Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-27
OLD CIRCUS CLOWNS
PUT ONE OVER ON BANK
In "Rube" Makeup, They Call a,
First National and Ask for
Proprietor.
WANTED TO BUY FARM LANDS
Eccentric Couple Cause Commotion
in Broad Street Stores, but No
One Penetrates Secret OF Their
Disguise.

1T was downright scandalous the way
two of the ,shrewdest banking men in
Virginia-John Tyler. assistant cashier.
and s. Edward Bates. manager of the
savings department of the First Ma
ruoes put one over on 'em yesterday
morning
Even the youngest OF the junior
clerks in the bank, whose inclination
toward lcvity and relish for practical
joking causes his seniors at times to
was their heads apprehcnsively, feels
put out over II. There is some consola-
ton Tor the bank people, however. in
the fact that the pair that put 1t across
when they were not expecting any such
prank are well-schooled actors with
many years of experience as rube char
acter tmpersonators.
ST and Mary Stebbins were not suffi-
GENTLY grotesque in their costumes and
makeup to attract a crowd when they
entered the bank. ST, In his coarse.
cheap suit, his wooden cap and WOODEN
shirt. and carrying an ancient buggy
whip i'm his hand, and Mary in her
tight-htting jersey. checkered calico
skirt and thick -soled shoes, with her
faded, antique hat cncircled by wreath
Of artificial wild roses, were just eccen-
trio enough in their respective get-ups
to provoke smile of amusement from
dows as they shuff1ed past.
ASKS TELLER ron
PROPRIETOR OF BANK
But when ST paused at the paying
teller's window and asked for the pro-
prietor of the bank, every attache with
in range of Sis resonant voice sus-
pended work and lent an attentive ear.
Most of the men could not sec the
couple, but the glimpse Of them they
nd
entrance sufficed to identify the voice
OF the countryman.
ST toyed with his buggy whip with
one hand and with his chin whiskers
with the other while he stated his bust
ness. His uncle, John Taylor, whose
farm adjoined his own place near Ches-
ter. had sent him to the "Fus' National"
Uncle John had told him that the bank
was hurglarproof and fircproof and
that nobody but church members was
permitted to work there. That was the
sort of bank he wanted to deposit his
money in.
Somebody took him in tow ut this
stage and led him to Assistant Cashier
John Tyler's window. The assistant
ca shier learned from the countryman
that he had $4,000. the amount he got
for his farm in New Hampshire when
he sold out to come to Virginia some
time ago; that he wanted to put the
money in safe place until he could
find farm near Richmond at n fair
price. Mr.. Tyler led 81 and Mary to S.
Edward Bates. manager OF the savings
department. and introduced ST as the
nephew of John Taylor. OF Chesterfield.
WANTED TO PURCHASE
NEARBY FARM LAND
Mr.. Stcbbins told Mr. Tyler that he
had just como 20 look the bank over be-
fore bringing In his $4,000. He wanted
TO buy farm, too, but he wanted better
land than he had seen quoted at any
thing like that figure around here
Would the bank be willing to let him
put n shin plaster" on his farm if he
bought one that cost little more than
he had to spend. The bank would give
him the best of treatment, Mr.. TYLER
told him. Then he referred 81 to John
c. Easley for information about farm
lands. in the event he wanted to pur-
chase Immediately.
Mary Stebbins chewed refectively at
the hem Of her jersey while 81 talked
business TO the big men in the bank
Then they departed 81 promising to re-
turn Wednesday with his deposit
The two fake rubes. for years clown
ing with the Barnum and Bailey circus
and here for the first half of the week
performing in vaudeville theater
spent the greater part of the morning