The Penn's Grove record., 1896-10-16
A SAFE" AFFAIR.

Philip Marsden, senior partner OF
Marsden Il Rylotty, bankers, sat alone
one evening in his counting house. The
season bad been a very prosperous one.
for much money had changed hands
through the unsettled state of the pub
lie mind. oceasIoned by bank failures
and the explosions of public companies,
but Marsden 4 Rylotty's bank had
stood mistaken, for 1t was conducted
upon a sound financial basis, with a
large capital, and had become quite an
old-establlshed 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 m hour or so of late
TO glance through the transactions OF
the day carefully and quietly. 1t was
perhaps a little indlscreet so 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 fire.
Quently enjOlued him to avoid mental
or physical exertion, 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 1t, too.
while admitting that his intellect was
not so keen, his Judgment and dlscrimi.
mating faculties not quite so clear. nor
his strength what 1t was some forty
years back. He had been n master
hnancier In his early days at the bank.
conjuring with monetary problems as
boys do with marbles, and giving the
strlctest 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, a%rtifice and care.
Marsden was a dear old gentleman,
genial, happy, and exceedingly kind TO
the stan 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 10 depart when a
knock at the side door of the Office de-
manded his attention Upon opening
the door a police sergeant and two stall
wart officers in plain clothes confront
ed him.
You are Mr.. Marsden, I believe, sir,
the head Of the bank?' Inquired the
sergeant In an anxious ~undertone.
That Is o l am Mr.. Marsden."
81 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 nigh,
they bel" asked the banker, turning
on his heel.
Two detective officers engaged upon
their duty" replied the sergeant, and
the trio Wee quickly ushered into the
private sanctum Of the banker.
u am staying rather later than usua'
tonight; 1t is fortunate l had not gone
VERY fortunate, for our visit con
Germs you most seriously"
"lndeed..' said Mr.. Philip. onenins bi,
eyes widely and popping his gold-rim
med s~pectacles up on his forehead,
Eyes, sir, from Information which hal
come into Ii possession, and which
must ask you in the interests of publ,
Justice not to dlvulge. but to afford u
what assistance you can, | have to in
form you that a daring robbery Is con
templated upon your bank tonight"
Never" said MI. Marsden, startlnI
aghast. why, these premises ar
proof against anything"
you may think SO; bnt yoa don
know these men. To sc late the mai
ter, sir, 1t came about in this way: W
were on the scent Of a notorious littl
gang of three expert bank robbers an
s~afe-breakers a short time since. an
thorough smart fellows, too. But, III
fortunately, we only succeeded In rur
Mug Il to enrth-the others elude
us. The prisoner was convicted an
1optappad 70 con uaorsi oanol ,o,nl@,a
but, like similar cases we have know
It subsequently, came to his knowleda
that his confcdcrates had since his II
generation not acted up to their prom
ise in making provision for his age
mother out of their ill-gctten gains, $
be, in a spirit of revenge, peached upo
them, and furnished us with full In
formation concerning their wherC
Rbouts and future intentions. FTor
this point these two other officers ca
explain than l."
Great heavens! you astound NE!
said the aged banker, who became ful
Their agitated.
"Do not alarm yourself, sir; they wi
fall into their own trap. rest assured,
continued one Of the detectives. takin
Up the thread of the narrative. "Yei
on the statement made by tn
'rlsoncr, my colleague and l institute
areful and, | might say, cunning IL
for these willy fellows are diff
UT to track. We have been unabl
0 come upon the two individuals them
eiSes but after interchangeable effort
ON q roundabout eourse-a woman
! usual, being al tho bottom of it
y nave learned that they Intend fore
ra Snsden \ Rylotty's bank tonight
aarsins ny the boat express to
.s rs for the c~ontlneut.n
ne scoundreis."
y o. WIN lust be deceived, slr
ocratic Pnh' . ask yeu