The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1901-05-31

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tleman. who was at that time connected
with me in buslness-he's met with re-
verses since and at present isn't able to
go out--was looking around for a job,
being at the time rather hard up, as
you might say. We struck a small
country town. amt going to give 1t
away by telling where 1t was or what
the name of it was. There was one
bank there. The president was a rich
old duffer; owned the mills, owned the
bank, owned most of the town. There
wasn't no other officer but the cashier,
and they had boy who used to sweep
out and run errands.
The door was chilled iron, about the
neatest stuff ever worked on. l went
on steady enough; only stopped when
Jim which, as | said, wasn't his real
name -whistled outside, the watchman
toddled by. BY and by, when I'd got
pretty near enough, l heard Jim-so to
speak-whistle again. l stopped, and
pretty soon l heard footsteps outside,
and I'm blowed If they didn't come
right up the bank steps, and l heard a
key In the lock I was so dumbfound-
ed when l heard that that you could
have slipped the bracelets right on me.
| picked up my lantern, and I'll be
hanged If didn't let the slide slip down
and throw the light right on to the
door, and there was the president. In
stead of calling for help, as l supposed
he would, he took step inside the door
and shaded his eyes with his hand and
looked at me. l knowed l ought to
knock him down and cut out. but I'm
blest IL l could, was that surprised.
who are you" says he.
"Who are your says 1, thinking that
was an innocent remark as he COM
menced it and a-trying all the time to
collect myself.
I'm the president of the bank" says
he, kinder short; something the mat
ter with the lock?"
By George, the idea came to me thenl
"Yes, SIR" says I, touching my cap.
'Mr. Jennings, he telegraphed this
morning as the lock was out of order
and he couldn't get In, and I'm come
on to open 1t for him."
Il told Jennings a week ago." says
he, that he ought to get the lock fixed.
Where is hep
He's been a-writing letters, and he's
gone up to his house to get another
letter he wanted for to answer"
well why don't you go right on?'
says he.
"I've got almost through?' says L,
"and l didn't want to finish up and
open the vault till there was somebody
here"
That's very creditable to you," says
he, "a very proper sentiment, my man.
You can't" he goes on, coming round
by the door, "be too particular about
avoiding the very suspicion of evil"
mo, sir" says l, kinder modest like.
What do you suppose is the matter
with the lock?" says he.
81 don't rightly know yet" says 1,
"but | rather think it's little on ac-
count of not being oiled enough. These
ere locks ought to be oiled about once
year"
"Well," says he, "you might as well
go right on, now l am here. will stay
till Jennings comes. Can't l help you
hold your lantern, or something of
that sortf"
The thought came to me like flash,
and ! turned around and says:
'How do l know you're the presi-
dent? l amt ever seen you afore, and
you may be a-trying to crack this bank
for all | know" {.
That's very proper inquiry, my
man." says he, ''and shows most re-
+, markable degree Of discretion. l con-
fess that should not have thought of
the position in which l was placing you.
However, l can easily convince you