The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-11-27

| OcDI tudl ne udu lOSL Lie WlluOul
having found an opportunity to turn
me over to one Of the rebel command
ers or rob me. l was getting nearer
all the while to federal territory, and
il could once get within it would feel
comparatively safe.
was doomed to disappointment
Tampico seemed for me the easiest
point to reach, and from there l might
60 by sea to Vera Cruz. Both places
were then in federal hands, but be-
fore l reached Tampico it was be.
sieged by rebels. At Victoria l heard
Of the rupture between Huerta and
the United States.
Puzzled as to what to do, stopped
where l was. was in rebel terri
tory and could not get into the fed
eral lines. Foreign refugees were leav-
ing Mexico when they could, and
was tempted to do the same. But
had lived long while in the country.
and If were to 60 away from it did
not know how would make a living.
was walking through the town one
day when suddenly l encountered my
shadOwer face to face. On this occasion
he seemed as much ratified at the meet
ing as I. He started, put his hand to
his hip, thought better of the move
ment and did not draw his weapon l
followed his movements exactly.
you villain" exclaimed RAISE
finger against me and will kill you"
"If you do my secret will be buried
with me-" he said, very much excited.
l gathered courage. For some rea-
son, either because he was unaided or
because we were on a public street,
seemed to have the advantage. l con-
cluded to permit him to explain his
object toward me II he would without
betraying my ignorance Of it. l glared
at him and said nothing.
II am ready to restore the whole
amount" he said, mot that you could.
In the present state of the country,
compel me to do SO or imprison me
for the crime"
60 on" I said without indicating
that did not know what he was talk
Ing about
"The fact is" he continued, 'that /
have not had a moments peace of
mind since l took the money"
THAT is the usual result with new
criminals" l put in, still ignorant of
what money he referred to-
mot cent has been wasted, not a
cent spent. The bills are in packages
just as they were taken from the
safe"
A sudden light broke in on my dull
brain. This man who supposed had
been shadcwing me had considered me
his shadower. Truly, guilty con-
science needs no accuser.
Where are theyY" asked
I'll never tell until am promised
Immunity from prosecution"
VIII you be content with. such a
promise from meY
He thought awhile before replying to
this. then said: II suppose I'll have to
De content. You were an official of
the bank. In these times we can't
choose our methods. My prfnci, ,al mo-
tive Is to get the matter Off my hands
and off my conscience"
Very well; so far as my prom ise of
immunity goes l will give 1t, and
think 1t will be respected by the Others
concerned. II the whole amount: taken
Is restored l am quite sure " NJ will
not need to fear prosecution"
Come to my room and draw ND the
papers,"
went with him and, as we sa, fac
Ing each other. listened to Ids re- cital
as TO now he came to take tie money:
one OF the clerks III the bank was
friend Of mine. I had been for years
IN the employ Of safe ard lock com
pany. The clerk suggest I'd how easy
It would be for him to ad init me to the
sa1e and Tor me to pick the lock and
take enough money to make us rich.
we both fell under the emptation. On
pretense of being be3 lind with his
books he worked at MI ,ht. took me In
when no one b,4s hi r self was there.
and l opened the s Ale and took the
money.
/ cF.rried 1t mort Inward. crossed the
Rio Grande and Mried it in n metal
box in the state ~ Texas. The clerk
~SsCA 'H5 u the DuIlk DeCdule
panic stricken TT what he had done
md would not nc, ept n cent OF II.
lared not spe nd II for I knew detec-
lives were watd ling me. as they
watched all init o late friends Of the
banks force. A nd that's the reason
why the secret srvice men never got
on to who took tire money. None Of 1t
was ever spent"
The man cone auded by saying that
he had known I was an officer Of the
bank and asked me to tell him how I
had spotted Finn. Then l confessed
that l was Perfectly ignorant Of his
being the thisf OF the money lost until
he told me unt he was. But he was
so relieved to get the matter of his
mind that !le did not regret the mis-
take.
AFTER L had sworn to the man to
Keep the ecret pertaining to himself
ana the clt .rk who had helped him we
started TOT :ether for the Texas border,