The Bismarck tribune., 1924-08-09
His Handsome
GaOler
By WALTER J. DELANEY

, Twenty years agOne Israel Meyers
had graduated from One-hOrse
Junk business to the dignity Of
scrap-iron yard. Twelve years later
he had gone into "drosses."
Never burglar brought his
booty to Israel Meyers to be melted
up past Identification. Israel was
honest. That was why he was rated
! &C." which means 1928, 600" and
~ which means the highest
grade OF credit"
or all this l, Roy Burley. was
thinking. ! came on duty bent. but
with pleased, expectant sense as
well. Israel lived with his family
at the rear Of the counting room
and its great safe-tilled vault. and
a part of the household was Miss
lola Purcell She was not rela.
tive of the Dresses man. but for
three years had been his stenog-
rapher, boOkkeeper and private Sec
retary As commercial reporter
for an agency that was the credit
censor OF the world. / had to visit
the place on my round Of duties sew
eral times during the year. just
now l had come on special mis-
sion. 1t appeared that Meyers had
paid down $4,000 on the purchase
Of large mine. 1t was rare bar
gain, but the seller wanted to be
sure the balance would come along
in stipulated installments. Our rat.
ing guaranteed IL, but wanted
new financial statement to be sure
we were right.
entered the counting room. to
find 1t untenanted. sat down beside
desk and waited. ...
Upon the desk lay an open letter.
apparently. just received. At q
glance l saw 1t was addressed to
Miss Purcell and from Meyers. 1t
told her that the manager of their
great branch house in another city
had disappeared with almost its en-
tire cash capital. which meant "fail-
1re and ruin unless"
A step behind me prevented my
reading further. 1t was Miss Pur.
cell. but had already gained
great tip. The house of Israel
Meyers was insOlvent and that item
Of news belonged to my agency.
AS spoke such words as casual
call" new statement" and the like,
she smiled graciously and took from
the desk Gigned audited state
ment showing the business In the
most solvent condition In the
world.
LAS of the twenty fifth" she re-
minded. by the way, as you are
here have you ever looked over our
stock? NO?" She led the way to
the open vault doorway guarded
only by the heavily barred inner
door. She bowed me ahead of her
click
The door had crashed to upon
me, shutting me into the vault
helpless prisoner. / watched my
captOr run to the front door and
close and lock 1t to prevent any in
trusiOn.
do you understands" she asked.
with doubtful smile playing about
her lips.
Il think So" l rejoined, with a
shrug of my shoulders. 1T 10
clever. You know that compre-
bend the house is on the rocks. How
long can you keep 1t quiet?'
Twenty-four hours" she an.
swered with confidence, land by
that time we will have tided over
the stress. You are the only one
who has received q hint of the
truth
"Duty is duty, and with freedom
l should certainly have sent nv
unfortunate news broadcast. l was
cleverly trapped" l admitted.
Listen" spoke my fair gaoler;
you will be glad of my action
later on. 1 will pass through the
bars whatever food you care for.
and cigars. l will talk to you, read
to you. There Is a piano in the
nearest living room. l will, IL you
choose. play and sing for you"
"Charming!" l laughed! truly
80. But what of the penalty to me
Of remaining absent from my
workY'
You shall not suffer for IT,"
said Miss Purcell. quietly and re-
assuringly. Then she left me to
sleep on some blankets she had
passed through the bars of the
door.
About the middle of the night I
awoke. l heard strange boring
sound. l lay still and watched.
They bored a hole through the
floor and human hand probed
about to locate the trap lock. I
seized 1t and shouted out. In a
few minutes Miss Purcell appeared.
l explained the situation.
Burglars" she said. Let 70
Of the hand. With you here. I do
not care to court an explanation
with the police"
1t was daylight when she went
to the street door to receive an
early telegram. She read it, smiled
and passed 1t to me.
"Have raised the hundred thou.
sand from my brother" 1t ran.
crisis past. Home tomorrow
Israel Meyers"
You can go-and thank you for
your company" she said naively.
Il would like to call again." 7
remarked.
do so. Mr.. Meyers will feel he
owes you something for saving hls
treasures from the burglars"
"And your inquired pointedlv
Il would like an opportunity fo
show You that 1 can be a pleasant
hostess a. well as a cruel gaoler."
/ am q frequent visitor at tho
Meyers house now and lola seems
always glad to welcome me. Israel
Meyers has offered me a good posi-
d0n, and lola and are to be mar.
ried.
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21.156 CARS