Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-05-30
THE BANK ROBBERY.

I :
of an enormous shortage in the accounts
of thaasw Of the United National
| - ssssf everybody was talking about
| the great robbery" and wondering
whether the defaulter would get away OF
not Charlie was particularly interested
in the matter for he was himself cashier
in a bank the Imperial
| ''NoW. it seems 10 me- he sOliloquiZed,
as he gazed abruptly out OF the opposite
window at the passing shop fronts, 1T
| seems to me that if a chap was only
smart enough he could do it. Why, it
would be almost the easiest thing out ii
| he and the teller-thc receiving could
90 it hand-and glove together. But they
| are always caught sooner or later; the
chaps that try it aren't smart enough by
hall"
And his tloughts came back to the
case in hand He soon found himself
wondering which direction the runaway
had taken, and specializing upon the
| quickest and safest route to foreign ter
| ritory. 1t IS an exciting thing, a race
against time, telegraph, and the officers
If the law. The manner and means of
it are fascinating topics for thought,
especially for jInk cashiers. Charlie was
still musng upon The thing as he alight
ed from the train and entered the bank
\ few moments afterward. Fred Allen.
the receiving teller, came in and, laying
upon a chair the bank robbery" extra
which he had been reading. went to his
desk. Charlie opened the safe, arranged
his cash. and the business of the day
began.
1t was a weary day for every one in
the bank. There was not much business
and things were slow, vii hout any
chance OF relief by conversation. Alone.
practically, with little to do and no one
to talk to, Charlie thought often OF the
defalcation at the National bank. He
pictured to himself all the fine things
that could he done with 5000. There
were a carriage ald horses. the opera.
the theater. fine clothes, high living
ard 10 work. Decidedly a fine prospect
for any reasonable being. Charlie ampli-
fed the idea, divided it. and imagined
each part to himself in detail 1t was as
pleasant n way as any of passing the
time which hung with Unusual heaviness
upon him. And surely there could not be
the slightest harm in thinking
When he grew tired of this, which was
him, and at the various employees Of the
bank. We're they honest? Could they
all be trusted? He ran over the whole
list in his mind, weighing carefully in
each case the evidence pro and con, till
he came to Fred Allen. At the thought
of him his mind reverted to his idea of
the early morning. 1t would be 50 easy
for receiving teller and a cashier work
ing together to do" the bank He
smiled and laughed softly to himself as
he carried the thing out mentally.
An impatient customer raped sharply
upon the glass before the desk Charlie
started violently, recovered himself and
attended to tine customers business.
After that calls were more frequent and
things went along more briskly
At last banking hours drew to a close,
the books were settled for the day; the
safes were securely locked, and Charlie
and his companions were free until to-
morrow morning.
As soon as duties were over Charlie
joined Fred Allen on the pavement II
was their daily custom to walk for a few
minutes in the park before going home.
This evening they walked along for some
tine in silence; neither seemed to know
Just how to breach the subject which was
uppcrmost in their minds-for they both
We're thinking about the same thing.
The chance remark of Il passerby which
reached their ears got them started. how
ever. and soon they We're fairly launched
in the discussion.
1t is a sure thing; no one ever could
discover it," said Charlie.
True returned Allen. the way YOU
put IT, IT does seem pretty safe. But il
we fail3"
The cashier shrugged his shoulders and
coughed slightly
III we could de il and succeed.
though" continued Allen; 1T would bc
great, simply great" His eyes shone
bright with the idea, "BeSides.' he went
on, with u change of tone, its only Il
couple of days since Mile was complain
ing again about our being poor Poor
girl | know it must be hard on her,
living like we do after what She was
used to once. More money would make
things easier for her. Perhaps Your
scheme Is worth trying after all. Charlie"
And in case we find ourselves in dan
ger of discovery, why. there is flight. |
have it all planned out"
''''l'AS htN II WI Rit tl the DbntneS,
they talked it over. When they arose
evening had already come, and it was
growing dark rapidly
80 late already" exclaimed Allen.
looking around, Il must hurry or Mile
will think something has happened to
me"
Il am dining in the West End tonight
and going to the theater after" said
Morton. To celebrate he added, with
forced laugh
Laughing harshly in return and nod
ding Allen went away.
Having dined Charlie strolled aimless,
" up and down one street after another,
for he felt most strangely unlike celc,
brating. Somehow it was different from
what he had thought it would be, this
having determined to be dishonest. H.
felt restless and uncomfortable ard
weak
Il need a braeer," he muttered. and
Sutlng the action to the word, he crossed
the street and entered saloon at the
| ppuO~lfa ppVupr &tropr., q, -,.- Al