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

"'o w" y anu PaitIcutal llleuuS
whom assisted by the aid of dress.
He had carried out his plan for
about two years without anything oc-
curing to prove it necessity or useful
ness, when one hot July morning he
entered the bank about an hour earl
ier than was usual with him.
"Good morning, Mr.. Archer, "said
he to me. as he took off his fine black
coat, and put on an easy fitting
blouse.
eyes -Ihave something particular
to tell you, and l thought it better
to lose no time. You might know in
the first place, that l visited the
Three Swans last night"
The "Thrce Swans was one of the
lowest taverns in tho place, and the
rendezvous for all the desperate char
acters in the town and neigh borhood
There was scarcely night passed
that some one was not killed there.
You visited in disguise, I sup.
pose c?'' remarked.
"Certainly. I was disguised as a
drover, and had the extreme pleasure
of being taken for horse thief by all
the scoundrels present."
That is at least q compliment to
your success in Disgusting yourself, "
1 returned.
"Yes-that's true. Ilearned som e.
thing at the Three Swans last night,
Mr.. Archer, which nearly concerns
vs."
"1ndeed," returned pricking up
my ears.
You have heard of White Haired
Bobby p said Mr.. Braintee.
"Do you mean the great bank rob.
bers 2" I asked.
"Yes, he himself. He has robbed
more banks than any ten men in the
United States. He has never failed
in one instance. His success in break
ing into safes and vaults has seme-
thing marvellous in it. He works
generally in company with friend Of
his who goes by the nom de guerre Of
"6lippery jim"
Il have heard of tn at rascal, too. "
I returned.
'Well, now for my information,
l learned last nil ebt that White Hair
ed Bobby and Slippery Jim are about
to visit Milwaukee for tho express
purpose of dcpriving the Citizens
Bark of its specie and valuables.''
''The deuce they do, !" was all I
could say.
"Mr. Archer, I do not int end that
this worthy pair shall accomplish their
purpose, SO want you to keep an
extra lookout. I shall visit the
Three Swans nightly for some weeks,
to find out, if possible, the moment
they arrive"
Six weeks passed away and We
heard no more of "White Haired
Bobby" or "Slippery Jim.'' Mr..
Braintee continued to visit the
'Tbree Swans" nightly but heard
nothing further. We came to the
conclusion that the two famous bank
robbers bad changed their minds and
bad gone to exercise their entcrpris-
ing profession in . different field.
We had forgotten al about the
matter, when one Saturday; in the
middle of the month of September,
while We were busily engaged in our
various du ties, . clerical individual
entered and asked to see the Presi-
dent. The request was addressed to
me. and had an opportunity for OBJ
serving his external appearance.
He appeared to be about forty five
years ofage, Recommending presence.
His face was fresh, fair, and exceed
ingly good looking. His hands
we're very white. and he wore a dia-
mopd ring on the little finger of the
right hand He Vas dressed in q
suit of black which fitted him per-
fectly. and must have been made by
. Arst.class tailor. It was this
black suit. together With the whitest
and stiffest of crsvats. and short
sighted eye-glass which dsngled from
his neck. and which he every now
and then raised to his eyes, that
gave him the intense clerical ap-
pearance to which have referred
above.
"Do you wish to see Mr.. Brain
tree on business?" I asked.
''Not exactly on business" re-
turned the stranger, "bqt if he is
disengaged, I should like to speak
to him.