The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-04-26

AS3ZASS1g6W that's nothing to
9E2 do with my story.
E<&[S Some years ago
me and the gen
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
20 Out-was looking around for job,
being at the time rather hard up, as
you might say. We struck 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. 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, heard Jim-so to
sDeak-whistle again. | stopped, and
pretty soon | heard footsteps outside,
and I'm blowed If they didn't come
right up the bank steps, and | heard
key In the lock. was so dumbfound-
ed when | 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 supposed
he would, he took step inside the door
and shaded his eyes with his hand and
looked at me. knowed | ought to
knock him down and cut out. but I'm
Dlest If could was that surprised.
who are your says he.
who are your says |, thinking that
was an innocent remark as he com
menced 1t 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 then.
Yes, sir" says |, 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."
II told Jennings aweek ago." says
he, that he ought to get the lock fixed.
Where Is hep
He's been a-writlng 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 onY'
says he.
"I've got almost through?" says l.,
and 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"
NO. SIR" says |, kinder modest like.
What do you suppose is the matter
with the lock?" says he.
Il don't rightly know yet" says |,
but | rather think it's little on ac-
count of not being oiled enough. These
ere locks ought to be oiled about once
a year"
We'll" says he, you might as well
go right on, now am here. | will stay
till jennings comes. Can't help you
hold your lantern, or something of
that sort?'
The thought came to me like a fash,
and | turned around and says;
How do | know you're the presi-
dent? amt ever seen you afore, and
you may be a-trylug to crack this bank
for all know"
That's very proper inquiry, my
man." says he, land shows most re-
markable degree of discretion. l con-
fess that should not have thought of
the position in which was placing you.
However, l can easily convince you
that It's all right Do you know what
the presidents name is?'
mo, l don't" says 1, sorter surly.
well, you'll find 1t on that bill," said
he, taking bill out of his pocket. "And
you see the same name on these let
ters," and he took some letters from
his coat.
suppose l ought tGhave gone right on
then, but was beginning to feel inter.
ested In making him prove who be
was, so says:
"You might have got them letters to
put up job on me-"
you're a very honest man." says he
zone among a thousand Don't think
I'm at all offended at your persistence
No. my good fellow, like it, like it,
and he laid his hand on my shoulder
Now. here" says he, taking a bundle
Of his pocket, lis package of $4,000
In bonds. A burglar wouldn't be apt tC
carry these around with him. would
he? bought them in the city yester
day. and | stopped here tonight on
my way home to place them in the
vault and | may add that your simple
and manly honesty has so touched me
that SycWd willingly leave them il
your hands for safe keeping. You
needn't blush at my praise"