The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-03

Wuo tuo unhICih INSTITUTION Oh fdrk COun-
ty, Its stockholders included all the best
business men of the town and number
of leading farmers, and the standing Of
the institution was all that could be de-
sired There Is always an odd sheep I'm
every town, and In Parkville the odd sheep
was Uncle Billy Edwards. Not once In
year did any one mention his last name.
1t was always Uncle Billy" and he was
evcrybodys friend and nobody's enemy.
At the time tho bank was organized he
was "a man 30 years old He was simple
minded, lived with a relative and picked
up quarter now and then by doing an
odd job. Some ore told Uncle Billy about
the bank, and he straightway sought an
Interview with the man who was 10 be
president. In spirit of fun the latter APP
pointed him the First National bank ex-
traordinary burglar catcher and promised
him "a salary Of $40 per year The old man
was delighted, and the bank had not yet
opened for business when he armed him
self with a club and paraded the streets for
several hours each night. Every one
laughed at him, and yet he was SO good
naturcd and so jealous that no one hurt
his feelings. After awhile he ceased TO act
rs a night hawk, but he was "on deck"
all day long and became sort of fixture
at the bank.
They had lots Of fun over Uncle Billy's
stories Of the suspicious characters he had
seen sneaking about and Of the bank bur-
glars who had tried 10 bluff him or run
him off, and no one was jealous of him
except the regular night watchman. About
four nights "a week Uncle Billy would slip
out of his bed at midnight and walk half a
mile TO knock on the front door of the bank
and satisfy himself that the watchman was
awake. He was chased away time after
time, with missiles following him as he
fed, but he reappearcd after a night or
two and was not TO be got rid Of One day
when the bank had been open about eight
months two strangers drove up i'm a bug
gy at noon. Only the paying teller and
the bookkccpcr were In their places The
teller was called out to talk 20 the man in
the buggy, while the second one engaged
the bookkecper in conversation. Then a
third man sncaked In 10 rob the open safe,
and be would surely have made Il big haul
but for the presence OF Uncle Billy, who
stuck close 10 his elbow and gave him no
chance. 1t was not known for year that
the thing was put up job and that but
for the cid man the $40, 600 lying I'm the
safe would have been deftly abstractcd.
Uncle Billy had dim suspicion that n
plot had been hatched. but as nothing had
been taken his talk Of how he watched the
stranger was put down with the rest Of his
vaporing.
As is the case with most country banks,
the building was two stories high, with
the second story finished off for offices.
There were six or seven rooms, and for the
first year these wero rented out 10 local
lawyers. AT tho end Of the year the party
naving the rooms over the vaults moved
-. I a IN. r..
months, they were rented TO White a.
Gregg. insurance and real estate agents,
who came TO parkville from Philadelphia
well recommended. Both claimed to be
married men, but neither brought his
family. They wero going 10 try IL first for
a few months. Their first move was 10
deposit 5000 in the bank and box of
bonds and valuable papers Their next
was to invest in 20 vacant city lots and to
take 81 900 worth OF stock in u woolen
mill, then building. In these and other
ways they made themselves solid with the
business men OF the town, and tho public
a. largo looked upon them as valuable ac-
QUESTIONS 20 the community.
Unclo Billy, in addition To being the
extraordinary burglar dotector, Z" carried
up the fuel end swept out the offices for
the lawyers, and when White e. Gregg
took possession he did not lose his job.
They soon came To understand him, and
he was allowed TO come and 40 mt will,
though be was never In the way when not
wantod He was enthusiastic in their
praise FOR the first three months, as they
paid him literally. hut one day, in whis-
pered tones and with mn mir of mystery
about him, he asked for private inter
Wow with the president OF the bank. When
this had bcon laughingly granted, he said;
MIR. Davis, / am not sure about those
men, White q Gregg. j shouldn't wonder
If they intend 70 rob our bank"
"How will they do IT." asked the amused
official
by cutting through the floor and the
vault.
But the roof Of the vault is Of brick
and two fect thick f"
"Well, think they are going TO try It,
They have a snw, n crOvbar, slcdge ham
mer amt other tools in closet up stairs.
I'm going 10 keep an eye on en-"
Hc was encouraged 10 do so, but so tri-
cling did the president consider the Incl
dcnt that no did nUt speak Of II TO any one,
and in half an hour had forgotten all
about IT, Not so with Uncle Billy, how
>ver. On two occasions he was sent TO tho
express office 10y White & Gregg and
pfOuEnJ lIlCln sNluil puJ HchNy IurCClS.
Two or three times also he saw stranger
al their Office whose looks he did not like
and whom he set down for a conspirator
for the first two months the two men,
Who boarded at the hotel, never returned
60 their office after supper. After that they
were frequently there for an hour or two
and as tine passed on they stad later
Uncle Billy watched all these things, but
kept his own counsel for many weeks
One day he again asked for n private in
terview, ard when tho president began
laughing al him he said:
:" IL won't be long now before they will
Ry TO rob the bank. They have got al th
$ools they need, and today found Gatchel
e. put the money I'm. A"
So you think they arc bank robbcrsS"
was asked.
II am sure Of t. Last night they werc
In the back room till / o'clock, and they
wPald not let mo go in there today.
gu'ss they have cut hole in the floor. "