Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-07-23

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"Who are you ?" says he.
"Who are You ?' says I, thinking that
was an innocent remark, as he commenced
it, and trying all the time 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.
eyes, sir" saysI touching my cap. "Mr
Jennings, he telegraphed this morning as
the lock was out of order and he couldn't
getin, and I'm come on to open it for him.
II told jennings week ago." says he
"that he ought to get that lock fixed
Where is he ?"
"He's been writing letters, and he's
gone up to his house to get another letter
he wanted for to;answer."
swell, why don't you 90 right on," says
he.
"Ive got almost through" says 1, land l
didn't want to finish up and open the vault
till there was somebody here"
"That's very creditable to you," says ne
"a very proper sentiment, my man. You
can't be too particular about avoiding the
very suspicion of evil" he goes on, coming
round by the door.
"No, sir" says I, modest like.
"What do you suppose is the matter with
the lock ?" says he.
II don't rightly know yet," says 1, "but
I think it's little worse on account of not
being oiled enough. These locks ought to
be oiled about once year."
"Well," says he, "you might as we'll 60
right on now am here ; I will stay till Jen-
nings comes. Can 1 help you-hold your
lantern or something of that sort?"
The thought came to me like flash, and
turned around and says:
Chow do know you are the president:
1 have never seen you before and you may
be trying to crack this bank for all know"
"That's very proper inquiry, my man,
says he, "and shows remarkable degree OF
discretion in you. I confess that 1 should
not have thought of the position in which
1 was placing you. However, I can easily
convince you it is all right. Do you know
what the presidents name is?"
"No, DON'T" said, rather surly.
"Well, you'll find it on that bill," said he,
taking bill out of his pocket; "and you'll
see the same on these letters" and he took
some letters from his coat pocket.
suppose that ought to have gone on
then, but was beginning to feel interested
in making him prove who he was, so
said:
"You might have got those letters to put
up job on me-"
"You are an honest man." he said; lone
among thousand. Don't think Pm at all
offended at your persistence. No, my good
fellow, like it, like =" and he laid his
hand upon my shoulder. "Now here,' he
said, taking bundle out of his pocket, "is
a package of one thousand pounds in bonds
A burglar wouldn't be apt to carry those
round with him, would he? bought them
in the city yesterday and stopped here to-
night on my way home to place them in the
vault; and 1 may add that your simple and
manly honesty has so touched me that
would willingly leave them in your hands
for safe keeping. You needn't blush at my
praise"
"I SUPPOSE I did turn rather red when
saw those bonds.
care you satisfied now?" he said.
I told him I was, thoroughly. And so
was.
So 1 picked up my drill again, and gave
him nv lantern to hold, SO that could see
the door. I heard Jim, as call him, out
side once or twice, and 1 nearly burst Out
laughing, thinking how he must be won
dering what was going on inside.
worked away, and kept explaining tC
the president what was trying to do He
was very much interested in mechanics, he
said, and he knew that was man well
up in my business by the way I went tc
work. He asked about what wages got
and how I liked my business, and said ne
took quite fancy to me.
turned round once in a while and look
ed at him sitting there as solemn as an owl
with my dark lantern in his blessed hand
and Pm blamed if didn't think l should
have to halloa right out.
got through the lock pretty soon, and
put in my wire and opened it. Then he
took hold of the door and opened the vault
cpl put my bonds in, said he, and gohome'
You can lock up and wait till Mr.. Jennings
comes. don't suppose you will try to fix
the lock tonight"
told him I shouldn't do anything more
with it, as we could get in before morning.
"Well, bid you goodnight, my man,
says he as he swung the door to again.
Just then 1 heard Jim whistle, and /
guess the watchman was coming up the
street.
"And," said to the president, "you might
speak to the watchman, if you see him, and
tell him to keep an extra lookout tonight" !"
81 WILL" said he, and we both went to
the front door.
"There comes the Wachman up the street, "
said he. "Watchman, this man has been
fixing the bank lock, and 1 want you to
keep sharp look out tonight. He will
stay here until Mr.. Jennings returns"
"Good-night again." said he, and he
went up the street.
saw Jim-so called-in the shadow on
the other side of the street, as I stood on
the step with the watchman.
SWELL" said I to the watchman, "pll 60
and pick up my tools and get ready to CO."
Invent back into the bank, and it didn't
take long to throw the door open and stuff
the bonds into the bag. There were some
! hnYaS luino around and a safe I should