Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-04-30

me and the gem
6ieman who was at that time connected
with me in business-he's met with re-
verses since and at present isn't able to
30 out-was looking around for job.
being at the time rather hard up, as
y0u might say. We struck a small
country town. amt going to give it
away by telling where it 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
vFasn't no other officer but the cashier,
and they had a boy who used to sweep
out and run errands.
The door was chilled iron, about the
neatest stuff 1 ever worked on. went
on steady enough; only stopped when
Jim which, as | said, wasn't his real
name-whistled outside, the Waterman
feddled by. By and by when I'd got
pretty near enough, heard Jim-sO to
aspeak-whistIe again. | 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
ed when | heard that that you could
have slipped the bracelets right on me.
I 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 a step inside the door
and shaded his eyes with his hand and
looked at lie. ! knOwed l ought to
knock him down and cut out, but I'm
blest If 1 could, | was that surprised.
WHO are you?" says he.
"Wbo are yOu?" 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
re, kinder short; something the mat
Ter with the lock?"
BY George. the idea came to me them
- IS, sir" says 1, 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 it for him."
II told Jennings a week ago." says
le, that he ought to get the lock fixed.
Where is he?"
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 so right on?"
says he
I've got almost through" says l,
land ] didn't want to finish up and
Elere"
THAT'S very credltable to you" says
Ele, "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.
Il don't rightly know yet" says I.
<'but / rather think it's Il little on ac-
count of not being oiled enough. These
'ere locks ought to be oiled about once
3 year"
We'll" says he. you might as well
go right on. now am here. l will stay
till Jennings comes. Can't l help you
bold your lantern, or something of
that sort?"
The thought came to nue. like 4 flash.
and I 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 l know"
That's a very proper inquiry. my
man." says be, and shows a most re-
vnarkable degree of discretion. l con-
TESS that should not have thought of
she 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?"
''N0, don't" says l. sorter surly.
We'll. you'll find it ON that BILL" said
ne. taking a bill out of his pocket And
you see the same name on these let
aers." aud he took some letters from
mis- coat
] suppose | ought havs gone right on
then, but I was beginning to feel inter
cS1ed in making him prove who he
was. 50 I says:
You might have got them letters to
put UP job on me-"
cone 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 bundle
OF his pocket. Is 4 package Of $4,000
81 bonds. A burglar wouldn't be apt 10
carry these around with him. would
ne? I bought them IN the city yeSter-
day, and l stopped here tonight on
my way home 20 place them in the
vault, and may add that your simple
and manly honesty has so touched NE
shat ! would willingly leave them in
your hands for safe keeping. You
Deedn't blush at my praise"
I suppose did turn sorter red when
So them bonds.
Are you satisfied nOwg'' SAYS he.
I told him / was, thoroughly. and SO
was. So picked up my driu again.
and gave him my lantern to hold so
that could see the door heard Jim.
As I call him. outside once or twice
and I like TO have burst out laughing
1hiRkiRg how he must be wondering
Sxhat was going on inside. worked
away, and kept explaining 70 him what
was a-trying 70 do. He was very
much interested In mechanics. he said.
and be knowed as l was q man as was
60 in my business by che way l went