Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-06-01

whistle again. stopped, and pretty
soon heard footsteps outside, and I'm
blowed il they didn't come right up the
bank steps, and | heard key in the
lock. l was so dumbfounded when
heard that, that you could have
slipped the bracelets right on me.
picked up my lantern, and I'll be
hanged il I didn't let the lid slip
down and throw the light right on to
the door, and there was the president.
Instead of calling for help, as thought
he would, he took q step inside the
door. and shaded his eyes with his
hands and looked at me. / knowed
ought to knock him down and cut out,
but I'm blest il / could, I was that
surprised.
"Who are you? p says he.
"Who are you ?" says l, thinking that
was an innocent remark as he com.
menced it, and a trying all the timo to
collect myself.
I'm the president OF the bank" says
he, kinder short; something's the
matter with the lock?"
BY George! the idea came to me
then.
'Yes, sir, :" says I touching my cap;
"Mr. Jennings, he telegraphed this
morning as the lock was out OF order
and he couldn't get in, aud I'm come
on to open it for him"
II told jennings a week ago. says
he, "that be ought to get that loci;
fixed. Where is hep
Hes been a writing letters, and he's
gone up to the house to get another let
ter he wanted to answer"
"Well, why don't you go right on?7
says he.
1--WE got almost through" says I;
"and l didn't want to finish up and
open the vault till there was somebody
here"
That's very creditable to you,n says
he; "a very proper sentiment, my man.
You can't" he goes on, coming round by
the door, "be too particular about
avoiding the very suspicion of evil"
"No, sir" says /, kinder modest like.
What do you suppose is the matter
with the lock?' says he.
II don't rightly know yet" says l;
"but rather think it's little wore on
account of not being oiled eDough.
These ere locks ought to be oiled aboa.
once year"
We'll" says he, lyon might as we'll
go right on, aow I'm here; | will stay
till Jennings comes. Can't help you?-
hold your lantern, or something of tina.
sort?'
The thought came TO me like fash,
and | turned around and says:
"How do know you're the president?
I amt ever seen you before, and you
may DO a,trying to crack this bank, for
all knowg'
That's a very proper inquiry, my
man" said he, "and shows a most Ie.
markable degree OF discretion. con.
fess that l should not have thought of
the position in which / was placing
you. However, | can easily convince
you that its all right. Do you know
vhat the presidents name is p
mo, I don't" says l. sorter surly.
"Well, you'll find it on that bill,"
said he, taking bill out of his pocket,
"and you see the same name on these
letters" and he took some letters from
his coat.
1 suppose ought TO have gone right
on then, but | was beginning to fee
interested in making him prove who he
vas, so l says:
4" You might have got them letters to
put up job on me-"
"You're very honest man" says he;
lone among q thousand. Don't think
I'm at all offended at your persistence.
No, my good fellow. / like II, like
it, and he laid his hand on my shoul-
der. Nov here" says he, taking a
bundle out OF his pocket, els q package
Of ten thousand dollars in bonds. A
burglar wouldn't be apt to carry those
around with him, would he7 bought
them in the city yesterday, and I
stopped here TO night on my way home
to place them in the vault, and, I may
add, that your simple and manly hon.
esty has 80 touched me, thas would
willingly leave them in your hands for
safe-keeping. You needn't blush at my
praise"
l suppose I did turn sorter red when
see them bonds.
care you satisfied now r says he.
1 told him was, thoroughly. and so