Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-02-10
they make such things for the profes4


stairs and through the cafe. He was
now dressed in tasteful and we'll fit
ting clothes and carried his busted and
cleaned suit case in his hand.
Got anything on:" asked Mike Do
Ian genially.
Me-" said Jimmy. in u puzzled tone.
Il don't understand. I'm representing
the New York Amalgamated Short
Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled
Wheat company"
This statement delighted Mike to
such an extent that Jimmy had to take
a settler and milk on the spot He new
er touched hard drinks.
A week after the release of Valen-
tine, 1852, there was a neat job Of
safe burglary done in Richmond, Ind,
with no clew to the author. A Scant
$500 was all that was secured. Two
weeks after that patented. improved,
burglar proof safe in Logansport was
opened like a cheese to the tune of
$500 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
$1,000. The losses were low 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
ticed. Ben Price investigated the
scenes of the robberies and was heard
to remark:
That's Dandy Jim Valentines auto
graph. He's resumed business. Loo&
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 it, 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 foolisbness.''
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 craftsman. and other people
with burglar proof safes felt more at
ease
One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and
his suit case climbed out of the mai!
hack in Gilmore. Il little town five miles
off the railroad down in the blackjack
country of Arkansas. Jimmy. looking
like an athletic young senior just home
from college. went down the board
sidewalk toward the hotel
A young lady crossed the street,
passed him at the corner and entered
a door over which was the sign 1.-The
Gilmore Bank" Jimmy Valentine look
ed into her eyes. forgot what he was
and became another man. She lower
ed her eyes and cOlOred slightly.
Young men Of Jimmy's style and looks
were scarce in Elmore
Jimmy collared a boy that was loaf
ing on the steps Of the bank as if be
were one of the stockholders and began
to ask him questions about the town.
feeding him dimes at intervals. BY
and by the young lady came out look
ing royalty unconscious of the young
man with the suit case and went ner
way.
isn't that young lady Miss Polly
Simpson," asked Jimmy. with sperious
guile
Nav" said the boy; shes Annabel
Adams. Her pa owns this bank
What'd you come to Gilmore 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 D. Spencer and en-.
gagged a room. He leaned on the desk
and declared his platform to the clerk
He said he had come to Gilmore to look
for a 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 pattern OF
fashion to the thinly gilded youth of
Gilmore. but he now perceived his
shortcomings. While trying 10 figure
)ut Jimmy'S manner of tying his four
m-hand he cordially gave Information.
Yes there ought to be Il good open
ing in 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 ;tc in Gilmore. He would
find it Il peasant town to live in ail
the people very SOciable.
Mr.. Spencer thought he would stop
over in the town Il 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