Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-09-18

Fred.
you see" she went on, II may have
callers or may go out or something,
and~you can go just as well as not"
Fred, not to be outdone In generos.
ity. REPLIED that he did not care any.
thing about going and that he was
going to work id his den" that after.
noon.
We'll, you must stay out Of the par.
lor." said Annie, despairingly.
Who's comin'?"
ooh, l don't know as anybody will,
but don't want to have company in.
terrupted."
well, don't want to see 'em any.
how, SO they can come IL they wan:
to-"
And that was the basis of agreement
between the two belligerents.
After dinner nothing was seen OF
Fred, and Annie hoped that he had
betaken himself to the field.
Not so. Fred was hard at work on
his patent instantaneous photography,
which was already well developed. He
thought no more of Annie's caution,
and probably would never have re.
called 1t had not ring at the door
bell about two o'clock startled him.
Wonder who it Isl" he calculated
Guess I'll go and find out" and he
late. The visitor had been ushered
In, and goirg back to his den he could
tell by the voices, though he could
not distinguish them, that 1t was in
the parlor that the caller was seated.
An hour later the visitor was still
there. A fact of much more import.
ance to Fred was that the new photo.
graphic plan was perfected.
Nov If l only had something to
try it on" he thought.
A happy conceit came into his mind
He would photograph the visitor.
Shouldering the camera and its ap.
purtenances he crept softly upstairs
and into TIE room directly over the
parlor. Arranging everything for a
quick test of the apparatus he opened
the window and let the camera down
outside untilEit was opposite the par.
Tor window beneath. The afternoon
sun shining full upon the parlor side
lighted the room brilliantly. and when
a quick press Of bulb conveyed the
impetus to the sensitive plate in the
small box, the room and its contents
were accurately fixed upon It.
Fred withdrew to his holy of holies
and proceeded to develop" the pict
Are. He had not completed the task
when something called him away
and the glass was laid aside for fur.
ther handling.
The next morning the newsboys had
sensation. Morning papers, all
about the bank robbery!' was theil
cry.
The Daily Journal, which had the
most condensed account of the affair
said this:
Yesterday afternoon about -four
O'Clock. as shown by the time lock
the safe of the First National Bank
was broken open and $4,000 in papers
and currency taken. The suspicion
rests upon the cashier, Mr.. FRANK
Maulin, who, though bearing good
character heretofore, is suspected be
cause he was the only one thorough
ly conversant with the amount in the
safe. Mr.. McCosh, the president, waf
In Richmond all day, and only learn
ed of the loss this morning upon com
ing down to the bank. Maulin has
been arrested and an examination
will be held this afternoon at half
past three o'clock"
Frank was in quandary. He had
tried to explain things to Mr.. Nc
Gosh, but that choleric gentleman had
refused to listen to explanations. He
hated to bring in Annie's name, and
had waited 80 long in hesitation that
a warrant had been issued and he
was brought before the Justice of the
peace to give bail. This he did, and
determined to wait until the examina
ton before Showing his hand" as hs
expressed 1t.
The court room was crowded
Everybody knew Frank Maulin, AMI
everybody wanted to see just what
would transpire.
Well, sir, said the justice, ate,
the evidence for the State was all in
what have you to say for yourself,
The assistant cashier has testified
that you entered the bank at fou,
o'clock. and surely that makes {
strong case"
Your Honor" was the reply, IT an
prepared to prove an alibi, but an
unwilling to bring into court the wit
ness whom I depend upon"
That is rather remarkable, !" said
the justice. You know, my friend
that you are accused OF very serious
crime?"
Il am aware Of thar, Sill, ebut my call
Ing upon the only witness who car
prove my absence from the bank Al
that hour would compromise one
whom I would dislike to inconven
|sience."
1T won't Inconvenience me any, Mr.
Maulin." said a boyish voice at the
rear Of the room, and slight youth
came elbowing his way forward.
He had under his arm a thin, square
package carefully wrapped in paper
Fred. what in the world are yo,
doing here?" asked his father, the
banker in astonishment.
"Pm going to testify, II Justice Ions
will let me-" was the answer.
"Of course I'll let you II you have
anything worth hearing" said thu
Judge, benignantly.
well, I was takin' Photographic
yesterday afternoon" began Fred, af
ter being sworn, "and sister had some
body visitin' her in the parlor. lei
the camera down outside the house
an took picture of the parlor. /,
was bright in there. an l got good
one. That's II" handing the justice
the nat, square package.
Slowly his honor unwrapped II. A.
he took out the cardboard inclosed, 4