The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-13
AN HONEST BANKER.
rBv NJ. Quad.l


was treasurer of a New Mexican
mine although a young man, ana JONI
Drew was a private banker II s4Io
nearest town Ny liking for ire pailHeI
vas returned. He gave me the a1Vice
"A father would give and has 'rleftdship
AID f-,terest were so marked Is TO at
trace general attention and prove OF me
greatest benefit to me in SOCIAL ahu
fnaHcial WY
ari her child went east to be 5one Tor
a couple of months. Within Few days
thereafter the banker began talking 70
me about taking a fortnight's vacation;
1t was finally arranged that we shoulu
go up into the Taos mountains 10 nSn
and hunt and have a good time general
"; but. to my surprise after we nad
made our plans Mr.. Drew said to me:
Il shall leave the bank in charge oil
Mr.. Williams. the bookkeeDer, anu
everything will go on as usual, put II
will be wiser not to mention the matter
of my going. need a vacation put
people have an idea that a banker ought
to stick right by the shop. If 1t IS known
that I am going. there VIII pc more VI
less gossip, which l wish 10 avoid
I cleared up everything at the ONCE
on a Saturday gave my substitute full
instructions and banked ABOUT S5UOV IN
Ereenbacks. Darkness was coming on
as we left town. and the streets were
pretty we'll deserted, and in getting out
We did not pass any one who saluted
us. The banker held the reins. and we
rode fully fifteen miles over the moonlt
road before turning of and going INTO
camp for the night.
At daylight next morning I saw the
contents of the wagon for the first time,
and there was cause for wonder. Ihere
were two blankets. two baskets OF 1Ood
and two rifles but no tent and no fish
Ing outfit. while the only cooking utensil
was a tin conee3ot. There was one
other article in the wagon. 1t was a
large. old shiOned satchel and 1t was
full to bursting and had two straps
buckled around II so that it could be
carried as a naosack. We ate our
breakfast N silence. and then Drew
abruptly said.
4 am about to explain matters to
you. DO you know what that satchel
'0 Ne
'Money-greenbacks, gold. over $780,
600 in all. I have robbed my own bank,
and am leaving home, family and coun--
try forever I have been planning this
thing for years
I was dumb with establishment. and
without looking UP or changing his
tones he continued:
This vacation is only a blind I left
on Saturday night so as to get a long
start I brought you along because I
wanted company in the wilderness. It
IS ? matter of 300 miles from here to FL
Paso, with hard and dangerous travelling,
and you are to go with me-
] sat and stared at him and wondered
If it were not all a dream. He had spoken
very seriously, but I could not credit him
! was about to say so when he turned
full upon me. md then I knew the worst
The man was insane His eyes were rest
less and fierce. his hand trembled and his
facial expression had undergone a Won
derful change. He sat thus for a minute
then "A look of deceit ana cunning came
into his face and he laughed and ex-
claimed.
Don't look so sober my boy! I've rob-
bed only the rich, who won't feel the loss
and I'll go halves with you. Wen go
out of the country. and I'll send for my
family. and we'll have a glorious time
Come. let's be moving"
Under his direction | removed every
thing from the wagon, placed the har-
ness in it and then drew it over the fire
The horse had probably been turned
loose, as l saw his tracks later on. When
the wagon was well afire, the banker
loaded his rifle motioned me to do the
same and then lifted the satchel on my
shoulders and made it fast He took bas-
kets and blankets. and we set off for the
mountains.