Connecticut western news., 1881-11-09
THE BOGUS WATCHMEN.
The Story of a Bank Robbery Many
 Years ARo


 zszs,z..z,z..e-sz Years Ago.
 New York papers are telling over again the story of 8 noted bank robbery of many years ago. It is an interesting story :-One afternoon, just abou hail past two o'clock, fine-looking sergeant of police, looking very we'll in his uni form, tall man of military bearing, very precise and polite, neat and trim from top and toe, model of an officer, walked into the bank and desired to see the president on business of importance. He was shown at once into the presi. dents room, and found himself face to face with that official. In few words the model sergeant told his business, which was of importance indeed. The police authorities had been informed that well-organized attempt was about to be made to rob the bank by & gang of thieves. The latter had been study. ing up the bank and the safe and all things and persons connected therewith. and got every point down fine. Under ordinary circumstances the thieves wauld surely have succeeded, but the unex- pected had happened in this case, and the police got hold of the plot. The bank was accordingly safe if the officers of the institution would only be guided by the police authorities. Of course the president expressed his sincere will lngness to do just what the police wanted, which was very simple and sen- sible. They only wanted the bank peo- pie to admit squad of the police into the building, admitting them one by one, so as not to attract attention or give alarm to the general public. By this means the police would frighten off the thieves, who were probably watch ing every movement around the build ing. And if it should possibly be that an attempt were made to rob the bank why, with the police inside, of course it would come to grief.
 The president of the bank agreed to the idea of the police at once, and thanked the sergeant, as the police rep resentative, in the name of the bank for such thoughtful vigilance. "After all, :" said the president to himself, "the metropolitan police is the finest in the world'." And he asked the sergeant to partake of lunch. The model sergeant was, however, compelled by his sense of duty to decline the honor, and departed to arrange about sending some of his men to the bank, one by one, as agreed upon.
 Before he left, the watchman of the bank was sent for, and some instructions given him by the model sergeant. The watchman was big burly fellow, and looked very strong, but he didn't seem very smart. Still he was certainly brave and honest, and those are the chief things in bank watchman.
 The watchman, of course, was very glad to have assistance of the police. He was also particularly glad at the prospect of having their company. It was kind of lonely in the big bank after business hours, alone with all that gold and money in the big safe, and the guardian of the bank was we'll pleased to have somebody help him guard it. So all interested in tho bank were well pleased with the proposed arrangement the model sergeant included.
 About three o'clock in walked one policeman, who snid 41o had -bee, sout by the sergeant, and was shown to an agreed upon place. About half past three walked in another policeman on the same errand, and was shown to the same place. About four o'clock third policeman walked in, and at last in walked the model sergeant himself.
 Ofcourse no attempt upon the bank on the part of the thieves was looked for till late that night. So, after all the officials of the establishment had left for the day, the policemen proceeded to make themselves comfortable inside the bank till their services should be needed, which they didn't expect would be the case at all, the model sergeant thinking that the thieves would begin to suspect, from having seen so many policemen around the bank building that some thing was up.
 At any rate, discipline among the po- lice was suspended for 8 while inside the bank, and the watchman and the "cops" got on the very best of terms. As for the model sergeant, he proved himself modern companion and champion story-teller. He told some of the best yarns that the watchman had ever heard, and altogether they had a good time. ss...- ....-. ,-..- ..-.- 41
 While the model sergeant spun his yarns, his men made themselves &C., quainted thoroughly with the inside of the bank and all the points connected with it, as was right in men in their po- sition. Finally, about midnight, after all hands had had sociable meal pro- Vided by the iberality of the president, and had partaken in moderation of some wine belonging to the presidents prl. 7ate cellar they sohorud doWn to busi- ness and to keeping guard.
 For an hour nothing occurred, and | he clock struck one. Then, saying he wanted 8 whiff of fresh air as moment, he model sergeant opened the outer loor of the bank communicating with he street. At the same moment the yatchman was seized, and ere he could truggle or give the alarm, was bound nd gagged by two of the policemen, cting onsa sign from the model ser cant.
 Gagged and bound, the watchman 7as deposited on the floor like bundle. ne of the policemen taking a chair by jim, and pointing pistol at his head.