this man Braintree."
Isaw that it was now time for me
to act. Fortunately l had my pistol
with me. l drew it from my pocket,
cooked it, and turned up the lantern
to its full. I waited for the door of
tho safe to be opened, realizing fully
that my only chance of overpowering
the two rufians was to take them by
surprise; for if allowed them to re-
cover themselves from the sudden
effects Of my appearance, they being
two to one, would soon overpower me.
had not long to wait. l heard
the handle turn seven successive
times, and then Bobby gave a strong
pull at the heavy door of the safe.
It yielded, but in . moment 1
stepped out, with the dark lantern
turned full on the robbers. and with
my arm stretched out holding the
cooked pistol in my hand.
The effect of my appearance on
Rohhv and Tim wns ahsolutelv tar-