Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-08-27
THE OPERATIONS
OF SHIFTY SIMMONS
AT PEAPACK.
A LITTLE STORY OF THE
FARMER AND THE FAKIR.

.&o&, HE village of Peapack was
Y +" Z radiant. 1t was legal
g 9 holiday and the circus was
= in town. Every one was
= To< there drinking in its intoxi-
eating delights. The tents had been
erected under the joint criticism of the
entire male population Of Peapack, and
the stimulating odor of the menaserie
filed the place..
In one corner of the circus field
shlfty 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 cold and calculating eye. Phi
lanthropy seemed to be drug on the
market. Then four watches were sold
Tor dollar each to four well-known
Peapackers and 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.
ohl1ty Simmons took four other
watches and surreptitiously tucked a
tWenty-dollar bill in the back of the
case OF each. The quick sighted Pea
packers were on. After spirited bid
olns old Amadee Pierson bought one
OF the watches for $40. He opened
The back case with an exceedin gly
1ond expression of countenance. This
expression suddenly disappeared, and
ne looked at Shifty Simmons with an
intensity which made even that hard
ened sinner shudder.
Ihe case was empty!
In all the various phenomena of ma
lure there is nothing more tantalizing
than to observe a vacuous looking
space Where coin of the realm is conf
dently expected to be found.
IN front of the First National Bank
VI Peapack the street was deserted. 1t
seemed as though every one was at
tending the afternoon session Of the
circus. And yet inside the bank a per.
lormance was going on which was not
Without merit. The actors were three
capable looking gentlemen who were
oolns clever tricks with the safe The
audience consisted OF the bank watch
nlan who lay on his back in. an indo
4ent attitude. This watchman was
oound and gagged in such On artist,
"anner that he was liable either tt
applaud or to exhibit any signs of ths
oisapproval which at times seemed t,
oe yelling up within him.
Two hours later the cashier entered
ne was softly and happily footing IL
peaceful emulation of the steam cali
ope. His eyes fell upon the watchma an
Inc footing stopped. They exchanged
dsonlzlng glances. The cashier ran t,
,ne vault. The door opened readily a
nis touch and showed certain unmis
'aAaole vacancies within. The cashie
a. once resumed his footing, but al
eApert musician might have observe,
mat the tune was now pitched in quit
different key.
III a few minutes all Peapack knew
ooa enat the bank had been robbed of $50
WV "A bank robbery and a circus il
one DAY! The town had never see
Nuch metropolitan excitement TIL
,"o'eh1han became the oracle of th
noui. His story gradually accumulate
buuiuonal bu details about the fight b
au put up before he was overpow
+h eu' out his conclusion was alway
The same:
a. ahd then the little man who limpe
s.uned all the money in a gree
"atchel and out he skipped"
- me Office of the bank the cashie
,.a Vas bitterly cursing the fate that ha
i'm in -. niin to make up deficiency of $5C
LIS cash account the day before.
/ Might hoa $780, o,.. ~