Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-10-19

1O1A 80 = - - ~ - 0A u
certain bank In New York where An
derson knew Pierson kept an average
balance of $4,000 he used for margins
on stock operations. The rascals were
to go to New. York together to perpe-
tTate the swindle. One thing Lowering
insisted ON, to which Anderson de-
murred-Loyering claimed that since
he would do the forging he alone would
be guilty. Anderson could throw the
whole burden on him. Lowering also
changed bis mind about the method Of
drawing the money. Resembling Pier
son SO closely. he would need no iden-
tifeation at the bank. lie could pre-
sent the check with certainty hat it
would be paid without question. lie
therefore required Anderson to write
him a proposition to get $4,000 u of
Pierson by forging his name and imper-
~sonating him. Lowering refused to pro-
ceed with the matter until Anderson
gave him this paper. and Anderson
finally consented
The conspirators parted to meet In
New York on q certain day in Septem-
Der. Anderson went first In order to
investigate Persons bank account with
a view to determining If 1t would stand
a draft upon it such as was meditated-
Anderson wished to defer the execution
of the paper Lowering required till tho
time of drawing the money, but Low
ering refused to 20 to New York at all
without the paper in his possession.
He succeeded In convincing his pal that
a proposition to perpetrate a fraud was
not In the eye of the law the same as
perpetrating a fraud. Indeed, there
was a great difference. This removed
Anderson's objections so far as to In
duce him to sign the paper.
When the day appointed came round
Anderson and Lowering met in the lob.
by of a New York hotel.
well" said Lowering, what do you
know? ?"
~ know that a certain lady on whom
Pierson has long been sweet is In the
city. Therefore 1t is probable that Pier
son himself is not far off. though he's
not so thick with her as he was
you mean since you broke up the In
timacy between themT'
wen, tbdt ubOuL IL =
"How could you, a crook, prejudice a
lady against d gentlemanY y
i've never been In a scheme like this
before. | belong to a good family"
"Well, never mind your family. What
have you found out about Persons
bank balance?"
He had over $4,000 In bank yester-
day.
How did you find it out?"
'I'm In with one of the b~ookkeepers.'
"Ah! You are! Well, did you get one
of the banks blank checks?"
yes. Here is Is"
He produced his pocketbook and took
out several blank checks. THE only
rick" he said. lis this-Pierson's checks
have printed numbers on them. The
teller may notice this is not numbered"
I'm dix that by calling for one OF the
banks checks and signing it right there
before him"
Good Inevsrthougft 81 that The,
you al pay me my share, IND he'll
think you drew the money for a special
purpose"
The same afternoon the two men en-
tered the bank where Pierson kept his
account. Lowering went to the paying
teller's window and said:
Goodwin. give me a blank check. 1
van some money"
"An right, Mr.. Person" And he
handed the bit of paper through the
window.
Lowering tool it to a shelf where
were writing materials and wrote the
check and signed it with as firm a hand
as If he were drawing his wi money.
you're a cool one" said Anderson,
who was trembling like a leaf.
Lowering presented the check and
asked for the money in $500 bills The
two men waited TIL the sum vas
counted, then received it through the
tellers window.
As they left the bank Anderson drew
a long breath. "You did that splendid
"" he said. "How could you keep
your nerve?"
An honest mans nerve is eve
strained by his conscience" replied the
other. 81 drew my own money"
what do you mean?' asked Ander-
son, starting.
81 am Richard Pierson, the man
whom your lying tongue separated
from Virginia Merkland You needn't
shiver; you are in no danger. l have
simply got you down in black and
white that you are a swindler. How you
eyer fooled a lady of HRS. Markland's
good sense is a mystery to me. though
l must admit you are as plausible a
rascal as i ever met. Now go before
ktcR you down these steps,"
Anderson lost no time in obeying the
order. and Pierson. re-entering the
bank. deposited the money he had
drawn.
That evening he sent a card up TO
Virginia MARYLAND, who was staying
at one of the uptown hotels. On 1t was
written, II have an explanation to