Year: 1876




The story or Bank Robbery That Didn't


Come by Telegraph.


A few days ago about dusk a stranger
called at the residence Of bank cashier
in St. Louis, and introducing himself,
said he desired some private conversa-
ton on business Of importance. The
cashier thereupon led him TO private
room, gave orders that they were not
to be disturbed, seated himself, folded
his arms, and desired his mysterious
acquaintance to communicate the object
Of his visit. The man coughed once or
twice, then said:


"Being the cashier Of this here fnan-
cial institution. Of course you keep the
key Of the safe p


The cashier said he did.


"And you know about the bank rob-
bers that 60 round and tie and gag
cashiers and their families, and with
pistol at their heads compel them to give
up the keys?"


The cashier said be did


"And you've heard about the Daven
port Brothers and the Spiritualists and
things?"


The cashier said be had.


"Now," said the stranger. "I've been
studying up the whole business, and !
have found out how to overcome them"


.You don't say so ?"


Eyes, sir. For $5 I will impart to
you a secret which may at some future
time save your life and the funds in
trusted to your care. will show you
how to unite any series Of knots, how
ever complicated /; to removes gag from
your mouth, and, in fact, set yourself
free / can release myself in 2:144.
and with weeks practice I'll bet that
you can show better than three minutes.
You see the advantage Of my system
There is no need to resist and get shot;
ell you have to do is to let them tie you
up, and as soon as they have taken the
key and gone, why you just let yourself
loose and give the alarm"


The cashier said it was q remarkable
invention.


"You bet it is," said the inventor,
"and as / never take any money for it
till my customers are satisfied Of nay
honesty in dealing with them, I'll tell
you what I'll do. Just let me gag
and bind you, and then I'll give you
simple directions what to do, and if you
don't unloose yourself in five minutes
and express your entire satisfaction with
the process, I'll give you $40. If you
find that I am man Of my word, you'll
pay me S."


The cashier said that nothing could
be fairer.


'Another thing" continued the vis-
itor; "Tm poor man, and this secret
is my only stock in trade, SO Til ask
you not to teach any one else how to do
it, for that would spoil my business" !"


The cashier consented to the arrange
ment.


"Take this $40 bill, said the other.
"If I fail, you keep it; if you are salts
fed, you will return it to me with
another IS. And now this is how we
do it," So saying he took a roll Of
cord and . gag from his pockets,
and with great dexterity tied that cash
ier hand and foot, and gagged him SO
that he could not wink.


s.Now you are tied pretty firmly,
amt you? You wouldn't think you
could ever get loose, would you ?"
The cashier looked the replies be
could not speak.


II don't think you could myself"
said the inventor; 'and now let me tell
you my name is Jesse H. James, the
notorious train robber, and if you don't
fork over that key in three seconds I'll
cut your throat from ear to ear. beg
your pardon you can't, but I'll take it
myself. It's no trouble" and. turning
that cashier over on his back like tur-
tie, he took the key. II won't take
your pocketbook," he said, ''for the
$40 is yours" as don't think you will
be able to get loose in five minutes, or
Eve hours either. So long, sonny"
and, with courteous bow, be quilted
the apartment, and proceeded to the
bank, which be rifed as completely and
leisurely as if he had been one Of the
directors. The sad event has cast a
gloom over the community.