A Chicago Story of a Desparate Affair.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 723, 3 February 1877, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Chicago Story of a Despar ate Affair.

A pew days ago, about dusk, a stranger called at the residence of a bank cashier m St. Louis, and, introducing himself, said he desired some private conversation on business of importance. The cashier thereupon led him to a 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 twic'&j then said ; ' 'Being -the ■. cashier ■.< of this here financial institution, of course you keep the key of the safe ?' „ The cashier said he did. 'And you know about the bank robbers that go round and tie and gag cashiers and their families, and with pistols at their heads compel them to give up the keys ?' The cashier said 'he did. ■ 'And you've heard about the Davenport Brothers, and the Spiritualists and things ?' The cashier said he had. .'.'■ 'Now/ said the stranger, .'l've been studying up the whole business, and I've found out ho w to overcome them. ' 'You' don't say so.' 'Yes, sir. For Sdols.. l will impart to youa secret which may. at some future time save your life, and the funds intrusted to your care. I will show you how to untie any series of knots, however complicated ; to remove a gig from your mouth, and, m fact> to set yourself free. I can release myself m 2min. 14|sec, and with a week's practise I'lLbet that you can show better than 3 mm. . 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 soon as they've taken the key and gone, why you just let yourself loose and- give the alarm. The cashier said it was a remarkable invention. : ; : ' You ;bet it is,' said the inventor, . ' and as I never take any money for it till my customers are satisfied of my honesty m 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 m five minutes, and express your satisfaction with the process, I'll give you lOdols. If you find that I am a man of my word, you'll pay me 5d01.' The cashier said that nothing could be fairer. ' Another thing continued the visitor ; ' I'm a poor man, and this secret is my only stock-in-trade, so I'll ask you not lo teach any one else how to do it, for that would spoil my business.' The cashier consented to this arrangement 'Take this lOdol. bill,', said the other. 'If I. fail, you keep it ; if you are satisfied, you will return it to me with another sdol. And now this is how we do it.' So sayin g he took a roll of cord and a gag from his pockets and with great dexterity tied that cashier hand and foot, and gagged him so that he could not wink. Now you are tied pretty firmly, ain't, you ? You wouldn't think you would ever get loose, would you ?' The cashier looked the replies he could not speak. ' I 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 m three seconds I'll cut your throat from ear to ear. 1 beg youv pardon; you can't, but I'll take it myself. It's no trouble,' and turning that cashier over on his back like a turtle, he took the key. 'I won't take your pocket-book,' he said,' for the lOiol. is yours, as I don't think you will be able to get loose m five minutes, or five hours either. So long, sonny,' arid with a courteous bow he quitted the apartment and proceeded to the bank, which 'he rifled as completely and leisurely as if he had been one of the directors. -The sad event has cast quite a gloom ov ; j?r the community.