Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-09-11

-ASSNaa ~ AeJA 10, SGT oiOhC
one evening In his counting house The
season had been a prosperous one, for
much money had changed hands
through the unsettled state of the pub
lie mind, occasioned by bank failures
and the explosions of public COM
panies, but Marsden & Rylotty bank
had stood mistaken, for 1t was con-
Quoted upon a sound financial basis,
with a large capital, and had become
quite an old established institution.
In consequence of the aforesaid fail
ures, the receipts at Marsden's had
expanded enormously, and Mr.. Philip,
whose heart and soul were in the life
long work which his great grandfath-
er founded, frequently drove across and
stayed behind for an hour or so of late
to glance through the transactions of
the day carefully and quietly. 1t was
perhaps little indiscreet so far as his
health was concerned, for Philip was
travelling toward the shutdown" of life,
having passed his three score years
and 10. His medical adviser had fire.
quently enjoined him to avoid mental
or physical exertion, but when the ban
ker laughed and pooh-hooed the idea
the doctor, with a merry twinkle in his
eye, prophesied that Marsden would
assuredly die in the harness.
The latter almost believed it, too,
while admitting that his intellect was
not so keen, his judgment and discrim-
mating faculties not quite so clear, nor
his strength what it was some 40 years
| back. He had been master financier
| in his early days at the bank, conjur-
ing with monetary problems as boys
do with marbles, and giving the strict
est attention to the work and to the
| secure custody of the documents and
cash within it's walls. Some ingenious
| devices in the construction of the
building and its rooms were attribute
BILE to his foresight, artifice and care.
Marsden was a dear old gentleman,
genial, happy, and exceedingly kind to
the staff in his employ, who, in return,
performed their duties to the letter.
knowing the esteem in which their SER
vices were held and substantially rec
ognized.
The moments wore on, and Mr.. Mars
den with yawn, rose from his seat,
and was just about to depart when d
knock at the side door of the office de-
manded his attention. Upon opening
|
wart officers in plain clothes confront
ed him.
You are Mr.. Marsden, believe, sir,
the head of the bank?" inquired the
sergeant in an anxious undertone.
THAT is so. I am Mr.. Marsden."
II have some most important evil
dence to communicate, if you will
grant us a few minutes in private, sir"
Indeed! Certainly. Step inside. And
these two gentlemen, who might they
be?" asked the banker, turning on his
| heel.
1.-TWO detective officers engaged upon
their duty" replied the sergeant, and
the trio We're quickly ushered into the
private sanctum of the banker
II am staying rather later than US
ual tonight; it is fortunate I had not
gone"
Very fortunate, for our visit con-
Germs you most seriously"
"Indeed!' said Mr.. Philip, opening
his eyes widely and popping his gold
trimmed spectacles up on his forehead.
Eyes, sir, from information which
has come into our possession and which
1 must ask you in the interest of public
justice not to divulge, but to afford us
what assistance you can, 1 have to in
form you that a daring robbery is con-
templated upon your bank tonight"
"Neverw said Mr.. Marsden, starting
aghast. why, these premises are
proof against anything"
You may think so, but you don't
know these men. To go into the mat
ter, sir, it came about in this way: We
were on the scent of notorious little
gang of three expert bank robbers and
safe breakers a short time since, and
thorough smart fellows, too. But I'M
fortunately, we only succeeded in run
ming one to earth-the others eluded
US. The prisoner was convicted and
sentenced to 10 years penal servitude;
but, like similar cases we have known,
it subsequently came to his knowledge
that his confederates had since his in
generation not acted up to their prom
Use in making provision for his aged
mother out of their ill-gotten gains, so
he, in a spirit of revenge, peached upon
them, and furnished us with full in
formation concerning their where
abouts and future intentions. From
this point these two other officers can
better explain than L."
"Great heavens! you astound mer'
said the aged banker who became
further agitated
DO not alarm yourself, sir; they
will fall into their own trap, rest as
sured," continued one of the detectives
taking up the thread of the narrative
Eyes, acting on the statement made by
the prisoner my colleague and 1 IL
> stituted careful and, might say, cum
ming inquiries for these willy fellows
!. are difficult to track. We have beer
unable to come upon the two individu
ais themselves, but after indefatigable
J efforts from a roundabout courses
woman, as usual, being at the bottom
of tive have learned that they in
tend forcing Marsden & Rylotty's banl
: tonight, and leaving by the boat ex
press tomorrow for the continent"
'"The scoundrels!"
But they will just be deceived, sir
We have hit upon plan, and ask yol
to acquiesce in our carrying it out"
, Most certainly, whatever you thinl
! best. What do you suggest?
well, we want to catch them red
: handed, as it were, and ask your per
mission to secrete ourselves upon tn
. premises for the night, so as to full.
= be prepared and waiting for our men.