Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1884 — A Detective’s Good Job. [ARTICLE]

A Detective’s Good Job.

A detective sat on a railing on Madison street and watched the crowds of people passing to and fro. The detective appeared to be in a thoughtful mood. He devoted his attention to a cigar, on which he ohewed vigorously. A few minutes before a young fellow passed and had recognized the detective by a very slight nod and a sudden dropping of the eye. He was a welldressed young man, with a bright, honest-looking face. “I first met that young fellow under peculiar circumstances,” said the detective, after a little, “and I am glad I acted as I did, although I was a bit doubtful at the time. It was about a year ago that I was standing in a pawnshop, when a young fellow entered. He wore a little skull cap and talked in a very loud, fresh Bort of a way. * I have Borne goods here I don’t want, and I’ll sell cheap,’ he said; * I just come from New York.’ The pawnbroker looked at the goods, and, glancing at me, said he didn’t believe he wanted to buy. “ ‘You are just from New York,’l said to the young fellow, looking at the goods he had brought in. “ ‘ Yes; three days here,’ he answered, readily; ‘ but I don’t see what business it is of yours.’ “‘Perhaps it isn’t,’ I replied; 'but I’ll tell you what I think, nevertheless. It’s the noon heur now. You work in som,e wholesale house around here. You have stolen these goods, and have skipped ouo to make a little extra money. Let’s see your letters.’ "Well, he bluffed around and talked big, but finally he handed out a big pile of letters. I soon found he was working for a large wholesale house, which deals in goods similar to those he had with him. I told him I would have to arrest him. With that he caved in all of a sudden, and began to cry and beg to be let off. He said he had an old mother and a couple of sisters. He seemed so broken up that for once I kind of weakened. I hesitated a long while and thought it over carefully. I ran the risk of getting the bounce, but I decided to do it. “‘Look here, young fellow,’ I said, gruffly as could be, ‘ it all depends with yourself whether you go to the penitentiary or not. I can send you up now if I want to. Now, you do as I tell you. Take these goods back and “ sneak ” them into the store as slick as you got ’em out. Now give me your name, and here’s my card. It’s your mother that saves you this time. Now get, and remember I’m keeping an eye on you.’ “If the men at his place knew about it they would probably discharge him and lodge a complaint against me. Nevertheless, his salary was raised the first of this year, and he now holds a responsible position. I think I did a good job, after all.” —Chicago News.