The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-09-16
SELECTED STORY.
A Z" Safe f" Affair.

alone one evening in his counting
house. The season had been a very
heavy and prosperous one, for much
money had exchanged hands through
the unsettled state of the public mind,
occasioned by bank failures and the
explosions of public companies; but
Marsden & Rylotty's bank had stood
mistaken, for it was conducted upon
sound financial basis, with large cap
ital, and had become quite an old es-
tablished institution.
In consequence of the aforesaid fail
ures the receipts at Marsden's had ex
panded enormously, and Mr.. Philip,
whose heart and soul were in the life
long work which his great-grandfather
founded, frequently drove across and
stayed behind for an hour or so, of late,
to glance through the transactions
carefully and quietly. 1t was, perhaps,
little indiscreet 30 far as his health
was concerned, for Philip was travelling
toward the shutdown of life, having
passed his three-score years and ten.
His medical adviser had frequently en-
Joined him to avoid mental or physical
exertion, his constitution being far
from strong now; but when the banker
laughed and pooh-poohed 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 forty
years back. He had been q mastery
fnancier in his earlier days at the
bank, conjuring with monetary prob
lens as boys do with marbles, and CIV
ing the strctest attention to the work
and to the secure custody of the docu.
ments and cash within its walls. Some
very ingenious devices in the construc-
ton of the building and its rooms were
attributable to his foresight, artifce
and care. Marsden was a dear old
gentleman-genial, happy and exceed
ingly kind to the staff in his employ,
who, in return, performed their duties
to the very letter, knowing the esteem
in which their services were held and
substantially recognized.
The moments wore on, and Mr.
Marsden, with yawn, rose from his
seat, and was just about TO depart
when knock at the side door of the
office demanded his attention. Upon
opening the door police sergeant and
two stalwart officers in plain clothes
confronted him.
"You are Mr.. Marsden, believe,
sir, the head of the bank?" inquired
the sergeant in an anxious undertone.
That is 50. l am Mr.. Marsden."
81 have some most important evil
dence to communicate, if you will
grant US few minutes in private, SIR"
Indeed! Certainly. Step inside.
And these two gentlemen, who might
they be?" asked the banker, turning
on his heel.
upon their duty" replied the sergeant,
and the trio were quickly ushered into
the private sanctum of the banker.
81 am staying rather later than
usual tonight; it is fortunate l had
not gone"
every fortunate, for our visit con-
Germs you most seriously"
"Indeed?" said Mr.. Philip, open
ing his eyes widely and popping his
gold-rimmed spectaces up on his fore
head.
Eyes, sir; from information which
has come into our possession - and
which l must ask you, in the interest
of the public justice, not to divulge,
but to afford us what assistance you
CAM have to inform you that dar-
ing robbery is contemplated upon
your bank tonight"
"Neverl said Mr. Marsden, staring
aghast "Why, these premises are
proof against anything"
You may think so; but you don't
know these men. To go into this 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 short time since, and
thorough smart fellows, too. Unfor-
tunately, we only succeeded in running
one to earth; the others eluded us.
The prisoner was convicted and SEN
fenced to ten 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 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 heavensl you astound mep
said the aged banker, who became fur.
Their agitated
"Do not alarm yourself, sir; they
will fall into their own trap, rest as
sured," continued one of the detec
tives, taking up the thread of the mar
rative. Yes; acting on the state
ment made by the prisoner, my col
league and l instituted careful, and, ]
might say, cunning inquiries, for these
willy fellows are difficult to track. We
have been unable to come upon the
two individuals themselves; but aftel
interchangeable efforts from roundabout
source~-a woman as usual at the bot
tom of tive have learned that they
intend forcing Marsden & Rylotty'i
bank tonight, and leaving by the boa
express tomorrow for the Continent.
1af