The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-20

intimate. They hired teams and took
daily rides into the country to view the
different farms for sale thereabouts.-
This course they continued for one week.
They were hard to please, IL appeared,
and at the end of the week were as far
from purchasing as at first. Farmers
sought them and offered them the best
of terms, but Billy, who was the spokes-
man, always found an answer by which
to hold the farmer aloof and yet keep
him in expectancy. In the meantime
they made the acquaintance of the
cashier of the Deposit Bank. They
called, together, the day after their ar
rival at P, and gave the cashier
of the Bank apackage, said to contain
several thousand dollars, and requested
him to put it in the safe until called for.
1t was sealed package and the cashier
never knew but what il contained the
amount as represented by them. They
further told him that they were looking
for farm and if they could be suited,
they intended to purchase. These con-
versations were continued from day to
day until the worthy cashier was COM
pletely lulled into security. Their de-
meanor was perfectly right and proper.
The citizens with whom they came in
contact were agreeably impressed. AS
usual in small towns the people went
out Of their way to do obeisance to the
strangers. Billy and Sam actually re-
ceived favors which would not have been
accorded to the old citizens of P.
Their money had great influence. The
bar-rooms and stores were made to echo
with the stories of their wealth. Thus
it has always been in small towns
Thus it ever will be. Sycophancy to
strangers is the rule, while both eyes are
kept open to watch the home citizens.
On the Saturday of the week of their
arrival, at the hour of p. M, knock
was heard at the door of the Bank. The
cashier happened to be away from
home. He had his residence in the
Bank building, and, although it was
after banking hours, the cashier was
likely to be in at that hour. When the
knock was heard it was answered by the
watchman who told the gentlemen that
"Wm. O. had just stepped out, but
would be in in q short time.'
They responded that " they would call
again in half an hour" At the end Of
a half hour they were back. This time
VIM. o met them in his usual po-
lite manner, inviting them into his set
ting room. This they politely declined,
stating that they would be glad to see
him on business. Billy stated that his
friend was unexpectedly called to New
York, and as he was short of funds it
would be necessary to get a check cashed
He remarked that he was sorry to trouble
the cashier at so unreasonable an hour,
but the call was so unexpected that they
were compelled to ask the favor.
VIM. O. replied that " it was
past banking hours, and the vault was
locked, but if small amount, say one
hundred dollars, would be of any use to
them he could raise that amount"
They Jointly replied that it would do,
and VIM. o invited them into the
banking room. The three then walked
into the room.
AS soon as Sam, who was the last in,
had closed the door Billy very suddenly,
threw himself upon the unsuspecting
cashier, and, before he could utter a
singlecry, had him gagged.
Sam, in the meantime, locked the door
and then hastened to the assistance of
his g Pard.''
VIM. o. by this time realized the
situation, and, although unable to cry
out, yet struggled most violently. Billy
would not hurt him nor allow his pard
to hurt him, although Sam had drawn
his revolver. In those powerful hands
VIM. O. was like child however,
and soon was fixed in way commonly
or technically known as "bucked and
gagged" BY the aid of tools, which
bore the marks Of the blacksmith, they
soon effected an entrance into the vault.
Extracting therefrom some thirty
thousand dollars in two packages, and
leaving their own deposit where VIM.
O. had placed it, they prepared to
depart.
In the meantime the night watchman,
who proved to be the most sagacious
man in the town, began to meditate.-
AS he meditated he began to think
things looked curious to say the least.
Why those men should come there at
that hour? was question with him.