Year: 1876




Afew days ago. about dusk. a stranger called at
the residence of bank cashier in St. Louis and,
introducing himself, he said he desired some
private conversation on business of importance.
The cashier therenpon led him to a private
room, gave orders that they were not to be dis
turbed, seated himself unfolded his ears, and
desired his mysterious acquaintance to conlmu-
ccate the object of his visit. The man coughed
once ortwice, then said


Being cashier of this here financial institu-
tion, of course you keep the key of the safe r
The cashier said he did.


Sand you. know about the bank robbers that
go around and gag cashiers and their families,
and with pistols at their heads compel them to
give up the keys p


The cashier said he did,


!. And you have heard about the Davenport
brothers and the spiritualists and things2"
The cashier said he had.


'.Now," said the stranger 81 have been
studying up the whole business, and have
found out how to overcome them


"You don't say 500


sYes, sir. For FIVE dollars will impart to
you secret which may at some future time save





I will show you how to unite any series of knots.
however complicated; to remove gag from
your mouth. and, in fact, to set yourself free
i can release myself in 2:l411, 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
all you have to do is TO let them tie you up, and
as they have taken the key and gone,
why you just let yourself loose and give the
alarm"


The cashier said it was indeed remarkable
invention.


You bet it is," said the inventor f" and as I
never take any money for it till my customers
satisfied of my honesty in dealing with them,
I'll tell you what I'll do. Just let me gag and
bind you, and Ill give you simple directions
whatto do, and if you can't unloose yourself in
i've minutes and express your entire satisfaction
at the process, I'll give you $40. If you find
that am a man of my word, you'll pay me S."
The cashier said that nothing could be fairer
Another thing" continued the visitor
am poor man, and this secret is my only stock
in-trade SO I'll ask you not to teach any one else
how to do it. for that would spoil my business"
The cashier consented to the arrangement.
Take this sic bill" said the other. "If
fail you keep it if you satisfied you will re-
turn it to me with another S5. And now this is
how we do it, So saying, he took roll of cord
and gag from his pockets, and with great dexter
ity tied that cashier hand and foot and gagged
him SO that he couldn't wink


Now you are tied pretty firmly, amt you !?
You wouldn't think you would ever get loose
would your


The cashier looked the replies he could not
speak.


"I don't think you could myself" said the
inventor I" 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
z I'll cut your throat from ear to ear. beg your
pardon you can't; but I'll takeit myself It's
no trouble" And turning that cashier over on
his back like turtle he took the key. 81 won't
take your pocket-book," he said for the $40 is
yours, and don't think you'll be able to get
loose in five minutes, or five hours either So
long, sonny" and with a courteous bow he
quilted the apartment and proceeded to the
bank, which he rifed as completely and leisurely
as if he had been one of the directors The sad
\ event has cast gloom over the community