Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1879 — HOW OUR BANK WAS ROBBED. [ARTICLE]

HOW OUR BANK WAS ROBBED.

One bright morning, a few years ago, great excitement prevailed in the London office of the City and Provincial Bank (limited). Yet the bank had just declared a fat dividend of 15 per cent, for the half year. Shareholders were contented, and god Mammon seemed to cast a favorable eye on the welfare of the old and thriving corporation. However, a mutinous feeling of discontent was plainly visible upon the faces of the thirty-odd employes, who swarmed like bees into the hive, every week-day morning, for the purpose of manufacturing the golden produce that delightetn the souls of distributing Directors and radiant proprietors. The shoe pinched some where. Where was it? The following notice, circulated for the perusal of each clerk, contained the secret of the unwonted gloom: Every gentleman will be required to remain at the banking-house two Bundays in the year, to assist in guarding the premises. By order, J SporroßTH, Secretary. Here was a revolution—a coup d'etat indeed! Six days we should labor, but tho seventh certainly did not belong to the City and Provincial Bank. The gilding of a little extra pay might have made the pill easier to swallow, but on this point the notice- was discreetly reticent. .In the end, after a few days of conjecture and excitement, everyone quietly resigned himself to his fate, as black and white slaves are bound to do all the world over. I had been ten years in the bank, and received a salary which, though not magnificent, was sufficient to support in comfort a young wife; and very happy we were in our snug retreat at Wood Green. Of course, we both thought it extremely hard to be separated even for two Sundays in a year, still, we there was nothing for it but submission. Now, though I. in common with others, rebelled against the forcible seizure of Sunday’s rest, yet it must be owned there was some reason for the extraordinary innovation. The strong rooms of two neighboring establishments had been attempted within a fortnight, and a boy carrying bonds in Broad street had been decoyed away and the securities stolen. But, worst of all, some pilfering had been going on for months in our own bank. Stamps had disappoarfidto an alarming extent. Clerks had missed money from their coats, and now and then the garments themselves were spirited away. Traps had been carefully laid, ana a detective spoken with; but as yet the rogue was not discovered, and an uneasy feeling was rife among us all. The bank boasted of four porters or messengers, one of whom—the chief —lived rent-free in premises that nearly adjoined the bunding. He was h, long, lean man, named Bennett, with a parchment face and a goatee beard. Some people said he was civil, others servile; at all events he was quiet, well up to his work, and high in favor with the authorities. Of the remaining three, one had been a grocer’s boy, ana the other was a country lout, in green coat and brass buttons—both honest creatures, but of no importance in this narrative. The fourth was an ex-po-liceman named Lance, a blunt, pleasant man, much given to relating queer stories of his former life, and not averse to a pot of beer for his trouble.' After eight weeks had passed since the official notification, it came round to my turn to keep guard. During the week preceding, the mystery had become still more intensified by the unaccountable disappearance of a twentypound note, and matters began to assume a very grave aspect. On arriving at the bank, the door was opened by the night watchman, an old pensioned soldier, who, for one pound a week, remained in the building all night, and vanished with the early morning on the arrival of the porters to open the doors. A few minutes afterward Bennett walked in, accompanied, to my joy, by honest old Lance, whose wonderful stories I fondly hoped would help to relieve the tedium of a long, dull day; then, without more ado, 1 proceeded to make my first round. Preceded by Bennett, with alighted taper, I marched up stairs, through Svplanks and up dangerous ladders, till we gained the trap-door which opened on the roof; then down again to the lowest abysses of coal cellar and strong room, looking in vain for some concealed Guy Fawkes, who, however, was conspicuous for his absence. Very minutely did 1 examine and try the drawer, which had already been tampered with, as I knew it contained, beside stamps, a large sum in gold and notes'. - No—it seemed firm and safe, and would take “a deal o’work,” as Bennett remarked, holding life taper close to the lock. Lance, too, had a . good look at it and expressed 7 the same “ Our first visit ended—and 1 was expected to patrol kt least three times in the day—the two porters went down to breakfast, and I adjourned to the s

