The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-10-09
A SAFE" AFFAIR.

Pnilip MarSden, senior partner OF
Marsden & Rylotty, bankers, sat alone
one evening in his counting house. The
season had been very 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 companies,
but Marsden Il Rylotty's bank had
stood mistaken, for it was conducted
upon sound financial basis, with a
large capital, and had become quite an
old-established institution.
In consequence Of the aforesaid fall
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 of
the day carefully and quietly. 1t was
perhaps little indiscreet so far as his
health was concerned. for Philip was
travelling toward the ''sundown' Of
life, having passed his three score years
and ten. His medical adviser had fire.
quently enjoined him to avoid mental
or physical exertion, but when the
banker laughed and pooh-poohed the
idea the doctor, with 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 discrimi-
mating faculties not quite so clear, nor
his strength what it was some forty
years back. He had been a master
fnancier in his early days at the bank,
conjuring with monetary problems as
boys do with marbles. and giving the
strictest attention to the work and to
the secure custody of the documents
and cash within its walls. Some very
ingenious devices In the construction of
the building and its rooms were attrib-
utable 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 very let
ter, knowing the esteem in which their
services were held and substantially
recognized.
The moments wore on, and Mr.. Mars
den with a yawn, rose from his seat,
and was just about to depart when a
knock at the side door Of the office de-
manded his attention. Upon opening
the door police sergeant and two stall
wart officers In plain clothes confront
ed him.
"You are Mr.. Marsden, believe, sir,
the head of the bankY inquired the
sergeant In an anxious undertone.
That is so. l am Mr.. Marsden."
Il have some most important evi-
denee 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.
1.-TWO detective officers engaged 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; 1t Is fortunate had not gone. -
very fortunate, for our visit con-
Germs you most seriously"
"lndeedT' said Mr.. Philip, opening his
eyes widely and popping his gold-rim-
med spectacles up ON his forehead.
"Yes. sir. from information which has
come into our possession, and which
must ask you in the interests of public
justice not to divulge, but to afford US
what assistance you can, l have to in
form you that daring robbery Is con-
templated upon your bank tonight"
Never" 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
We're on the scent of notorious little
gang of three expert bank robbers and
safe-brea kers short time since, and
thorough smart fellows, too. But. un-
fortunately, we only succeeded in run
ming one to earth-the others eluded
us. The prisoner was convicted and
sentenced to ten years penal servltude;
but, like similar cases we have known,
1t subsequently came to his knowledge
that his confederates had since his In
carceratlon not acted up to their prom
ise in making provision for his aged
mother out of their ili-gc tten 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 heavens! you astound mew
said the aged banker, who became fur
ther agitated.
do not alarm yourself, sir; they will
fall into their own trap, rest assured" :"
continued one of the detectives, taking
up the thread Of the narrative. "Yes,
acting on the statement made by the
prisoner, my colleague and instituted
careful and, | might say, cunning In
quiries, for these willy fellows are diff
cult to track. We have been unable
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