The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-12-19

jenkins the Gent" he whispered and
sprang back 20 observe the effect.
That's what they used TO call me-"
acknowledged Simmons evenly.
THE celebrated safe breaker:" asked
Nichols.
"Oh, I've had my picture in the pa
pers more than once replied Simmons
with a delightful absence Of pride.
Can | have talk with you alone"
asked Nichols
Simmons led the way into his private
room.
why did you quit the busnessf"
qucried Nichols, when they had moist
cncd the organs after the most ap-
proved manner prescribed by Mr.. Sllas
Wegg.
TOO many certain wires" replied
Simmons bitterly. Got jugged three
times in succession. Thought it time
to quit Bought this place here and
settled down"
Say, now" began Nichols. He
looked around the room hesitatingly
and twiddled his watch chain with
nervous hand Say, now" he relter-
ated, carefully avoiding Slmmons's eye,
IF you saw a good chonce-no wires
or anything like that-would you take
IT."
eco on" said Simmons; I'm inter-
ested."
Say, now" Nichols began again.
He gulped with difficulty, his Adams
apple feeling as big as an orange. 81
know place" He took another
moistener and leaning back in his chair
gazed at Simmons with overnight
eyes. He stimulated again and played
nervOusly with the empty glass.
Banks at Warrington. just the
other side of Jersey City" he went
on. He addressed his remarks softly
to the empty glass I'M his hand. I'm
cashier and I'm in hole" He smiled
gently and licked his burning lips.
Tomorrow night there'll be 100000
in the vaults. I'll have the watchman
fixed and things arranged so that a
good man can easily get at the money.
There should be 100000 by rights,
but I'm short for the difference. You
get in. take the 100000 and the bank
viii think the whole 100000 was
stolen"
lie plunged into other details, gave
map of the bank. the address where
he lived and wound up with almost
fearful entrcaty.
"Will you do itf' he whispered. "Eh?
As favor to me? VIII you do it?
Eh|
"Iil be there" answered Simmons,
rising. "Thercll bc certain prclimin-
AIRY expenses. You'd better leave
$1,000"
1t will he seen thai 10 matter what
part of his studies Nichols pursued
it cost the bank good money. But cX-
perience was in store for the bank,
and experience is always costly. And
the experience of bank indirectly
paying money to be robbed is nov
city, and novelties come high.
After Nichols had left Simmons
philosophlCally crossed his legs and
sat down to figure the thing out. He
leaned back thoughtfully. one hand
caressing his favorte beer mug. the
other thrown over the back of his
chair. His eyes had an introspective
cast. He smiled rehectiyely. Occa.
sionally an after hour reveller would
fling remark at him. Simmons in
answer merely lifted his free hand
with Il gesture for silence and slowly
let ii drop again.
Drop by drop the mud Of argument
yielded the pure water Of true philos.
ophy. which crystallized as it fell into
two lumious ideas:
IA man who will beat the bank
where he works will surely beat a
stranger
2.-Such a man is fair game.
The next day n new boarder look
mp his quarters at Nicholss boarding
house. He arrived shortly after Mich
OILS had left for his days work.
The new boarder was very particular
about his room. and the one over Mich
ols's was the only one that suited him.
The new boarder was given to rheuma-
tism. and a southern exposure was es-
sential lie paid double price for the
room. and the landlady was charmed
with him-so exclusive, so refined and
such beautiful references.
The new boarder had a hobby. What
truly great character has not? The
new boarder's hobby was to play with
n brace and bit. He also had pen
chant He was given to boring holes
in the floor OF his room above the gas
chandelier OF the room below. where
they were quite unnoticeable. He
also had a little failing-inquisitive-
ness. He lay on the floor of his room
Ivy the hour. with his eyes glued TO the
holes he had bored. watching for any
thing that might interest him in Mich
ols's room below.
II Nichols had seen him lying there
he would. with the readers kind per.
mission. have given a correct imita-
tion OF petrihcd man. for the new
boarder was none other than Simmons
the philosopher
At 4 o'clock that afternoon Nichols
entered his rooms. simmons saw him.
Nichols carefully locked his door and
hung a towel over the keyhole. He
then unscrewed the cap Of one of the
posts Of his brass bed. simmons had
his eve on him. Nichols also unscrewed
a little brass plate that gave the post
the appcarauce OF solidty. He then