manager's room, leaving the door partly open,"so a* to be able to soe all round the bank. I lit a cigar, and ensconcing myself comfortably in the managerial arm chair, prepared to ■tey the two hours which Intervened between the cessation of the church bells and luncheon time. Suddenly old Lance appeared again at the half-opened door, and spoke in this wise: “’Scuse me, sir, but Tve been a lileaceman, and I don’t think that ock’s all right.” “ Which lock,. Lance,” said I. “ That there drawer with the stamps, sir.’,’ “Well, let us look again.” So saying, we both .went to the counter which contained 'the drawer, and Lance pointed out some small scratches on the lock, and a slight indentation in the wood-work surrounding It. “ That’s a chisel if I die for it!” said the ex-policeman. “By Jove! You don’t mean it?’ “ Sure of it, str.” “Well, let’s have Bennett up-stairs and hear what he thinks of it.” Angry at being disturbed at his breakfast, the head porter came grumbling to the place where 1 stood, and bending down to the lock, impatiently inquired if it was not a deal more likely the cashier had scratched it in the course of business. After a few minutes’ further inspection, he locked up with a knowing smile. “I believe Lance is right now} it looks so fresh, I shouldn’t ponder if the watchman knew something about this.” &

-"Perhaps so,” said I; “what do you think, Lance?” — - -——■' ——, — “ Well, he looks honest enough—but looks ain’t always a guide,” said the man, quietly. “Then I’ll stop in the bank to-night and see if I can trap my gentleman,” exclaimed Bennett, “ if you’ll leave me the key.” “ I can’t do that,” I replied, “ but I shall report the fact to the manager the first thing in the morning.” “As you uke, sir,” he assented reluctantly, and they both returned to their long-neglected meal. Again I retreated into my den, this time with the proud consciousness of having something important to relate when Monday morning should see the stream of busy workers once more settling with books and papers and filthy lucre generally. One—nay, two cigars did I consume down to the last half inch, read “ By les on Bills” nearly through, in default of more cheerful literature, and I am afraid a tiny doze must have ensued, as I was awakened by Bennett’s voice close to me asking what I would take for luncheon. Mechanically I fixed upon the hackneyed chop, and with it a pint of stout, to be fetched from the only eating-house that deigned to be open for a couple of hours on Sunday. While he was gone I took the opportunity of making my second round, and found nothing but peace everywhere, with the slight exception of being startled by the sudden appearance of the bank cat from the cavernous depths of the enormous coal cellar. Eventually I returned to my room and found a succulent chop smoking upon the table, flanked by a pewter pot of foaming stout, which, on tasting, I found unusually soft and creamy—indeed, I fancied I could detect a peculiar aroma in the grateful beverage which seemed to make it more than ordinarily palatable; anyhow I thoroughly enjoyed the repast, and when an Intensely slumberous sensation crept through all my veins, my strongest effort or will proved insufficient to keep me awake. While I was still struggling against the impulse, Lance came to inform me that he was going out to dine at Ids home close by, while Bennett was left on guard below. As he closed the door behind him, my eyes shut, and I fell asleep, but only in a few moments to be re-awakened by his voice again addressing me. “1 don’t think I’ll go out to dinner, sir,” said he, gazing at me with a strange expression. “Whynot?” quoth I, drowsily. “Well, sir, I don’t feel very bright to-day, and I’d rather stop indoors; and if you’d be so kind as not to mention to Bennett as I’ve come back. But you don’t look very well yourself, sir, just now?” “ Lance, that stout has made me most confoundedly asleep!” “ Well, have a bit of a nap, sir. I’ll see the place is all right—only I don’t want Bennett to know I’m here.” “AU right, all right,” I replied, rather shortly, for I wanted to be left to myself; yet I was somewhat surprised at his wish for concealment in so trivial a matter.

? Again I saw the man pass out and artiy close the door, and once more drifted into a heavy but pleasant slumber. Soon I was a denizen of dreamland, and a sharer in its grotesque and fantastic imaginings. I thought I was clinging to the telegraph wires that stretch like webs over London, and performing thereon athletic feats in impossible positions; then I flew through the air toward my home at Wood Green, spinning, as I went, a thread of wire by which to return—a useless precaution, as I was at once transported to the Desert of Sahara, where I found myself on a camel’s back, careering across the burning plain. But in my dreams the face of the camel was the face of the ex-police-man loanee, and ever and anon strange grating noises seemed to> be borne past us on the wind. Thb pace seemed to slacken; and, as! spurred on my steed to fresh exertions, I seemed to feel the prick of the rowel in my own flesh. It became sharper and more painful; and gradually camel, desert, chase, faded from my vision, and the bank once again dawned on my awakening senses. Butthough my aerial steed and his surroundings had all disappeared, the spur, unaccountably enougn, remained, as my nether limbs were painfully reminding me. It was no dream this time—l was wideawake. Quickly glancing around, I discovered Lance crouching down beside my chair, and vigorously applying a pin to the calf pf my leg. To this proceeding I was about to enter an indignant protest, when a significant gesture warned me to remain mute. His face was white with unwonted excitement, as he rose to bis feet, and beckoning mo to a small aperture in the for the transmission of books and papers between, managers and clerks, baae medook upon a spectacle that m>de each individual hair upon aiy head to stand erect Il>e drawer containing the stamps and gold was being tampered with before my very eyes in broad daylight Stooping down with his back toward us Was a man softly but swiftly forcing the lock 1 with a chisel. But the man—the thief —who was he? I knew at a glance ■teat long, lean form, ft was Bennett. We both shrank back. “Take off your boots, sir,” he Whispered in a low voice. I noticed that ni’own feet were shoeless. “Creep

