The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-08-28
A Swift
 Repentance

termlned to avail myself Of my oppor- NinitIes to rifle the safe and skip out.
 Between the 4th and ilth of septem- her arranged the details for my flight and concluded to work them out on the night of the 18th. On that evening at half past Q the night watchman nos tlfed me that hls wife had died. I eI- cused him from watching that night.
 At ! o'clock I went to the bank, pulled down the shades, lighted the gas and In the course of twenty min utes bad packed every dollar in the vaults Into a satchel provided for the purpose. This satchel ] placed on chair outside the railing and had sat down for smoke when there was rap at the door. knew 1t was one of our force, but hardly expected to see the president himself.
 "I expected lt was you." he said as he entered: always the last to go. You are working too hard and must take a rest. At meeting of the board today 1t was decided to give you months leave and a gift of $500 cash"
 I don't remember what said In re- ply, but do remember that something like horror seized upon me at the Idea of my own baseness. Right here with in reach of his hand was the money ] intended to flee with. and yet be was lavish fin his praise of my Integrity. He remained only a brief time, and soon after his departure went outside to walk about and plan a little. hadn't given up the Idea of robbery and flight, but a still. small voice was whispering to me when a hand was laid on my arm. and turned to con front the lending merchant of the town.
 Look here" he said as we walked along arm In arm. "l'ye always done business with Gleason because found everything all right, but I'm going to begin with you tomorrow. Gleason IS as good as gold himself, but l don't fancy his new cashier. He's high roller, I hear. and some day he may turn up missing with all the poodle he can carry. No fear of that in you case"
 And I had SiO7,OOO all packed ID and wns only waiting for train time to be come a robber.
 "Everybody Is speaking In yom praise" he continued, "and you de serve all that Is said. Just keep leve' head and you'll find the road to honol and wealth."
 When be left me, l had to lean against a dead wall for support. The sound of his footsteps was still in my ears when I suddenly felt that was saved. There had been a terrible strug' gle of conscience, but right had tri- umphed at last. was pulling myself together to return to the bank when woman accosted me by name and said;
 "How lucky happened to see you. I was on my way down to Blacks to see if he wouldn't take charge of this package till tomorrow. It's money ] got only two hours ago-S2,OO0."
 "Come in here, and I'll give you receipt" [
 "Neyer mind that. We all know you and trust you"
 Her parting words gave me a shiver. How little they knew me. l bad one more trial to undergo. Almost at the door of the bank 1 met two business men of high standing who were hold Ing an animated conversation.
 "Heard the newsT queried one as ] came up.
 What is itf'
 "You remember the clerk in my brothers office fin Philadelphia who skipped out two years ago with $3O,' 900? We'll, he's been oyerhauled. He went to Peru, no doubt expecting to have grand times. It seems that every body soon knew he was thief, and he was an object of contempt. He wan dered about, always a marked man, and at last was so overcome with shame and degradation that he asked to be arrested and sent back. He was despised, insulted and plundered, and he did not have one hours solid com fort out of his funds. He will go to prison for ten or fifteen years. and he might as well die then. Say, isn't 1t a curious thing that men will so destroy themselyesY
 "Take your own case." added the oth CT as he placed Q hand on my shoulder. "You are young. but respected. trusted and honored and on the sure road to wealth. You might crib SlOO,OOO from the bank and get away, but would that compensate you for the sacrifice? No. Even a million wouldn't. I tell you, the man who has got to outlaw himself to enjoy his plunder must see days when he would almost give his life to be set back in the position he once held"
 I passed on into the bank and care fully locked the door behind mo. My knees were SO weak that l had to rest for a good twenty minutes. Even my hair was sopping wet with perspira' ton.
 When felt strong enough. carried the satchel to the vault. opened the doors and replaced the money. and it was not until the iron doors were locked again that felt sure had won.
 There would be no watchman that night. had planned 1t SO. I took on my coat, kicked on my shoes and made myself comfortable in an armchair. l did not feel sleepy. but when the day porter came at 2 in the morning to re-