Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-04-25

ER Some years ago
me and the gen.
tleman who was at that time connected
with me in business-he's met with re-
verses since and at present isn't able to
so Out--was looking around for II 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 it was or what
the name of it was There was one
bank there. The president was rich
old dutfer; owned the mills. owned the
bank, owned most of the town. There
wasn't no other officer but the cashier.
and they had Il boy who used to sweep
out and run errands.
The door was chilled iron, about the
neatest stuff | ever worked Oh. | went
on steady enough; only stopped when
Jim which, as l said, wasn't his real
name-whistled outside, the Waterman
toddled by. by and by when Id got
pretty n0ar enough, heard Jim-sO to
spcak-whistle again. stopped, and
pretty soon | heard footsteps outside,
and I'm bowed if they didn't come
right up the bank steps. and | heard a
key in the lock. was so dumbfound-
cd 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 OH 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 Mt me. | knowed | ought to
knock him down and cut out. but I'm
blest If could, was that surprised.
''Who are you?" says he.
''Who are youY" says l, 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 lOcky'
BY George. the idea came to me then!
''Yes, sir" says |, touching my cap
"Nr. Jennings, he telegraphed this
and he couldn't get in, aud I'm come
on to open it for him."
II told Jennings week ago." says
he, that he ought to get the lock fixed.
Where is he!"
Hes been a-writing letters. and he's
gone up to his house to get another
letter he wanted for to answer"
0,s
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
lie. "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 l,
but | rather think it's little on &C.
count of not being oiled enough. These
ERE locks ought to be oiled about once
year."
"Well." says he. you might rs 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 fash.
and turned around and says:
"HoW do | know you're the presi-
dent? l amt ever seen you afore, and
you may be a-trying to crack this bank
for all l know"
"Tnt's very proper inquiry. my
man." says he. land shows most re-
markable degree Of discretion. 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 |, sorter surly.
well you'll find it 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 ought have gone right on
then, but l was beginning to feel inter.
ested in making him prove who he
was. SO says:
You might have got them letters to
put up job on me-"
you're very honest man." says he