round outside the counter, andwait till I give the word—then over and help me." I nodded assent; and then I saw Lance crawl out upon his hands and knees into the office, behind the shelter of a long high desk, *t the " end of which he would be Within a few feet bi Bennett I crept away to the other entrance of the managers’ room, which led into a large space appropriated to the public, and, gliding noiselessly along, 1 arrived where I knew 1 must be opposite the thief at bis - work. Click, click, went the chisel against the brass look. It was apparently a work of time and. difficulty, though the sound of crushing woodwork betokened the near accomplishmentof the deed. How long the time seemed! Had Lance been able to get dose to him updiscovy-. ered? r ■ . L ■ ■' I judged so, aS the chisel still continued its grating work. Sometimes it stopped for a moments and then I knew that the man was watching the door of the managers’ room, to see I wag safe under the influence of the narcotic administered in my pint of stout. Click, dick, crunch! and the whole tonk, appeared to come away, the draper being at the same time drawn qoftly open. “Now,” thought I, “ here goes.” Not yet! I could hear the mellow chink of the small bags of gold as they were hurriedly transferred totbe man's, pockets; then the stiff rustle of many sheets of stamps told of a like destination. I listened breathlessly. Suddenly there was a yell of mfagletf fright and rage, and, vaulting at one Jwuni across lb 6 counter, 1 ! law BStfhdct falling backward, his throat clutched by the practiced hands of, the ex-police-man, who held on with a will, having sprung upon him silently from behind The half-strangled man struggled like a fiend, dealing me several ugly kicks with his long Tegs as I attacked him from the front. But the odds were toomany, and furthermore he had been taken by surprise. In a few moments he wae overpowered, andJjis hands and feet were securely fastened. Not a word had been uttered since the commencement of the conflict, now Lance looked up and said in a stern voice: "’cr■& •

“Got the scoundrel at last—next thing’s a pieaceman. Will you go, str, or shall IP” Here there was’ a fierce attemptzto free himself by the prostrate thief. “ Perhaps I’d better stop with him,” continued Lance; “ ybu’B get a Constable in a minute at the station in Old Jury.” Seizing my hat, I was off ini a twinkling, ana returned in double-quick time to the bank, accompanied by a stalwart member of the city police. A few moments saw the policeman, myself and our chopfallen prisoner marching quietly to the station, where I-left him to the solitude of a cell till Monday morning. On my return to the bank, the night wafohman had arrived, and I prepared'ttfgo hbmei “Why, Isaac, you must have suspected the beggar before this,” 1 exclaimed. . “ I’ve thought it sometimes, sir,” he laughed. “ Knew I should ; cop him some day.” Then, with a frown: “Mean, sneaking skunk! I believe he meant to try to put it on to me or the watchman here.” “Well, all’s well that ends well, Lance, and it was a clever catch of yours. We have a nice stqry for Mr. Spoffort-h to-morrow. Good night.” “ Good night, sir.” When I walked into the bank next morning, I found the story was already known. Little knqts of men were eagerly discussing the event, and I as well as Lance soon became the center of an animated crowd. At eleven o’clock I was summoned to the board room, to the committee of Directors, who complimented me upon the capture, as if I, and not Lance, had been the hero of the day. In the morning newspapers there Was a graphic account of the “ Great Bank Robbery,” concocted by some übiquitous penny-a-liner, which my wife read and To-read with mingled pleasure and alarm. Bennett was eventually sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment, which we all considered far too lenient a judgment. The ex-policeman, came in for the head messenger’s berth, with a house rent free and a present of fifty pounds. In addition to very much unmerited praise, I received a bonus of a hundred pounds, which contributed in no small degree to the satisfaction of the household at Wood Green.—English Magazine. .