Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1909 — Bargaining with a Burglar. [ARTICLE]

Bargaining with a Burglar.

A group of his friends were discussing William Winslow Sherman, the old banker, who died not long ago. He had the coolest nerve of any man I know,” said one. “Three or four years ago, when Sherman was an old man. and partially crippled by reason of a fall from a horse, he entered his bedroom late at night to fin'd a masked burglar ransacking It. “The thief had a big gun trained on Sherman in a minute. The banker just waved it aside with a tired hand. 'Put that away,’ he said irritably. ‘Let us discuss this matter like gentlemen.’ The burglar was so surprised he laughed. ‘Now, you could hurt me if you wanted to, and might get away with some little knick-knacks,’ said Sherman. 'But you might be caught, and there's a slight probability that you could dispose of my toilet articles profitably. What would you consider a fair cash proposition to go away?' They talked it over in all peace. “The burglar thought he ought to have |lO, but Sherman, after inquiring into the man’s habits, said $8 was enough. ‘You see,’ he said, 'you’re a known thief. If this were your first offence I’d pay you your price, but now the police have your picture you ought to be glad to accept any fair compromise and run no risk.’ “The burglar finally agreed to take SB. Sherman pulled out* a $lO bill. ‘Give me $2 change,’ said he. And he got it before he paid.”—Kansas City Star. < f