The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1892-11-11

could get hold Of, what country |
should 90 to, and so forth and so
on. When | suddenly found my
self greatly interested | jumped
mp IN shame and confusion. bu,
halt an hour later wa deep in i'm
agination again.
1t seemed that the evil one did
everything in his power to aid me
after had finally determined on
my course. l had the "luek' to
meet an American who had jast
returned from South America.
lie mentioned several sure things
IN the way Of speculation, and
painted such glowing picture OF
the country that | was excited and
impaliont. The bank had large
deposits that fall, and on he 18th
OF September We had nearly $70,-
600 Of what was called out
side money. THIS was cash
temporarily deposited by The
cashiers of three or four manniac.
turing Establishments. had been
waiting for such an opportunity.
| could have taken from $4,000 10
$25,OOO almost any day, but |
planned 10 practically clean out
the institution.
Between the 4th aud I1,h Of
September planned the details of
my flight. ! knew the time tables
of The different railroads | should
pass over, what day | should take
The steamer, and every detail had
been carefully worked out. | might
be pursued, but tlattered myself
that | had laid my plans too well
10 be caught. I planned to 20 to
the bank at 8 O'Clock in The even.
Ing and secure admission. The
watchman would not hesitate 10
let me in. l would then assault
and overcome him. He could not
give the alarm before morning,
and would then be lar away. |
planned 10 make my coup on the
night of the 18th. At The close of
business on the afternoon of that
day we had 100000 in greenbacks
in the vaults. Alter a bank has
closed its doors TO the public at 3
O'Clock p. m. there is work to keep
the force busy an hour or more.
For year | had always been the
last one 20 leave, and my hour had
been 6 o'clock. The rusty day
porter was then left alone until
s o'clock when he gave place TO the
regular night Waterman. At half.
past 5 o'clock that afternoon and
just as the last clerk had departed
The night watchman came to mott
fy me that his wife had died sud.
denly and to ask that substitute
be employed. He named a man,
but told him that | would make
my own arrangements.
When the watchman had depart.
ed l notified the day porter that
he might leave at 6 O'clock, as |
had work which would detain me
TIL about s. Five minutes alter
6 | was alone in the bank and its
funds We're under my thumb. The
train by which l should leave town
was not due until 1880, and was
therefore IN no hurry. | locked
up and went TO my boarding house
10 supper. Att o'clock / return.
ed to The bank, pulled down the
shades, lighted the gas, and in the
course of twenty miDules had
packed every dollar in the vaults
into a sa,chel provided for the
purpose. This salchel | placed on
a char outside The railing, and had
sat down for a smoke when there
was a rap at The door. knew it
was one of our force, but hardly
expected 10 see the president him,
self.
81 expected il was YOU" he said,
as he entered ; "always the last to
90. Yon are working too hard and
must take a rest. At a meeting OF
The board to-day il was decided to
give You a months leave and a
gift of $500 in cash. You have
been faithful and efficient and we
wish you TO know how thoroughly
yon are appreciated"
don't remember what | said in
reply, but do remember that
something like horror seized upon
me at the idea Of my own base
ness. Right there within reach of
his hand, was the money intend.
ed TO fl with, and yet he was law
ish in MS praises OF my integrity.
He renamed only a briet time,
and soon after his departure |
went outside to walk about and
plan a little. hadn't given up
ihe idea of robbery and flight, but
a sill, small voice was whispering
10 me. On The first street corner
encouni cred a tramp. | was very
much perturbed, but | shall al.
ways remember what he said.
When he asked for aims | suppose
| stared at him, for he added:
"Yes, I'm ashamed of myself
It's my own fault that I'm down
here. | let temptation get the
better of me-"
That was another prick of con
science but he actually hurt me
when he said:
"Thanky, old man. May YOU
never know what il is to lose the
respect of the world"
Within Twelve hours it would be
known that ! was an embezzlel
and an absconderl Not only tina,
but l was robbing widows and or
phans and helpless old men! |,
| lo2nrxhoA - s<asa thai un..l1 al