St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-08-30
BURGLARY BY TELEPHONE.
Thomas Jefferson Odell's Speculation
Chicago Herald.

Thomas jefferson Odell's Speculation
chicago Herald.
'It is well-known fact that no
other section of the population avail
themselves more readily and speed ly
of the latest triumphs of science than
the criminal Glass; said Inspector Bon
field yesterday. "The educated GRIM
inal, ;" he continued, "skims the cream
from every new invention, if he can
make use of it. No safe has yet been
constructed that keeps out the shrewd
and determined burglar, and that's the
way in everything. But / don't recall
a case in which this truth was more
brilliantly demonstrated than the Max
we'll case"
"What case was that 2" queried an
old newspaper man present. 81 don't
recollect of ever hearing of it before"
'sNo, suppose you DON'T" said Mr..
Bonfield musingly. "The fact of the
matter is it never was case that prop
erly belongs to the department., but l
can speak of it now. You see it was
at the time when the telephone had
just been introduced into business and
private use. George Maxwell-that's
not his real name, but it will do as
well-was at that time one of the most
successful spectators on the board of
trade, and was currently reported to
have some time ago tipped the scale
which marked the millions. He was a
young and handsome man, and he had
just married charming woman. 1t
was an out-and-out love match. A
score or SO of messages were despatch
ed every day during business hours.
To save expense and to increase the
facilities of communication, Mr.. Max
we'll connected his Office with his home
by private telephone wires. SHe was
one of the first men in Chicago to do
so. About five out of six business
hours we're now spent by him at the
'hellO.'
"One day just before the close of
business there was a ring at the tele
phone. The devoted husband with a
jump, was there. what does my
sweet pet wish q he murmured.
'I'm no pet. You mistake me, sir ]"
came the reply, in an Enthusiastically
masculine voice, voice gruff and rasp-
ing, but very distinct.
"Who are you, then 2" asked the as
tonished millionaire.
"I'm Thomas Jefferson Odell, the
accomplished burglar, if you want to
know
Repeat, please gasped the other.
"'Odell, the burglar came the an
swer over the wire.
"'The devil = exclaimed Mr.. Max
we'll.
"'No, only one of his faithful SER
wants. But, now, listen. | have no
time to fool away. / and my two pals
have gained access to your house. The
cook, the chambermaid, and your wife
are lying here bound and gagged. The
niger cOachman has been disposed of.
Some bundles of oily rags have been
judiciously distributed about the
house, ready to be ignited.'
"'YOu bloody scOundrel ? shouted
the agonized husband, whose eyes were
bullying during this recital.
"'DOn't excite yourself. Now, sir,
here is my proposal. If you should
disappear from the telephone without
acceding to it, l shall set fire to the
house. It's no use applying to the po-
lice for we'd be too quick for them.
You will see, Mr.. Maxwell, that you
are completely in my power. The on
ly sensible thing you can do is to listen
to my proposal and to agree to it,
"'Oh, 1 wish had my hand at your
throat, you Internal villain = shouted
the millionaire, mad with rage.
"'But you know you haven't, so
what's the use of talking that way
Let us talk business instead. | need
loan of $4,000 cash. 1 need it at
once. If you are inclined to lend me
that sum without guarantee | shall
lao
actly the same condition in which |
found it,
"'You are running me, groaned Max
we'll. 'And l don't think have that
much money in cash in the Office safe.'
"'YOu force me to commit an afro
cious deed came the remorseless re-
ply. ~,
to whom p
"It is now SIS exactly. At this
very moment my pal has entered your
Office to receive the money. You will
pay him and he will tell you the pass
word agreed to between us, which you
will telephone to me at once
"Mr. Maxwell turned around. A
stranger of pleasant mien, dressed in
the height of fashion, stood before him.
Said the visitor Il have called to COL
lect little matter of $4,000 for a
friend of mine, Thos. Jefferson Odell.'
"'Correctp replied Mr.. Maxwell,
who went to the safe, took from it two
bundles containing $4,000 each, and
handed the money to the stranger.
The latter ascertained that the amount
was correct, then placed the money
inside his two breast pockets.
"'And the watchword 2 queried
Mr.. Maxwell.
"'Do right and interfere not y re-
piled the burglars confederate with a
great deal of dignity, and strobe out of
the Office with all the grandeur of a
Spanish hidalgo.
"'Do right and interfere not = joy
fully shouted Mr.. Maxwell through the