Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1907-11-26
How He Robbed"
A Bank

..
that it was time to get the family sill
yer out of the safety deposit box.
Mr.. Flatdweller got a car to GO
home to luncheon. Just after he had
paid the conductor the five cents that
entitled him to ride he remembered
his promise to bring home the silver.
He got off the car and went to the
safety deposit vaults.
II came down to rob my wife's
safety deposit box" he explained to
the man behind the steel bars that
guarded the vault room.
HAS your wife box here?" was
the query of the man behind.
Hasn't she?" came from Flat
dweller.
ct is against the rules for us to give
out any information concerning who
are box holders here" was the chilly
suggestion that came next from the
bank official.
"Well, here is the receipt for the
box rent" said Flatdweller. Il don't
know what rare good fortune put me
just 1t this time, but here it is.
The bank official examined the re-
ceipt and almost smiled as he said:
"Your wife had it taken in both her
name and yours. That simplifies mat
ters. We confess that your wife has
box here. Please give me the pass
word?"
Nothing was said about password
said Flatdweller
And the number of the box?" con-
tinued the custodian OF the silver
F'latdweIler found telephone.
Finally when he got Mrs. Flatdweller
on the phone, she said: Eyes, do re-
member that there was a password,
but I could never think of it. Wait
a second. / wrote it on the back of
that calender your got from the rail-
road Hold the phone I'll be back in
minute. CA wait of a couple of min
utes.) You there, dear? remember
now that gave that calendar to the
cook when we stored our furniture.
You just tell that clerk that I say 1t is
all right. Anyhow the box is half in
your name. don't know the number
of the box. Isn't it on the key"
When Flatdweller explained that he
couldn't find out the password or the
number of the box the clerk regarded
him with look of cold suspicion and
proceeded TO administer what is
known in police circles as the third
degree,
A card index was brought in. The
clerk found a card Then the cross
examination began.
What was your wife's mothers
narne?" was the first question.
That's easy" said Flatdweller, and
ne answered, Brown, right off the reel.
"You mothers maiden name,
please?" came next, which question
was answered apparently to the salts
faction of the interrogation.
Once MIR. Flatdweller lost patience
and volunteered the information that
his grandfather was Presbyterian
preacher, and that he, Flatdweller,
would if properly urged, recite parts
of the Shorter Catechism or the Con-
fession of Faith. But this suggested
test was calmly ignored.
Finally a boy was called and told
to assist Mr.. Flatdweller in getting
his box Mr.. Flatdweller had success
fully passed the examination. Then
came search for the keys, which
were finally found. The clerk used one
key, then two Keystone held by the
bank and the other by Mr.. Flatdwell-
er-were used simultaneously and the
contents of the box stood revealed. 1t
took Mr.. Flatdweller about ten min
utes to transfer the silver from the
box to valise.
THANK you for your kindness"
said Mr.. Flatdweller as he started to
leave the bank. But he was stopped
and was required to surrender a card
which certified that the contents OF
the box had been removed and that
all records, papers, books, articles and
other things of real and doubtful
value had been found intact.
It was too late for Mr.. Flatdweller
to go home to luncheon, and he had
10 hire detective to watch the va
lise all the afternoon. Later he learn
ed that bank detective had trailed
him to his office for the purpose OF
confirming his identity. The detective
asked the janitor Of the building II
Mr.. Flatdweller was really Mr.. Flat
dweller. He then went back to the
bank and filed written report to the
effect that Mr.. Flatdweller was Mr.
Flatdweller.
sIfs all right" said Flatdweller at
the club. II got out of patience at
first, but when got to thinking 1t
over and realized that it was my own
property they we're safeguarding ] felt
much obliged for the care they had
taken. knew half dozen officials OF
the bank, but it happened that ] was
not a personal acquaintance OF the
man in charge of the deposit vault.
He was doing his duty all right, and
doing 1t well. I'm for him."