Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-11-09
1T MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
But in All Probability it Wasn't
to any Extent.

/ -
Chicago Tribune.l
A few days ago, about dusk,
stranger called at the residence of
bank cashier in st. Louis, and, intro
ducing himself, said he desired some
private conversation on business O
importance. The cashier thereupor
led him to private room, gave or
ders that they were not to be dis
turbed, seated himself, folded his
ears, and desired his mysterious &C
quaintsnce to communicate the oh
ject of his visit. The man coughed
once or twice, then said:
"Being the cashier of this financial
institution, of course you keep the
key of the safe?"
The cashier said he did.
"And you know about the bank
robbers that go round and tie and
gag cashiers and their families, and
with pistols at their heads compel
them to give up the keys?'
The cashier said he did.
"And you have heard about the
Davenport brothers and the spiritual
lists and things?'
The cashier said he had.
''Now," said the stranger, ave
been studying up the whole business,
and l have found out how to over
come them"
"You don't say SOL"
"Yes, sir. For five dollars l will
impart to you a secret which may at
some future time save your life and
the funds entrusted to your care. I
will show you how to unite any series
of knots, however complicated, to re-
move gag from your mouth, and, in
fact, to set yourself free. l can re-
lease myself in 2:l4t, and with a
weeks practice I'll bet that you can
show better than three minutes. You
see the advantage of my system?
There isho need to resist and get
shot, all ypu have to do is to let them
tie you q J, and as soon as they've
taken thekey and gone, why you just
let yourself loose and give the
alarm"
The cashier said it was remark
able invention.
"You bet it is" said the inventor,
'and as never take any money for
t till my customers are satisfied of
ny honesty in dealing with them,
I'll tell you what I'll do. Just let
ne gag and bind you, and then I'll
give you simple directions what to do,
Ind if you don't unloose yourself in
i've minutes and express your entire
satisfaction with the process, I'll give
,ou $40. If you find that 1 am
nan of my word you'll pay me S."
The CASHIER said that nothing could
,e fairer.
"Another thing" continued the
'isitor; I'M n paor-eman. and this
ecret is my only stock-in trade, so
I'll ask you not to teach anyone else
low to do it, for that would spoil my
'usiness."
The cashier consented to the ar
angement.
"Take this $40 BILL" said the 9th
r. "If I fail, you keep it; if you
re satisfied you will return it to me
18th another S.. And now this is
ow we do it." So saying he took
oll of cord and gag from his pock-
is, and with great dexterity tied that
asher hand and foot, and gagged
i'm so that he couldn't wink.
''Now you are tied pretty firmly,
int you? You wouldn't think you
ould get loose. would your
The cashier looked the replies he
,uld not speak.
81 don't think you could, myself"
lid the inventor; "and now let me
III you my name is Jesse H. James,
lie notorious train robber, and if you
'n't fork over that key in three sec
Ids I'll cut your throat from ear to
Ir. | beg your pardon you can't,
1T I'll take it myself It's no
ouble," and, turning that cashier r
'er on his back like turtle, he took
e key. II won't take your pocket '
'ok," he said, "for the $40 is yours,
l don't think you will be able to
It loose in five minutes, or five
'urs either. So long, sonny" and
th a courteous bow he quilted the :
'artment and proceeded to the bank,
lich he rifed as completely and
surely as if he had been one of the
rectors. The sad event has cast a
pom over the community.