The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-10-07
9 lbanp y Bs'e9i1trr.
The Little copper Box.


One morning, while seated III the
office reading tie Bankers Gu
=ette, man entered. Now several
men had given It's call that partic-
ular morning, but this one was
strange person, who | knew at once
had entered the bank for the first
time. lie was of medium hight and
we'll proportioned his eyes were
large and lustrous but his lips were
beautifully chiSeled, and twitched
l.ervouslv. y red scar, extending
from his left ear to his mouth, gave
him repulsive look.
After glancins round the room he
approached the desk. | laid aside
the paper and arose.
s.'rhis is the Leroy Fank ?'' he
said, interrogatively.
''les, sir.'
''Do You take things on deposit
here - He emphasized the noun
strangely.
1--WE take money!" I answered.
"But things?" he said
s'Seldom, sir.''
s''rhen You have taken them p
Yell, yes" answered, hesitat-
ingly, not liking my visitors look.
eve have kept valuables such as
| jewels, wills, etc., i'll our vaults till
called for. l;ut it is not IN our line
of regular business
'sJust So" he replied. 81 have
! something, box, wish to leave
| with the bank YOU can put it in
the vault and label it, Left till call
! ell for"
bowed, and upon requesting to
see the articles he wished to deposit
! the man smiled, ard putting his
/, hand i'll his bosom he drew it forth
1t was little copper box about
three inches square. 1t was highly
polished, and nearly covered with
tiny, brass-headed nails. | took il
in my hands and examined it will
intense curiosity. No hinge or key
hole was visible, not even a seam
that would have Indicated lid.
"Well, said l, finishing my >cr,l
tiny and setting the box on the desk
"Well, this is what You desire te
leave in our care ?"
eyes, sir. 1t is not bulky, and
will not occupy much room," ht
answered, smiling family.
sit is a curious box said |
"perhaps it contains an internal ma
chine"
ssFar from it, sir.'' He was be
coming inpatient. "Will YOU keel
it ?''
/ 81 suppose so. When will yo,
call for it 90
'"Oh do not Know" he an
sweed. 81 am going on journey
and know not when [ will return
'sPerhaps never" 1 said, eyeins
him the while.
"True, sir teller-for such aposi
ton think you occupy here.''
| bowed affirmatively and said
"In the event of your death"
ssThe box will be called for" h
finished.
s.:But how will I know the per
son calling for it should have it ?
'sOh, easily; write me receipt
and the person presenting it viii ge
the box"
i I drew blank sheet from tn
desk, and taking a pen wrote tn
following receipt:
ssReceived this day Of,
snaM copper box, to be left III TIN
safe until called for.''
JOHN HOWARD,
Teller, Leroy Bank.
With flourish made q small
mark on the receipt, so could lden
tify it when presented.
ssNow, then, sign your name il
that blank there
j He seized the pen, and in bol(
chirography wrote q name--Lione
i Nascini.
can Italian ?''
i fsAy. And new," he continued
twirling his grizzled mustache, !"
will 90. Take care of the little box
though it may not be called for il
twenty years, ana picking up Tilt
receipt he bowed and left.
For q minute after the soaans
of his footsteps on the payemen
had ceased to reach my ears, fount
myself gazing at the singular box
which I was turning over and owe
i'm my hands. Where was the lid
!. Myseuriosity was raised to its high
est pitch, and tried TO pry into th'
: little stranger confided TO my eara
With my knife / hammered th,
eight corners. but no lid flew open
shtiien I struck many of the small