The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-12-06
THE GOOD
COUNTERFEIT
By JEROME P. CORN
Copyright, ieO, by Jerome p. GorIn
n the year 1S0-- there were two
banks in B-ville. thriving little

II city situated within 200 miles of
New York; one a rather insignifi-
cant affair; the other, Bethany Bros, Il
remarkably wealthy and prosperous
concern for SO small place.
Friday morning. Oct 5, when Mr..
Charles, the old cashier for Bethany
Bros endeayored to open the big safe
the lock would not respond to his
manipulations, and the hour for com
mencing business found Bethany Bros.
in the embarrassing predicament Of
having no niGney with which 10 pay
checks.
Early in the morning stranger call
ed, wanting change for hundred dol
lar bill. He stood around quite awhile
listening TO the bankers excuses TO
customers and others.
"The lock won't work. We can't
open the safe" repeated James Betha-
ny for the fiftieth time, ''but man
from the safe makers will be here at /
o'clock, and tomorrow we will be all
right"
The safe was in plain sight. and, as
usual, the makers name was lettered
on 1t.
The stranger expressed sympathy
and showed his interest by asking
many questions and telling Of similar
cases that had come TO his knowledge.
He took the noon train for New York,
but before leaving lie sent II long tele-
in, nIFlh tn
IL r street, New York.
The fact that he sent a telegram did
not come out, however, until after the
mischief had been done.
At Z o'clock that evening both the
Bethany brothers and Mr.. Charles
were at the railroad station, and when
the train stopped Il man. carrying Il
large and Il small yaliSe. stepped off.
On being accosted by James Bethany
he said he was the person expected.
After he had eaten supper all four
repaired to the bank.
1t was 3 o'clock in the morning be-
fore the safe was opened and the lock
put in order and oiled.
"Graclousw exclaimed Mr.. Charles.
~ didn't suppose it would take half so
long"
The expert explained that it was a
very fine lock, almost never getting out
OF order, but when once it did go wrong
was very difficult TO manipulate and
adjust.
He set it on new combination and
gave the numbers On card to Mr..
Charles.
When all was finished he presented a
form OF receipt, printed expressly for
his firm, which Bethany Bros. signed,
showing that he had done the work,
how long it took, what was the matter,
etc. The bill for his services and eX-
penses. he said, would be sent by mail
Then the man. whose name was Meiu-
ert, went to bed at the hotel. The next
day, Saturday, at noon, he left for New
York.
The bank opened ms usual Saturday.
And TO dlspel any doubt as to Its SOL
vency the counter was piled high with
currency.
Monday morning when Mr.. Charles
opened the safe he found only few
dollars in specie ana II slip of paper
on which was scrawled. you should
change your name TO +. u. Mark &
Brother"
After the first shock was over which
caused consternation bordering on pan
ic In the town, telephone communica-
tion was had with the safe makers and
the New York police.
The Bangnp Safe company said that
their man had not yet returned, but
they wouldn't listen for moment to
any doubts of his honesty.
The next day they telephoned that
such condition that he could hardly
walk or talk.
His story was as follows:
'.On the train. in the seat just in
front OF me. We're two men, who from
their conversation | learned We're in
the L. Safe company. One OF them
was going 10 I1lmira on the same er-
rand as my own, TO open a safe. The
other was q salesman on his way 10
Chicago. He asked me for IL match
aud gave me cigar. They were eX-
tremely pleasant, and pretty soon we
were all three talking safe business.
After smoking the cigar | don't re-
member anything except vaguely that
one OF them got off the train with me
and We had something 10 drink. When
came TO my senses Monday afternoon
was in cheap hotel In Buffalo.
couldn't move or speak but doctor
came and got me on my feet. The
landlord said man claiming to he my
brother brought me there early Satur-
day morning in cab, saying was on
spree; that no had TO go TO Cleye-
land. hut would be back Tuesday. He
paid three days hoard for me When
l found my sntcliels were missing
suspected that one of the men had
taken my place nt B-yllle and that
the bank had been robbed. All my
money was gone. but the landlord
bought me ticket to New York and
put me on the train. ! was very fool
ash ana shall never get over IT,"
The amount stolen was IN the neigh
b0rhooJ OF 100000.
II didu't take mel. NJ. Sharp OF the
detective firm OF Good 81 Sharp-two
minutes 10 evolve the correct theory or
the way the thing had been done
The stranger who wanted hundred
dollar bill changed was the head OF