The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-11-10

for the cross-road exhorter to use as
simile, but then-well, 81 knows what
knows"
wish to write down as we'll as can,
the facts which caused me to retire
from my chosen profession. 1t is the
devils own tale though; in fact, two of
them: the tail which he told and his
other tail. Now I am not going to
give away my professional secrets, or
mention any names which might make
trouble for some of my old pals; and
don't you think that l am. 1 only
mean to squeal on the devil, and hate
even to do that, for he used me square
enough.
had just got home from my second
bit and being broke, was naturally
anxious to do stroke of business. The
word had been passed around that
certain out-of-town bank was to have
large sum of money in it's vault at a
certain time. The tip had come in a
very mysterious way which 1 did not
quite like. l thought however, that 1
would go out and look the ground over
and if the job was feasible. located
the bank without any trouble and soon
satisfied myself that the work could be
beaten, but that trouble lay in the get
away. Could we beat it and get into
Boston before the blow? It didn't take
much figuring to see that if we could
pull it off on Saturday night, and no
one visited the bank before l P. NJ. on
Sunday we would have time enough.
Directly across the street from the
bank was the swell church of the town.
My professional instinct noted this ad-
vantage at once, and 1 decided to turn
it to account. Suffice it to say that on
the following Sunday, before daylight,
| was located in the steeple of that
church, where l could keep an eye up.
on the door of the bank opposite.
There was a sermon preached and
hymns sung that morning to which l
did not pay strict attention. 1 had
mission of my own about that time.
and you can bet 1 never took my eyes
off the door of the bank until after 1
p. NJ, at which time knew we could
be under cover at Boston. My object
was accomplished, but as l could not
get train until after midnight, de-
cided to stay where l was, and to take
| 70
couple of hours, when L was aroused
with the vague impression that some
one was practicing knife throwing at
beam just over my head, and burning
sulpher matches under my nose. sat
up and looked around land there, seat
ed upon a coil of bell rope, was-THE
DEVIL leisurely whisking his tail
about and sticking the little spike on
the end into the beam above my head.
knew 1 hadn't been cup against the
pipe" and as never "punch the bottle"
hardly knew how to account for this,
[ thought had call, and right from
headquarters at that. 1 started to go
down for my gun, but the devil smiled
and shook his head, saying: "Never
mind Jack, you are not wanted yet.
suppose you are surprised at seeing me
after so many reports of my death.
Why Jack, l am not dead, am only
hiding in the churches.
| l was much relieved to learn that
my time had not come; and as the old
boy seemed disposed to be sociable, 1
was willing enough to indulge him.
thought if could make good impress
sion it would stand to my credit against
the day of settlement.
remarked casually, that 1 supposed
he had me down in his books for des.
perately hardened rascal, and that
need expect no mercy when my time
does come.
"Why," he replied, "you are not
great rascal. You are only poor GRIM
inal lunatic who doesn't know the first
rudiments of rascality."
This was little CALLING to my pro-
fessional pride, but 1 swallowed it
without contradiction.
"Now," said the devil, "just you come
with me for an hour, and will give
you some points," He swung himself