Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1876-11-02
TT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
Butin Ala Probability it Wasn't to any
Extent.

A few days ago, about dusk, a stranger
called at the residence of bank cashier
in St Louis, and introducing himself, said
he desired some private conversation on
business of importance. The cashier
thereupon led him to private room, gave
orders that they were not to be disturbed,
seated himself, folded his arms, and de-
sired his mysterious acquaintance to COM
municate the object of his visit. The
man cOughed once or twice, then said:
Being the cashier of this financial IN
stitution, of course You keep the key of
the safe p
The cashier said he did
sAnd you know about the bank robbers
that go around 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 Daven-
port brothers and the spiritualists and
things?'
The cashier said he had.
Now said the stranger, I've been
studying up the whole business, and l
found out how to overcome them.
You don't say sO.'
Yes, sir. For five dollars l will impart
to you secret which may at some future
time save your life and the funds entrust-
ed to your care. / will show you how to
unite any series of knots, however COM
plicated; to remove gag from your mouth
and, in fact to set yourself free. [ can
release myself in ? :14115 and with a weeks
practice I'll bet that YOU can show better
than three minutes. You see the adYan-
tage of my system? There is no need to
| resist and get shot, all you have to do is
to let them tie you up, and as soon as they
have taken the key and gone, why you
just let yourself loose and give the
| alarm.
The cashier said it was remarkable in
vention.
You bet it is said the inventor, Fand
as l never take any money for it till my
customers are satisfied of my honesty in
dealing with them, I'll tell you what I'll
do. just let me gag and bind you, and
then I'll give you simple directions what
to do, and if you don't unlOose yourself
in five minutes and express your entire
satisfaction with the process, I'll give you
$40. If you find that am man of my
| word you'll pay me five dollars
The cashier said that nothing could be
| fairer.
another thing, continued the visitor;
| 'I'm poor man, and this secret is my
only stock-in-trade, so I'll ask you not to
teach anyone else how to do it, for that
would spoil my business.
| The cashier consented to the arrange
ment.
'Take this $40 bill, said the other. If
L fail you keep it; if You are satisfied you
will return it to me with another So. And
now this is how we do it, So saying, he
took roll of cord and gag from his
pockets, and with great dexterity tied
that cashier hand and foot, and gagged him
so that he couldn't wink.
Now you are tied pretty firmly, amt
you? You wouldn't think you could get
loose, would yOu?,'
The cashier looked the replies he could
not speak.
Il don't think you could, myself said
the inventor; 'and now let me tell you my
name is Jesse Fl. James, the notorious
train robber, and if you DON'T fork over
that key i'll three seconds I'll cut your
throat from ear to ear. | beg your par
don; you can't, but III take it myself.
| It's no trouble and, turning that cash
ier over on his back like Il turtle, he took
the key. Il won't take your pocketbook,'
he said, Ffor the SO is yours, as don't
y0Cr M be able TO get loose IN live
minutes, or five hours either. So long,
sonny and with a courteous bow he
quilted the apartment and proceeding to
the bank, which he rified as complely and
leisurely as if he had been one of the di-
rectors. The sad event has cast a gloom
over the community.-C Chicago Tribune.
Why ,TIlden, if Elected, Will Not be