The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-05-05

B. Towne, a member Of the New
Hampshire Legislature, was in New
York %transacting some business with
the banking establishment of Nj. A.
I. Post. lie lost no time in retarn-
ing 10 Milford. Detectives there and
from Boston we're employed in the
search for the robbers and the seeuri-
ties. Descriptions Of the latter were
sent al over the county. President
Towne, after the lapse of many days.
determined to manage the east him.
self Advertisements Offering re-
wards for the restoration Of the secu-
rites were published in leading East
ern newspapers, and at length anon.
ymous notes reached him. The
writers desired to know how much
be would pay. His invariable an.
swer was "a reasonable amount"
DEALINGS IN THE DARK.
A letter was received from a small
town not far from Boston. Mr..
Towne was informed that the bonds
should be returned if p liberal sum
was paid for them. The sender OF
the letter requested an interview with
him, and asked whether be should
call on him or whether he would
visit the writer. Mr.. Towne resolv-
ed to visit the man, and did so. The
bank President was coolly received
by the stranger, who met him IN a
hotel. and then led him to a large
building far away. The stranger
eyed Mr.. Towne suspiciously as be
led him through a long hallway into
a commodious room, and the banker
felt i'll at ease in his presence.
The stranger talked business at
once. Mr.. Towne told him that the
negotiation of the securities bad been
interfercd with by publication, but
that the bank was willing to pay a
sum not extravagant for the bonds,
&c. The stranger named a sum, and
said that be would give Mr.. Towne
time to think owe it. The banker
asked for a description Of the s%ecuri-
ties. but the stranger could not or
would not give it. He promised,
however. to show Mr.. Towne later g
memorandum of the stolen property,
and Mr.. Towne was shown from the
place to the hotel. When subsequent
iy the memorandum was presented
to Mr.. Towne, he failed to recognize
all the securities as those taken from
the bank, but thought that be might
be mistaken. Before going from the
building in which the conference was
had the stranger abused Mr.. Towne,
and accused him Of not acting in
good faith. The banker was afraid
to say much then, but ia the hotel be
satisfied the stranger, whom Mr..
Towne afterwards discovered was a
detective. that no one was ware of
his (Mr. Towne's) object in visiting
the town. Then the President went
back to Milford and talked with the
Directors Of the bank.
Further correspondence followed
between Mr.. Towne and the detec-
tive, and at length the former con-
sented to pay the sum demanded He
drew the money in bank notes of
large denominations, and them into
an inside pocket of his vest, started
to see the detective.
BANK PRESIDENTS NERVE.
He was again led through the long
hallway, and into the big room. The
door was fastened by the detective.
Mr.. Towne was thoroughly frigb-
tened.
Are you prepared to negotiate p
gruiny asked the detective.
IL think | am" was the answer
given with much ueliUri alton.
81 think you are" sneered the de-
t%ective. "Are yeu fixed"
The bank President hesitated, but
answered in the affirmative.
"Well, produce, was the command
Of the detective.
Mr.. Towne slowly drew a roll of
bank notes from his pocket, and plac-
cd them on the table. He closely
watched the detective and the money.
The detective went to a door opening
into another room and knocked. The
door was slightly opened, and a hand
grasping a bundle wrapped in silk
paper Of foreign manufacture APP
peared. The detective took the pack
age and put it on the table.
Now, sir" saiG he to Mr.. Towne,
"have you got any more money 2"
"Yes, sir" was the reply, and Mr..
ToNne took another rol! of bank
notes from his pocket.
The detective again tapped on the
door, and another package was hand
ed in. Then, more money having
been obtained from Mr.. Towne, a
third and last package was given
him. He quickly examined the secu-
titles. They were the ones wanted.
Some were missing, likewise galua-
bic papers we're not there. Mr..
Towhe lied the three packages to-
gether and was re6dy to 60. He
trembled as he approached tue 3oor,
and asked the detective to show him
out. 1t was then about 8 O'Clock at
night, aud thelong hallway was very
dark.
a DETECTIVES COMPANIONS.
Near the street door stood ten or
moxe ruffians, and Mr.. Towue stag
gered back. He put the bundle close
20 his breast, and buttoned his coat
oyer it. TAep be requested the pro-
lection of the detective, and they
walked ont without molestatioa. He
hurried down the street to the express
Office, the detective following. The
bank President delivered his package
10 the receiving clerk, and the latter
seeing the detective at the door, ask
ed MIR. Togney
"Why is that man watching you 2"
"WhO is he p gasped Mr.. Towne.
"a detective" was the answer.
What kind of q man is be?" was
tie next question.
The clerk iptinated that the de-
t%ective was not altogether square"
The package was sealed and re-
eeipted for, and Mr.. Towne reached
the hotel ia safety. The next day he
was in Milford. The valuable pa
pers and some Of the securities are