The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-11-27
A CLEVER CATCH.
Or How Our Bank Was Robbed.
M T. 3. q.

:
BYT.s.G.
One bright morning, a few years ago GREAT
excitement prevailed in the London Office Of
the City and Provincial Bank H4imited). Yet
tie bank had just declared fat dividend Of
fifteen per cent for the half year. Sharchold.
to cast favorable eye on the welfare Of the
old and thriving corporation. However, a
mutlnOus feeling of discomfort was plainly
visible upon the faces Of the thirty old en-
ployes, who swarmed like bees into the hive
every weekday morning, for the purpose Of
lighteth. the souls Of distributing directors and
radiant proprietors. The shoe pinched some.
where. Where was 1t?
The following notice, circulated for the
perusal OF each clerk, contained the secret OF
the unwonted gloom:
livery gentleman will be required to remain
at the banking house two Sundays in the year
to assist in guarding the premises.
by order, J. sPoFFoRrH, Secretary"
!. Here was revolutions coup a etatindeed!
Six days we should labor, but the seventh GER
talnly did not belong to the City and Proyin-
cial Bank. The gliding of a little extra nav
might have made the pill easier to swallow.
but on this point the notice was discreetly
reticent. In the end, after few days Of cor.
seeture ana excitement every one quietly
slaves are bound to do all the world over.
l had been ten years in the bank, and re-
ceived q salary which, though not magnifi.
cent, was sufficient to support in comfort a
young wife; and very happy we were In our
snug retreat at Wood Green. OF course we
both thought it extremely hard to be sepa-
rated even for two Sundays in year; still.
we soon saw there was nothing for it but sub.
mission. ~
IS Now, though !, in common with others. re-
beAed against the forcible seizure OF SUNDAYS
rest, yet it must be owned there was some
reason for the extraordinary innovation. The
ments had been attempted within fortnight.
and boy carrying bonds in Broad Street had
been decoyed away aud the securities stolen.
But worst of all some pilfering had been 90
ing on for months in our own bank.
Stamps had disappeared to an alarming extent,
Clerks had missed money from their coats and
now and then the garments themselves were
spirited away. Traps had been carefully iaid.
and detective spoken with; but as yet the
rogue was not discovered, and the uneasy
feeling was rife among us all. ~
The bank boosted Of four porters or mes
sengers, one of whom-Jhe chief-liyed rent
free in premises that nearly adjoined the
building. He was long, lean man named
Bennett, with parchment face and eoatee
beard. Some people said he was civil, others
servile; at all events he was quiet, well up to
his work, and high in favor with the autbori.
ties. OF the the remaining three, one had
been grocer's boy, and the other was a
country lout put into a green coat and brass
buttons, both honest creatures, but of no inn
PORTAGE in this narrative. The fourth was
an ex-policeman named Lance, a blunt, pleas
ant man, much given to relating queer stories
OF his former life, and not aVerse TO a Dot of
beer for his trouble. ~. -.
After eight weeks are passed since the Of
fcal notification, it came round to my turn 10
keep guard. 81
During the week preceding the mystery had
become still more Intensified by the unac-
eountable disappearance of a $40 note and
matters began to assume very grave aspect
On arriving at the bank, the door was
opened by the night Waterman, an old pension
ed soldier, who, for 81 a week, remained in
the building all night, and vanished with the
to open the doors. A few minutes afterward
Bennett walked in, accompanied, to my Joy,
by honest old Lance, whose wonderful stories
fondly hoped would help to relieve the to-
dunn of long, dull day; then, without more
ado, I proceed to make my first round.
Proceeded by Bennett, with lighted taper,
marched up stairs, through every room
and Office, across perilous planks and up
dangerous ladders, till swe gained the trap
door which Opened on to the root, then down
again to the lowest abysses of coal-celler and
strong-room! looking in vain for some con-
cealed Guy Fhwkes, who, however, was con-
spicuous for his absence.
Very infinitely did examine and try the
drawer, which had already been tempered
with, as knew it contained, besides STAN ps,
large sum in gold and notes. Not seem
ed firm and safe, and would take "a deal O.
work." as Bennett remarked, holding his te-
per close to the lock. Lance, too, had a
good look at it, and expressed the same sa ga
cious opinion as his colleague. "
Our first visit ended-and was expected to
patrol at least three times in the day-the
two porters went to breakfast, and I adjourn
ed to the managers room, leaving the door
partly open, SO as to be able to see all round
the bank Ilit cigar, and, ensconcing my
self comfortably in the managerial arm chair,
prepared to stay the two hours which inter,
vened between the cessation of the church
bells and luncheon time. Suddenly old
Lance appeared at the half-opened door, and
spoke in this wise: - - fs
"'Scuse me, sir, but I've been pleacemap,
and don't think that locks all ri CHIT" :
(which lock, Lancer" said
"That there drawer with the stamps, sir"
Swell, let us look again.f ...
SO saying, we both went to the counter
which contained the drawer and Lance point
ed out some small scratches GU the lock, and
a slight indentation in the woodwork sur
rounding it. -------- .-----
THAT'S chise, if 1 die for it!' said the ex.
policeman. .....,
by Jove! You don't mean itP'
"Sure Of 1t, sir" t s" 1st "s..
well, let's have Bennett up stairs, and
hear what he thinks of it." T. - ',.,-., .....
Angry at being disturbed at his breakfast
the head porter came grumbling to the place
where stood, and bending down to the lock
impatiently inquired if it was not deal more
likely the cashier scratched it in the course
of business After q few minutes further in.
spectiop, he looked up with knowing smile
II believe Lance is right. now; 1t 10 oks SC
fresh, shouldn't wonder if the Waterman
knew something about this @
Perhaps So" said +; "what do you think
LanceY " @
well, he looks honest enough-but looks
amt always guide" said the man, quietly
"Then I'll stop in the bank tonight, and
see If can trap my gentleman" exclaimed
Bennett, Elf you'll leave me the key"
II can't do that" replied, "but I shall re-
port the fact to the manager the first thing In
| the morning"
Gas you like, sir,' he assented reluctantly
and they both returned to their long-neglect-
| ed meal.
Again retreated into my den, this time
| with the proud consciousness of having some
| thing important to relate when Monday morn
ing should see the stream of lbusv workers
once mOres settling with books and papers
and filthy lucre generally. One-nay, two
cigars did consume down to the last half
inch read "Bvles on Bills0 nearly thrOn OH in