The daily Alaskan., 1907-06-27
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An Amateur Thief.
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ADL AtAEAr WEAE AAaN1aSisl NNN Nt-.- dors made by criminals lu. covering their tracks. Yost was speaking.
 "I tell you the criminal from the mo- mcut he becomes a criminal has not a normal control of hIs faculties"
 He should have a far keener control of them than before. Had l committed crime my faculties would be sharp us a razor"
 ,I should like to have that statement tested"
 Tt Is possible. Make It worth my while. and ] will commit a crime"
 What do you me0uY"
 Palmer thought awhile before reply lug. "I will. bet you SlOO0 to A0ooo thatI can steal SlOO0O and not be de ,srtad for. say, a year l will take the money from the safe of my employer t, which and others have access. The money can be returned anonymously at the end of the year with interest
 "The conditions will not be criminal If you are arrested, ] can come for ward and claim that It Is merely a wager"
 "That would not be evidence. Any thief could get some friend to put in such a claim for him.
 .I believe you're right. Sc far as be ing considered a criminal is concerned there would be no hope fer you"
 The bet was made, and Palmer the next day during business hours, while the office was crowded, walked deliD- erateIy into the safe. which stood open put a package of bills In hIs side coat 79rkpt went and sat down at his desk, -rmafnpd there tIll the hour of closing then went out in company with a mem brr of the firm. Going t5 hIs room, hc sat down to think over what he should do with the money. His brain was clear. and he was pleased to discover that he had perfect control Of his fac rltfes. There had been so many peo- ole in the office at the time the money was taken. the safe standing open the while. that there was uO reason why ho should be suspected any more than others. Nevertheless all the office force would be placed under surveillance. A detective would be employed, whose eve would be open to the slightest rlaw. Palmer's room might be search aI when be was absent so he couldn't leave tla money there. He dared not keen rt on hls person. He dared mol but It In bank. He must get rid of it.
 Here was risk that he was forced to take. If he were seen hiding the money if it were discovered In amy Drara that would lncr'mlnate him, tbe game would be up. However he be l.avrd that the risk would be Iuduites Imgl md he spent several hours mak- Ing plans for the disposition of the funds. The theft had not been dIscov- cred before the closing hours of busi- ness and could not possibly be 'aIs covered tlu the beginning of business hours the next day. He could certain rv not be watched tn then, ll at all After dinner he went tO his grand mothers. who lived a few miles out In The country, and when 1t was dark and vn one noticed him he strOlled back or the house Taking a spade from the barn. he went a few hundred yards Co g wood. There under a tree be knew well he had often climbed 1t when a bov-he buried the bills ID a cigar box.
 He felt now thut the rest would be easy. He would go to tue office. as usual. in the morning feeling sure that the theft could not be traced to him. All he had to dO was to act naturally.
 He slept fairly we'll and at o'clock In the morning entered the office. The employees were coming in, and one Of -ne partners. Nr, Knox, was already there. Palmer cast a quick glance about him and saw that all was as usual He sat down at his desk and tried to lose himself in his work. But he couldn't He dreaded the moment winch the money would be missed Then he began to wish the discovery would be madp and hIs suspense end ed About II o'clock the cashier went into the safe and soon returned with a serious look on his face. Going to the head of the firm, Mir. peylln, he whispered something in his ear The gentleman arose and went to the safe with ,He cashier Both entered, and both came out together, the head of the firm taking in with a searching glance every maB in the office.
 Palmer'a heart was beating like a kettIcIrum. and he felt the blood leav- ing his face. Should he look at his em ployer or keep his eyes on his wOrki He had wit enough left to choose the latter course, but he felt that the eye of bis employer was on him, and to look ruconcerned was out Of the ques- ton
 Mir Palmer, will you step Into my private ollce|
 Palmer knew that the first part of his game had gone against him, but hc was p,ucky. Indeed, he had to be blucky and neryed himself for a strug gle as to the remaining part. He de nled any knowledge of the theft and explained his paIlor on the ground that