Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-16

to his temple. lie bewlldering multi
tude of figures which were simmering
In his brain melted away, for he was
looking down the barrel of revolver,
then along the hand which held 1t, and
the arm, until his gray eyes rested on
the face of man. The first glance
had been to the revolver, and he in
.stantly recognized 1t as his own. In
the face of the man who held the re-
,volver he recognized the features Of
George Darlington, lately one Of his
own clerks. He leaned back in his
chair aud sighed heavily, but said
nothing.
You look surprised, Mr.. Butler"
said the burglar, as he stealitnly crept
round the table. But don't be afraid;
l am not going to shoot you unless you
make row."
You have come to rob the Officer"
Eyes, sir; that is my intention. You
have saved me great deal Of trouble
The safe is open, there are securities
there Is money there. l am going to
have them, and l am going to secure
you so that you cannot disturb me-"
Indeed" said the banker, in chill
], tone. "This is desperate enter
prise of yours, Mr.. Darlington"
Mr.. Darlington grinned.
desperate ills require desperate
remedies" he replied. You sacked
me, Mr.. Butler"
The banker pursed his lips. "Quite
true" he said, ~ sacked you"
.For no fault of my own" said the
burglar.
exactly, Mr.. Darlington, for no
fault Of your own. Matter of rednc-
ton of staff, that's all. Somebody had
to go, and 1t fell to your fate"
.That was two months ago, Mr.. But
Ter. Since then you haven't cared how
I've lived, eh?"
The other shrugged his shoulders
somewhat impatiently.
ut is not my business" he said
Then, after pause: $50 you are go
ing to rob the bank, eh?"
..I'm going to ask you to hand out all
the money you've got in the safe.
I'm going to gag you and bind you SO
that you won't create disturbance.
shan't hurt you, Mr.. Butler; don't
fear that"
"oh no." said the banker quickly.
AZ don't fear that you will hurt me;
that is, I don't think l shall sustain
much physical damage at your hands.
1t is the other thing l am thinking
about-the mental hurt"
..They can't blame you," said the
burglar.
"I'm afraid they WILL" said the
banker, obviously. Banks are robbed
time and again. 1t is nobody's fault;
but the manager doesn't get praised"
II suppose not" said the burglar re-
fectively.
The banker looked up suddenly, and
his clear, gray eyes rested upon the
young mans face.
"Now, then, George Darlington
what's your trouble? Out with it,
The other mumbled.
~ was hardly DONE" he said In a
sullen tone. 81 ought not to have been
sacked. l was in debt. My house
was cleared of its furniture, and my
wife, myself and my child were left
to starve. l had been sacked from Z
bank, and when l want another posi-
ton nobody would give 1t to me.
never robbed man of farthing in
my life l was driven to desperation
THAT'S hard" said the banker. but
realize, George Darlington, what you
are going to do. You are going to rob
this bank. At present the matter rests
lightly upon your mind. You will
probably get away safely. You will
fee to America or somewhere. You
may set up in business and become q
successful man. But have you ever
thought of what will come after, when
you get, say. my age? Then will be
the time for You to repent and to