The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-03

Swans" last night"
The Three Swans" was ono Of the
lowest taverns in the place, and the rem,
devious for all the desperate characters
in the town aud neighborhood. There
was scarcely night passed that some
one was not killed there
" You visited in disguise, | suppose?"
| remarked.
Certainly. ] was disguised as a
droyer, and had the extreme pleasure
Of being taken for horse thief by all
the scouudrels present"
That is at least compliment to
your success in Disgusting yourself, |
returned.
" Yes-that's true. learnt some.
thing at the Three Swans last night,
Mr.. Archer, which nearly concerns us. -
indeed" returned, pricking up
my ears.
" You have heard of "White Haired
Bobby P" said Mr.. Braintree.
Do you mean the great bank rob.
ber?' l asked.
" Yes, he himself. He has robbed
more banks than any ten men in the
United States together. Ilo has never
failed in once instance. His success in
breaking into safes and vaults has some.
thing marvellous in it. lie works gen.
orally in company with friend of his
who goes by the nom de guerre of Slip.
perry Jim"
:" / have heard of tha. rascal, too"
returned.
well, now for my information. l
learned last night that White Haired
Bobby and Slippery Jim are about to
visit Milwaukee for the express purpose
Of deprivipg the Citizens Bank Of its
specie aud valuables."
The deuce they do" was all
could say.
Mr.. Archer, | do not intend that
this worthy pair shall accomplish their
purpose, SO | want you to keep an extra
lookout. | shall visit the Three Swans
nightly for some weeks, to fnd out, if
possible, the moment they arrive"
Six weeks passed away aud We heard
no more Of "White Haired Bobby" or
SLIPPERY jim" Mr.. Braiutree con.
tinued to visit the "Three Swans" night.
ly, but heard nothing further. We
came to the conclusion that the two
famous bank robbers had changed their
minds aud had gone to exercise their
enterprisiDg profession in different
field.
We had forgotten all about the mat.
ter, 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 president, The request
was addressed to me, and | had an ex.
cellent opportunity for observing his
external appearance.
He appeared to be about forty.fve
years of age, of commanding presence.
His face was fresh, fair, and exceeding.
ly healthy looking. His hands were
very white, and he wore a fine diamond
ring on the little finger of the right
hand. lie was dressed in a suit Of
black, which fitted him perfectly, and
must have been made by first class
tailor. 1t was this black suit together
with the whitest and stiffest of cravats,
and short-sighted ye.glass which
danglcd from his neck, and which he
every now and thcp raised to his eyes,
that gave him the Intense clerical ap.
pearancc to which l have referred above.
"Do you wish to see Mr.. Braintrce
on business?" | asked.
"Not exactly on business" returned
the stranger, "but if he is disengaged,
| should like to speak to him."
Here is Mr.. Braintreo now" re.
piled, as he president steppedout of his
private room into the bank"
Mr.. Braintree," said the stranger,
courteously removing his hat aud speak.
ing in the most polite tone, "allow me
to introduce myself My name is Elliot,
the Reverend Robert Elliot. am an
Episcopal clergyman, lately appointed
pastor to church in St. Paul's. am
now on my way there, but cannot leave
until Monday. At my hotel to-day |
heard the landlord speak of the extra.
ordinary safety vault you have attached
to this bank. As | have pcnchant
for seeing such structures, have thought
perhaps you would allow me to see yours,
of which L have heard so much"
Certainly, sir, with pleasure" re.
piled Mr.. Braintree, who by the way
was particularly partial to clergymeu,
doubtless because they formed such
striking contrast to the inhabitants of
frontier cities. "Mr. Archer" added
my chief, "will you be good enough to
light the dark lantern aud accompany
us ?"
1t wanted about twenty minutes to
our usual hour Of closing the bank, aud
| had just finished my work. Had such
not been the case, | should in all pro-
liability have sent one of the clerks in
my place.
There was nothing, however, to pre-.
vent ne from doing as the president
requested; | therefore lighted dark
lantern, aud we all three descended the
steps leading to the vault.
The specie and valuables of the bank
were kept in au immense iron safe which
was placed in stone chamber. The
walls of this chamber were Of cxtraor.
binary thickness and the entrance to it
was through a massive iron door, which
was secured by thick bar Of iron fast.
cned by an immense paddock.
BY this means the specie of the bank
was doubly protected, Tor even suppos.
Ing that robber should succeed in OBJ.