Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-09
now un SAVED HIMSELF.
MillionnIrc's Experience with Tw,
Hic hNny men.

HiE EhNnN men.
II isn't often that a reporter Is on chummy
terms with a real live millionaire but there
ara limos when even that sort Of luck hap
pcus, and en- the occasion referred to this
Washington Star reporter was not only
chummy With the millionaire but he was
drinking champagne with him.
l; was indeed an ausricous moment
Need u be mentioned who was paying FOR
tho same?
As ;hc conversation ran smoothly along
the reporter asked the millionaire " he
had ever been held up or otherwise de-
spoiled OF his hnrd-earned savings.
do you know" said tho rich man, Sc
rously, that there Is a good deal Of dis
comfort on that score In the possession Of
great WEALTH. | presume | am worth i
couple OF millions which. OF course, In a
general way Is supposed to be twenty or
more. and 1t is at that figure that | pose In
the minds Of those Cranks who make men
sign big checks at pistol points or make
them whack up the cash on pain OF dynamit-
Ing. Five years ago. when made million
on lucky rise, 1t occurred to me that
might be made victim. and ag one prccau-
ton l Instructed my bankers to pay no
check of mine that called for more than
500 and TO arrest the party presenting II.
I did my Business In three banks and car
ried blank checks on them all Well, one
two men popped down on me and before
could make any outcry or even get out OF
my chair they had me covered with their
rcvolvers. My office force consisted only OF
a typewriter and stcnographor, and he was
out for an hour, so the thieves had Ii all TO
themselves. Indeed, they had been wait
ing for the chance, because my stenographer
TOOK ~ hour of every dAy at the same time
an 10Y had evidently acquainted them
sclr With the fact. In any event there
was srd there they were, and with the door
locked and two guns staring at me | had
little chance to do otherwise than as | was
hidden. | tried to parley, but they would
not permit any monkeying so they informed
me, neither would they give me ninety
days. as it was strictly cash transaction,
and I'd better hurry. They ran through my
desk and safe and found no money, and at
once demanded check, putting the amount
of their own free will at Sll i32 55, so that
they would not overdraw my account ncr
excite suspicion by making an amount in
round numbers, | had 500 600 or more TO
my credit. and told them so, but they were
afraid was putting up a job on them, and
said that they weren't hogs. and would be
satisfied with the amount they had selected.
drew up the check and signed it as they
suggested and then one Of them took 1t
and said he would go to the bank and see
about 1t, while the other would remain and
see to me. ! hadn't quite expected this.
and didn't know what might happen, but
braced myself and waited. The man with
tho check locked the door and as the bank
was only half a block away he said he would
be back in ten minutes. 1t wasn't that
long, but 1t seemed to me like month, and
when | heard that key rattling In the door
/ became so nervous ! could hardly sit in
my chair When the door opened, how
ever, | was easy in a minute, for instead OF
tho thief were two bank detectives. and be-
fore the gentleman waiting with me could
offer an objection they had him collared."
But how did they get on?" inquired the
reporter, whose wits were slightly dulled
by the novelty OF his contents.
Easy" responded the millionaire. THE
bank clerk knew something was crooked
when he saw that big check, and without
any disturbance at all he gave the tip to
the men on watch. and they had the fellow
at the window before he knew he was even
suspected. The rest of 1t was easy, for my
office key with its number was in his
pocket. and they had had experience enough
TO knew what the layout was and how to
finish the game to win"