The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-21

The 0psn Cartlng Of Bullion Periodical Occur
renee In The Big Cily

] saw solid gold TO the amount of over
s1.000.000 being carted through the
crowded London streets in an open wag-
on. 1t was nothing exceptional, either.
The precious cargo was on its way TO
the Bank Of England vaults. and all the
arrangements for its transit were
strictly as usual. This is one OF those
INSIDE" sights of London, known only
TO the few, and rarely observed by an
outsider except by accident, says
writer in the New York Mail and Ex-
press.
had just climbed onto my bus out
side Waterloo Railway station, when
the wagon came numbering by, right
under our noses. A gang of railway
officials followed IL out of the yard, and
one Of their number, whom / knew by
sight, climbed up and sat down by me,
and told me in undertones all about it.
We followed close behind the wagon.
and had a bird s-eye view of IL for some
distance. There were thirty cubical
cases, each containing l47 pounds of
solid gold. A shabby man sat on one
in front and a ragged boy sat on an
other behind.
This. in addition to the driver, was
the only bodyguard to consignment
of specie that would make all twelve
of us on that bus comfortably rich for
life. The shabby man was apparently
armed with nothing except a pair or
keen, glittering eyes. and dirty clay
pipe He rolled the former ana smoked
the latter with ceaseless perslstency,
while the ragged boy stretched himself
in slumber.
Now" thought !. 'is the chance for
gang of nineteenth century Turpins.
Where are they? Why don't they ap-
pear? The chance of a lifetfme!
/ was wrong. however That wagon
rolled sleepily on in the brilliant sun
shine, as safe as though surrounded, SIX
deep. by an escort armed to the teeth.
The thousands who passed hurriedly by
IL on their way cityward. were wholly
unconscious OF the rich prize within
arms length OF them.
They only saw very ordinary rail-
wav van. with ponderous wheels and
struggling tarpaulin. exactly like hum
dreds of Others that daMy made their
noisy way from the goods-yards TO the
city. and from the city 10 the goods
wards. unhonored and unnoticed, except
for an occasional curse at their slow
ness and rattle.
There was something about the cock
sure comfortable attitude of that Keen
eyed man that somehow reused my Ire.
7 longed to whip out a six-shooter. ana
give him an opportunity OF really earn
ing his salary. | looked him over care
fully. but could detect nothing that
looked like a weapon Of offense. Had
Ali his pockets being bulged out with
loaded revolvers, however. he could not
have hooked more unconcerned or less
nervous.
tried the old April-fool dodge about
"loolxing at his off-wheef but beyond
axinr me with his glittering eye and
LeenIng Il there till II died away in the
distancelike scintillating star,he made
no other sign.
This open carting of bullion across
crowded Ion7on is n periodical occur
rence. which has been going on Tor cen
,uries. and seems likely 10 continue Tor
centuries more unless and until some
desneradoes achieve any measure OF
snccess in the ra'ding line. Possibly
y,hen the wagon has been stopped on
ono of the bridges and driver and body
guard pitched into the river. and a rev
20 the cubical cases hurled on TO wait
| Inc launch. the authorities VIII begin 10
soc the desirability Of adopting some
| other method Of conveyance