The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-07-21


an entrance, ii is necessary to turn the
handle around exactly seven times"
After the seventh time, Mr.. Brain
tree gave strong pull and the heavy
door slowly turned on its hinges. The
reverend gentleman glanced inside
with excusable curiosity. .
every curious very curious indeed"
he murmured. GLOW wonderful Is the
ingenuity of mani"
AT that moment Mr.. Braintree called
the clergyman to see something else in
the stone vault and they both moved
away to the extreme end of the apart
ment.
On glancing into the safe l noticed
that two ledgers were out of their places.
| entered the safe TO place them in their
respective cases, when either the cler-
gyman or Mr.. Baintree brushing past
the safe, unconsciously knocked against
the door, as he did so. which gave it an
impetus that closed it on me, the bolts
shot noiselessly into their sockets and
was prisoner.
There was an acoustic phenomenon
connected with this safe which / never
heard explained, and that was, any one
shut inside could hear every word that
was uttered in the vault, while no noise
that he might make could reach those
outside. ] was aware Of this peculiari-
ty and knew that it was utterly useless
for me to call out.
The only hope had was, that when
Mr.. Braintree missed me he would
surmise where / was. But in few
moments this illusion was dispelled.
"Why, where can Mr.. Archer be ?" /
heard Mr.. Braintree observe. "Oh b.! /
remember now, he had an engagement
after banking hours, and I suppose he
has gone to keep it, but / think he
might have left the lantern with me.
But we can find our way out easy
enough"
| heard them leave the vault, the iron
bar put in its place, and the key turned
in the paddock.
/ realized the fact that there was nc
|
that l had to remain until Monday
morning.
1t was no pleasant thing to cOntem
plate remaining shut up there for forty.
two hours without food or water but
there was no help for it, for knew that
all the screaming in the world would
only be so much breath wasted;
therefore determined to take matters as
philosophically as l could, and not
indulge in useless repinings.
Fortunately had in my pocket {
volume of Shakespeare, and the darl
lantern was also in my possession.
made Il seat for myself on some ledger
and turning down the lamp TO poin
> at which l could read conveniently,
, began to enjoy myself as the circum
stances of the case would permit.
l rea for five or six hours, an d 1 ca
safely affirm that l never enjoye
Shakespeare as well before. The absc
Lutte quiet prevailing, and the fact o
being shut Off from all exterior influ
ences seemed to make me appreciat
the hidden beauties of the great poe
much more clearly than I ever did j
my life.
,, / read till I grew sleepy. l the
u made bed for myself of the accoun
books, turned the lantern down to til
' faintcst glmmer, for the sake of savin
: Oil, and closing mycycs was soon fa
asleep.
y Whcu uwcke and looked at m
s. watch | found it was ten o'clock O
$ Sunday morning. / had therefore sleI
!, about twelve hours.
!, felt very hungry, but knew that
had twenty-four hours more to pa
y there before i could get anythingto to ca
. SO l determined TO try and sleep ;
< much Of my time as possible, remen
: bering the French proverb, "QM do
- dine"
1 read a great deal of Shakespea
. during the day, and about eight o'clot
y in the evening | again composed m.
!, self to sleep.
a ! was suddenly awakened by Il
u sound of voices in the stone vault, ar
d naturally supposing that it was t,
% O'Clock on Monday morning, and tn
y some of the clerks were coming to op,
the safe, l glanced at my watch al
70 found to my extreme surprise that
q was exactly twelve o'clock at night.
n BY some intuition the truth stru
l. me in moment. 1t was some o
y come to rob the bank, and the reverel
visitor OF the day before was spy.
{, The first words l heard confirmed
~ truth of this conclusion, for heard t
* Rev. Mr.. Elliot's voice cxclaim to
~ confederate
"Well, here we are in this fame
TX stone vault--do you know Jim, we {
1e in much easier than expected"
'r. "Thanks to your visit on Saturd
X afternoon, Bobby, as one of the bla
ce coated gentry"
'r' The robbers then were the fam
Of "Whitc Haired Bobby" and "Slippe
. jim"
nix "Yes," returned Bobby, "I thinl
os- gammoned the two buffers pretty W
3D. You see, Jim, what it is to be mai
1T, education. l should just like to
m you in the part Of the Rev. Mr.. Ell
ty, and see what figure you'd cut in /
et, "That amt in my line, no how
nd 1 tell you what, Bobby, you can't
ess me at picking lock-"
"You are pretty good at that, an(
the mistake. But come, let US get at
the swag.'
APP "You are sure you havn't forgot
the how TO open the safe, Bobby"
em- "No indeed the fool told me this
less was by turning the handle round Sc
dth times. OF all the blessed babies / {
saw, never saw any one to come u
d !" this man, Braintree.
rob- saw that it was now time for m
his, act. Fortunately had my pistol '
me. / drew ii from my pocket, COZ