Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-08-31

immedlateIy fell to discussing the rob-
berry Of his bank. He congratulated me
on my good fortune and knowingly hint
ed that "the old gentleman" would treat
me cleyerly in the way Of reward.
said this young man was very
genial fellow, but somehow | soon be-
gan to feel an instructive distrust in him.
piled him with questions concerning
the habits and business methods Of the
missing teller, but he returned evasive
answers. In one or two little things he
contradicted himself, and finally, when
unexpectedly asked him how long he
had been employed in the bank, he re-
piled, after looking at me in dazed sort
Of way, "Oh, about year or two." At
once the thought came to me: What il
my ''escort" was one of the young men
had seen outside the presidents office.
Perhaps he had overheard our converse
ton and had planned this neat little
scheme of playing the role Of clerk of
the bank sent me for protection" as he
insinuatingly put it. If SO, readily saw
that he intended to make an effort to get
his hands on the valise and then seize
the first opportunity to bid me goodby.
This theory was strengthened when
noted that my protector" seemed grad
ually to become very uncommunicative,
and the conversation during the rest Of
the journey referred to passing objects
and sights. Try as hard as could failed
to get anything satisfactory out Of him
concerning the robbery.
When / reached home, l politely asked
the young man to take seat in the hall
while I stepped up stairs to get glimpse
of the treasure. found my wife at the
head Of the stairs, very excited. In an
adjoining room we examined the valise,
and at rough estimate we placed the
amount at about the figure the newspa-
pers said Swope had carried off with
him-somewhere about 900, 1000.
/ did not tell my wife of my suspicious
Of the young man down stairs, but re-
solved at once to arm myself in order to
be prepared for the worst. 1t is well
known fact that in Kentucky the sixth
commandment has long ago been de-
clared unconstitutional, and l quickly
made up my mind that if my bodyguard
showed any signs of playing me false
would let him have dose of cold lead.
Contrary to my expectations the young
fellow made no offer to carry the valise
as we started on our journey back to the
bank. At the end of the short street on
which lived we stopped to take a car.
My friend had again become very affa-
Bile, and as we stood on the corner he Of
fered me a cigar. L took it, thanked
him, and placing my valise carefully on
the ground between my feet struck a
match to light it. Just as was in the
act of doing SO l received blow from
the left that sent me staggering into the
middle of the street. At the same mo-
ment my protector disappeared in the
other direction. a2u 4
Look here, young man." said gruff
voiced fellow in uniform at my side as he
shook me violently, II thought you told
me you were going to take the train west
tonight. 1t has just pulled out, and you're
left"
Opening my eyes looked around the
waiting room in q confused way and
reached for my valise.
1t was nowhere to be foundl
My brusque arouser instantly took in
the situation, and with look Of intense
disgust on his face said as he turned
away: dF
II guess that studentlike sport who
was sitting beside you has taken care Of
your baggage. He passed me a few
moments ago on his way to the train
with couple of valises. Next time you
60 travelling, young man, you had Better
take some one along with you to care
for you while you sleep. st Louis
Post Dispatch.