The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-05
THE OPERATIONS .
OF SHIFTY SIMMONS
AT PEAPACK. .
A LITTLE STORY OF THE
FARMER AND THE FAKIR.
-SAe-
-STS-

eating delights. The tents had been
erected under the joint criticism of tile
entire male population of Peapack, and
the stimulating odor of the meragerie
filled the place.
In one corner of the circus field
Shifty Simmons, the Philanthropist
was busily engaged in doing good. This
worthy man was giving away gold
watches. At first the suspicious citi-
zens of Peapack regarded the thing
with a cold and calculating eye. Phi
lanthropy seemed to be a drug on the
market. Then four watches We're sold
for dollar each to four well-known
Peapackers and a two-dollar bill was
found in the back of each case. There
upon the intelligent citizens of Pea.
pack frightened up. They took more
interest in this affair.
Shifty Simmons took four other
watches and surreptitiously tucked a
twenty-dollar bill ia the back of the
case of each. The quick sighted Pea.
packers were on. After spirited bid
ding old Anladee Pierson bought one
Of the watches for $40. He opened
the back case with an exceedingly
fond expression of coun1eDance. This
expression suddenly disappeared, and
he looked at Shifty Simmons with an
intensity which made even that hard
ened sinner shudder
The case was empty!
In all the various phenomena of ma.
ture there IS nothing more tantalizing
than to observe vacuous locking
space where coin Of the realm is conf.
IDENTITY expected to be found.
In front Of the First National Bank
of Peapack the street was deserted. II
seemed as though every one was at
tending the afternoon session of the
circus. And yet inside the bank a per,
formance was going on which was no:
without merit The actors We're three
capable looking gentlemen who were
doing clever tricks with the safe. The
audience consisted Of the bank watch.
man, who lay on his back in an indo.
lent attitude. This watchman was
bound and gagged in such an artistic
manner that be was unable either to
applaud or to exhibit any signs Of the
dlsapproval which at times seemed tc
be yelling up within him.
Two hours later tho cashier entered
He was softly and happily footing in
peaceful emulation Of the steam cali
ope. His eyes fell upon the watchman
The footing stopped. They exchanged
asonizing glances. The cashier ran to
the vault. The door opened readily al
his touch and showed certain unmls
taxable vacancies within. The cashier
at once resumed his footing, but al
expert musician might have observed
Shat the tune was now pitched in quite
different key.
In a few minutes all Peapack knew
that the bank had been robbed of $50,
600. A bank robbery and 4 circus ir
one day! The town had never seer
such metropolitan excitement. The
watchman became the oracle of the
hour. His story gradually accumulated
additional details about the fight he
had put up before lie was overpow.
cred. but his conclusion was always
the same:
And then tie little man who limped
stuffed all the money in a greer
satchel and out he skipped"
In the office OF the bank the cashier
was bitterly cursing the fate that hal
led him to make up deficiency of $500
III his cash account the day before.
Night had come. Shifty Simmons
tired out with his philanthropic Ia bors
slowly walked up Main street to the
hotel which he was gracing with his
presence. 4 low whistle sounded Sim
mons stopped and looked around Will
ready apprehension. He had philan
thropic funds in his pockets Through
the darkness he perceived q short mai
carrying satchel and limping around
bIlS va ASA. - $40 SllhlSu 1Ol {
moment Oh the satchel. 1t was green
Shifty Simmons gave stage start ant
followed His air was determined. III
seemed 10 be saying "Sh-sh' to him
self.
The short man limpcd through the
town and out into the country. After
an hours walk he jumped over 4 fence
and ran nimbly over q freshly plowet
field. Shifty laboriously followed
keeping close to fringe Of trees tha
bordered the field. The short man Wen
10 little tool house and obtained {
shovel, with which he dug deep hole
He then opened the satchel. Shifty
saw him abstract few yellow backed
bills, leaving the rest of the contents
He then placed the satchel in the h2le
carefully covered it I'D out the shnve