Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-26
WHAT HAPPENED TO
~ THE BULLION-BOX -
the Indian
Saharunpore, N.W.P, India.


Mr.. Hope Kavanagh, the District Superin-
tendent of Police at Saharunpore. 1t de-
scribes how a native banker resorted to
deception in order to safeguard case OF
bullion which he was sending by rail to
customer, and how by clever trick the
contents of the box were stolen en- route,
the unhappy banker being precluded from
prosecuting the thieves, although they were
discovered, through the possibility of
being involved in severe penalties himself
"HE firm of Bhugwandass, Jey-
I'll kissen, Singh & Co., bankers
j. and merchants, Of Kangri,
was one of the wealthiest
concerns in Upper India. With far
reaching connection all over the penin-
sula-and even farther-old Bhugwan-
dass, the principal, was wont to boast
that his signature stood equally good
IN London as in Lahore, and that he
could give you hoondee (olCsr) which
would be honored with the same
promptitude in Chicago as in Calcutta.
Among the employees Of the firm was
a certain Thotaram, the son Of a for
mer client. Failing at the entrance ex-
animation for the subordinate Civil
Service he had been taken on by Bhug-
wandass as an English writer. At the
time referred to in this story Thota-
ram had been some ten years in the
firms employ, and for a mere copyist
he had risen, through undoubted merit
and perseverance, to the comparatively
responsible post Of confidential clerk
to the managing partner.
Now, while we must suppose that
Thotaram had during his career been
subject to temptations, the equal in
ference Is that he had hitherto sue
Ceeded in withstanding all assaults on
his moral rectitude. Anyhow, up to
the period 1 am writing of the mans
record was clean, and he was looked
on by all, from Bhugwandass down
ward, as the exemplification of unim-
peachable integrity. He had worked
himself into the good graces of his pa
tron; he was ever willing, hard-work-
ing and ready to please. Often, when
others had cleared out at the recog-
nized closing time, Thotaram would be
found somewhere about, prepared to
do anything that might be wanted
from igniting Bhugwandass's hookah
and placing it before him to drawing
up promissory note, unlocking the
strong room, and counting out 1000 ru-
pees or so for some belated borrower.
One day the bank had occasion to
send consignment of bar silver to a
correspondent named Pusa, gold and
Silver smith residing near the small
town Of Magma, distant about three
hours journey by rail. The bullion,
valued at 1000 rupees, after being duly
weighed by Thotaram, was packed
and nailed down by him in a stout deal
box-all under Bhugwandass's imme-
diate supervision-and the case was
then deposited on the floor close to the
principals desk. At noon, when most
of the employees left the building for
the usual lunch hour, Bhugwandass
signed to Thotaram to remain. When
the office had emptied the old man
called the clerk to him and said, in the
vernacular: did you hear Of that case
about box Of sovereigns being broken
into during transit by rail between
Agra and Bombay?"
"Yes. SIR" replied Thotaram, in the
same tongue, II read an account of II
In the Amrita."
"Well," continued the principal, sink
Ing his voice to whisper, I'VE must
avoid running any such risk, | have
got good idea. Take some black paint
and address that case of bar silver ia
Pusa, Soonar, Soonari Bazaar. Naci.
ma
The clerk did as he was ordered.
Now, above the address. write 'Old
Nails in large letters fill In the con.
slgnment note in the same manner. and
go yourself to book the box at the rail
way station. See that the weight tai
lies with ours, and do not talk to the
railway people about the case. Take il
carelessly in bullock cart with you
and go quite alone, so as to cause nc
suspicion as to the valuable nature OF
Its contents"
Thotaram carried out these ,nstruc
tions to the letter. On his return to tn,
kothi (banli) he sought out Bhugwan
dass and handed him the consignment
note. He ended up by asking for ,
weeks leave, to proceed to his nativ,
place near Bareilly. After transactin,
his errand at the goods shed he hat
strayed, he said on to the passenge
platform, and among the travellers in
train that happened TO arrive he met
fellow-townsman, who had Informed
him of his uncles serious illness; |
was for the purpose OF visiting this re!