The Natchitoches enterprise., 1899-02-23
$4,000 IN GOLD.

A perfect stranger walked into the
Sidcup branch OF the London and Mis-
ceIlancous bank and asked to see the
manager.
"Excuee my troubling you," he said,
"but you may be interested to know
that thcre is scherle on foot for the
burglipg Of this bank. AS happened
to be passing, l thought I'd look in and
tell you"
TIE manager, Mr.. Julian Foster, ex-
pressed his skepticism with appropriate
pomposity.
"My dear sir, burglary at the Lon
don and Miscellaneous bank You must
be dreaming!"
81 hope am," replied the other.
"And, if SO, l owe you an apology.
Anyhow, Pm not rounding on any pals,
and I'm not asking money for the infor-
nation. Fact is, Ioyerheard converse
tion that wasn't meant for me in pub
lie hcuse-at least l overheard straps
Of it-and I'm very much mistaken if
the burglary Of your bank wasn't the
leading idea of the dialogue. "
Mr.. Julian Foster, while expressing
his gratitude, poohpoohed the warn
ing. "Still, as said, = the manager
continued, "I'm very much obliged to
you, and, supposin9 it should turn cut
that you have been well informed, the
directors would naturally be very
glad
"Nevor mind about that. I'm not on
the make. l only came and told you be-
cause | thought you'd like to know.
By byl Load up the shotgun and look
outp'
He shook bands and hurried of with
out even troubling to mention his name
and address. and Mr. Julian Foster
leaned back in his chair and turned the
matter over in his mind.
Hump he soliloquized. 81 Won
der"
The Sidcup branch was certainly
easier to rob than most. 1t was situated
in a rev house, the lease Of which had
been bought cheap from stationer
whose business had been unsuccessful.
The safe, which stood in the back par
lor, was Of very simple and ordinary
kind.
On the other hand, the branch was
not, as q rule, worth robbing. 1t did
very littls business, existing mainly for
the purpose of raking in deposits, and
very little in the way of cash or other
negotiable securities wAs ever kept
there.
On the following Wednesday, how
ever. the branch would, for the first
time in its history, be in position to
repay any burglar for his trouble. To
meet the views of particular depositor
in the company promoting business,
who had given notice of withdrawal,
there would be $50, 1000 in the safe.
Mr.. Julian Foster, like most bank
managers, was good at arithmetic, and
he put two and two together.
burglars, be reflected, "like po-
licemen, usually act upon information
received, though heaven only knows
where they get it from If there's any
idea Of breaking into this bank, I think
we may take it that the attempt will
be made while that money is on the
premises. "
That very afternoon he began his
preparations for giving the intrudArs a
warm reception. As soon as banking
hours were over he went up to town
and bought revolver. 1t was weapon
be was used TO, and he practiced suf1-
ciently to satisfy himself that he retain
ed q considerable skill with it. Then,
by degrees his plan Of campaign de-
veloped itself.
"The simplest way, suppose, he
meditated, Hwould be to get the police
to keep an extra lookout on Wednesday,
or might get a special plain clothes
officer down from headquarters. But
where should I come in? The bank
wouldn't give me service of plate,
with promotion to follow, for that, and
I should look pretty fool If 1t turned
ont to be false alarm.
So he took no one into his confidence,
but thought out a scheme.
Wednesday came, and with it came
the messenger from Lothbury with the
goId-$50, OOO-tied up securely in ten
leather bags. He helped Mr.. Foster to
look them away in the safe, ON the in
adequacy of which he commented over
. glass of sherry and a cigarette.
"I'm glad you noticed it, I" the man.
ager replied. "You'll support my ap-
pIication for better one. In the mean
time, however, I've got this. 7"
He brought the six shooter ont Of the
drawer Of the desk and showed that it
was loaded.
Mr.. Foster meditated till dinner
time. He meditated over his chop and
bread and cheese. He went on meditat-
ing over his whisky and water after
ward.
"Gold-yes, there is enough gold
there to stir any mans oupidity-the
7anre eEpeclaiiH. "a gDld can't pe traced.