Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-03

and he couldn't get in, and Pm come
on to open 1t for him."
Il told Jennings week ago." says
he, that he ought to get that 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"
"Well, why don't you go right on?"
says he.
"I've got almost through" says 1,
land l didn't want to finish up and
open the vault till there was somebody
here"
That's very ereditable 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.
II don't rightly know yet" says 1;
but l rather think it's a little wore
on account 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 I'm here; l will stay
| till Jennings comes. Can't help you
hold your lantern, or something of
that sort?'
The thought came to me like a flash,
and turned around and says:
How do l know you're the Presi-
dent? amt ever seen you afore, and
you may be a-trying to crack this
bank, for all know"
That's a very proper inquiry, nv
man." says he, "and shows a most re-
markable degree of discretion. 1 con-
fess that should not have thought of
tie position in which 1 was placing
you. However, 1 can easily convince
you that it's all right. Do you know
what the Presidents name is?"
NO. don't" says 1, 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.
L suppose that I ought to have gone
right on then, but was beginning to
feel interested in making him prove
who he was, so l says:
You might have got them letters to
put up a job ON me-"
You're very honest man." saws he:
"one among a thousand Don't think
I'm at all offended at your persistence.
No, my good fellow, I like it, 1 like it,"
and he laid his hand on my shoulder.
Now, here" says he, taking a bundle
out Of his pocket, is package of StO,-
600 in bonds. A burglar wouldn't be
apt to carry those around with him,
would he? [ bought them in the CITY
yesterday, and l 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 l would willingly leave them in
your hands for safe keeping. You
needn't blush at my praise"
l suppose did turn sorter red when
see them bonds.
Are you satisfied now?" says he.
L told him | was thoroughly, and so
| was. So l picked up my drill again.
and gave him the lantern to hold so
that l could see the door. heard
Jim, as l call him, outside once or
twice, and I like to have burst out
laughing, thinking how he must be
wondering what was going on inside
| worked away and kept explaining to
him what l was a-trying to do. He
was very much interested in mechan-
les, he said and knowed as l was a
man as was up in my business by the
way l went to work. He asked me
about what wages l got, and how l
liked my business, and said he took
quite fancy to me. l turned round
once In while and looked at him
a-setting up there as solemn as a billed
owl, with my dark lantern in his
blessed hand, and I'm blamed if l
didn't think l should have to holler
right out.
l got through the lock pretty soon
and put in my wire and opened it. Then
he took hold of the door and opened the
vault.
IL put my bonds in,' says he, "and
80 home. You can lock up and wait
till Mr. Jennings comes. 1 don't sup.
pose you will try to fix the lock to-
night"
told him I shouldn't do anything
more with it now, as we could get in
before morning
well, I'll bid you goodnight, my
man. says he, as 1 swung the door to
again.
Just then I heard jim, by name.
whistle, and 1 guessed the watchman
was a-coming up the street.
"Ah," says I, you might speak to the
watchman, If you see him. and tell him
to keep an extra lookout tonight"
II WILL" says he, and we both went
to the front door.
"There comes the watchman up the