The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-03-02
q seltser and mink on the spot. he nev.
er touched hard drinks.

sate ,purSiary uone IN hlcnm0nd, Ind,
with no clew to the author. A scant
$500 was all that was secured. Two
weeks after that a patented, improved,
burglar proof safe In Logansport was
opened like a cheese to the tune Of
S1,o0O currency; securities and silver
untouched. That began to interest the
rogue catchers. Then an old fashioned
bank safe In Jefferson City became
active and threw out Of it's crater an
eruption of banknotes amounting to
So,OOO. The losses were now high
enough to bring the matter up into
Ben Prices class of work. BY compar-
Ing notes a remarkable similarity in
the methods Of the burglaries was no.
tced. Ben Price investigated the
scenes of the robberies and was heard
to remark:
That's Dandy Jim Valentines auto
graph. He's resumed business Look
at that combination knob-jerked out
as easy as pulling up a radish in wet
weather. He's got the only clamps
that can do 1t. And look how clean
those tumblers were punched out,
Jimmy never has to drill but one hole.
Yes. l guess l want Mr.. Valentine.
He'll do his bit next time without any
short time or clemency foolishness."
Ben Price knew Jimmy's habits. He
had learned them while working up
the Springfield case. Long Jumps,
quick getaways. no confederates and
a taste for good society-these WAYS
had helped Mr.. Valentine to become
noted as successful dodger OF retri-
button. 1t was given out that Ben
Price had taken up the trail of the
elusive cracksman. and other people
with burglar proof safes felt more Mt
ease.
One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and
his suit case climbed out of the mnil
mack In Elmore, Il little town five miles
Off the railroad down I'm the blackjack
country Of Arkansas. Jimmy. looking
like an athletic young senior lust home
from college. went down the board
sidewalk toward the hotel.
~ young lady crossed the street
passed him ut the corner and entered
door over which was the sign The
Elmorc Bank" Jimmy Valentine look
ed into her eyes. forgot what he was
and became another man. She lower.
eu her eyes and colored slightly.
Young men OF Jimmy's style and looks
were scarce In Elmore
Jimmy collarcd n boy that was loaf.
ing on the steps of the bank as if he
were one OF the stockholders and began
10 ask him questions about the town,
feeding him dimes at intervals. By
ana by the young lady came out, look.
ing royalty unconscious Of the young
man with the suit case and went hcr
way.
Isn't that young lady Miss Polly
SIMPSON," asked Jimmy, with specious
guile.
"Naw," said the boy: she's AnnabeI
Adams. Her pa owns this bank.
Whatd you come to Elmore for? Is
that gold watch chain? I'm going
TO get bulldog. Got any more
dimes?"
Jimmy went to the Planters hotel.
registered as Ralph ID. Spencer and en-.
gagged Il room. He leaned on the desk
ana declared his platform to the clerk.
He said he had come to Elmore to look
for location to go into business. How
was the shoe business now In the
town: He had thought Of the shoe
business. Was there an opening?
The clerk was impressed with the
clothes and manner OF Jimmy. He
himself was something OF a pattern OF
Fashion to the thinly gildcd youth of
Fillmore. but he now perceived his
shortcomings. While trying TO figure
out Jimmy's manner of tying his four
in-hand he cordially gave information.
Yes, there ought to be n good OPEN
Ing i'm the shoe line. There wasn't an
exclusive shoe store In the place. The
dry goods and genera! stores handled
them. Business In all lines was fairly
good Hoped Mr.. Spencer would de-
eide to locate In Gilmore. He would
hnd 1t pleasant town to live In and
the people very sociablc.
Mr. Spencer thought he would stop
over In the town few days and look
over the situation. No. the clerk
needn't call the boy. He would carry
up his suit case himself. 1t was rather
heavy
Mr.. Ralph Spencer. the phoenix that
arose from Jimmy Valentines ashes
ashes left by the fame OF sudden
and Alternative attack OF iove-remain-
ed In Elmore and prospcred. He open
ed shoe store and secured n good run
Of trade
Socially he was also success and
made many friends. And he accom-
plished the wish OF his heart. He met
Miss Annabel Adams and became more
ana more captivated by her charms.
At the end OF n year the situation of
kaiph Spencer was this-he had won
the respect OF the community. his shoe
store was hourishing. and he and An
mabel were engaged to be married I'm
two weeks. Mr. Adams. the typical.
plodding. country banker approved of
spencer. Annabels pride in him al
most equaled her affection. He was as
much at home in the family Of Mr..
Adams and that OF Annabers mar