The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-11-22
How He got the Bank Key.

4 few days ago, about dusk, says
the Chicago Tribune, q stranger call
ed st the residence Of a bank cashier
in st. Louis, and introducing himself,
said he desired some private CONVEX
satIon on business of importance. The
cashier thereupon led him to a private
room. gave orders that they were not
10 be disturbed. seated himself, folded
his arms and desired his mysterious
acquaintance to communicate the OBJ
iect Of his visit. The man coughed
once or twice. then said:
Being cashier OF this here inan-
cial institution, of course you keep the
KEY of the safe ?"
The cashier said be did.
And you know about the bank
robbers that go round and tie aud gag
cashiers and their families. and, with
pistols, at their heads, compel them to
give up the keys"
The cashier said be had.
And you've heard about the Da-
venport brothers and the S%piritualists
and things?"
The cashier said be had.
Vow" said the stranger. I've
been studying up the whole business,
aud have found out how to overcome
them"
you don't say so?"
"Yes, sir. For five dollars | will
impart to you q secret which may at
some future time ave your lite and
the funds entrusted &c your care. |
will show you how to unite any series
of knots, however complicated ; TO re.
move a gag from your mouth, and, in
fact to set Yourself free. can release
myself in 2:l4i, and with a weeks
practice I'll bet you can show better
than three minutes. You ear see the
advantage of my system! There is
no need to resist aud get shot ali
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 q remarka-
bic invention.
you bet il is" said the inventor,
and as | never take any MONEY for
ill my customers are satisfied OF
my honesty in dealing with them, III
tell YOU what I'll do. Just let me gag
and bind you, and then I'll give you
some simple directions what TO do,
and if you don't unloose yourself 10
Ave minutes and express entire salts.
faction with the process, Iii give you
$40. II you ind that | am a man oi
my word, you'll pay me So"
The cashier said that nothing could
be fairer.
another thing" continued the Wis.
itor; I'm apoor man, and this secret
is my only stock in trade, Sc III ask
you not to teach any one else how &c
do it," So saying be took a roll o.
cord and a gag from his pocket, and
with great dexterity, tied The cashier
hand and foot, and gagged him &c
that be could not wink
Now you are tied pretty firmly
amt you? You wouldn't think you
could ever get loose, would you?"
The cashier looked the replies be
could not speak.
II don't think you could myself
said the inventor, 'and now Jet me
tell you nay name is Jesse II. James,
the notorious train robber, and if you
don't fork over that KEY in three sec.
onds III cut yoqr throat from ear to
ear. | beg your pardon you cant,
but I'll take it myself. It's no trouble
and turning the cashier over Oh bis
back ike a turtle, he took the key.
Il won't take your poeket-book," be
said, for the ten dollars is yours, as
don't think you will get loose in five
minutes, or FIVE hours either. SO
long, sonny" and, with a courteous
bow be quilted the apartment. and
proceeded to the bank, which he riled
as completely and leisurely as if he
had been one Of the directors. The
sad event has cast a gloom over the
community.