The Kanzas news., 1858-04-10
My Gold Watch.
BY JOHN RAwLIS, POLICEMAN.

i never got sold, professionally, Dut once,
and that was by Bill Safton, the forger,
pickpocket, member of the London swell
mob, etc. He was an adroit rogue, and at
the period of the transaction l am about to
narrate, had more confidence in human
nature than / have been able to retain in a
long experience with knaves and rascais
since that time.
The signature of a prominent mercantile
firm had been affixed to check for fourteen
hundred and fifty dollars and odd cents
the latter item probably annexed to make it
look regular business transaction.
The forgery was fortunately discovered a
few hours after the bank had paid the check,
the teller having an after-suspicion that all
was not right. The check was placed in
my hands by member of the firm, to
whose counting room had been summoned.
1t was not a very good imitation, and l
wondered that the teller had not suspected
the mischief before. But the chance of
catching the rascal was excellent, for the
paper had been forged at their desk, and
before their own eyes.
'tHe was the most impudent scoundrel L
ever met" said Mr.. Lowe. "You see the
desk there? ?'
It was large, understanding desk
Upon the inner side was a writing table, at
which Mr.. Lowe usually sat.
'tHe presented me a letter of introduction
from our London correspondent, contin-
ued Mr.. Lowe. 81 gave him a cordial
greeting, and he sat down by my side, and
we chatted familiarly for half an hour. He
then asked me several questions concerning
various localities in the city, and seemed
very particular in regard to the name of a
firm with whom he declared he had bust
ness He rose from his chair and went to
the desk on the other side, sand wrote down
the directions l gave him, as / supposed.
Our eheck-book was open upon the desk,
and instead of writing the directions, he
must have filed out the check. The sig
nature of the firm was attached to several
papers near him, so that he had a copy To-
write from. Still talking to me, he tore off
what now believe was the check, and put
it into his pocket
''How do you know he did this ?''
Because ] missed check, and this just
fits where the lost one was torn out. The
number is all right
s'Will you let me see the check-book ?''
Mr. Lowe complied, and carefully scru-
tinized the page. On one of the checks l
found peculiar impression, which must
have been made by the sharp corner of a
ring, worn upon the little finger. The mark
extended across the page, and having by
trial assured myself that it was made by the
person who had written the forged check. 1
took my leave, after entering in my memo
randum book a particular description of the
rogue.
I satisfied myself as to what manner he
must have held his pen to make so strong
an impression with the ring. The hand
must have been turned over to the right,
and the scratchy appearance of the writing
confirmed my view.
It was now four o'clock in the afternoon.
Knowing he must be magnificent rascal,
/ went directly to the fremont House, and
examined the registry. To my satisfaction,
l found that sharp scratch-mark of the ring
upon the book. Taking the pen, meas
ured the distance, in order to determine
which name bad been written by him, and
fixed upon that of &c. Donaldson"
l inquired for the gentleman, and learned
that he was just starting for New York
He was very much engaged, and the clerk
had orders to deny him to his friends. But
such frieHd as / was could not be denied.
went up to his room and knocked. He
came to the door himself, and was satisfied
that he was the forger.
"You are my prisoner" I remarked,
taking the bracelets out of my pocket.
"Eh ?" said he eoolly, as he stepped out
of the room, and closed the door behind
him.
Iagain stated my business, and he laughed
in my face. told him it was no use land
by the way, this is a stereotyped phrase for
such occasions.
..of course. Mr., hav'nt the pleas
ure of knowing your name, sir
'.Rawlin."
'.Of course, Mr.. Rawlin, I viii go with
you. But this is serious charge, and my
character is worth more to me than the
merchants money Is to him. viii go
with you; but excuse me while l tell my
sister that business viii detain me another
day m the city"
mo. you DON'T" said 1 grasping him by
the collar.
!" "'Pon my soul. you're uncommon sus-
picious. You can see what a shock it.
would be to my sister to learn of my ar
rest
al viii enter with you
sAnd frighten the poor girl out of her
senses can explain it to her so that she
viii not suspect the cause of my detention.
Poor thing, she is very nervous. The
shock would kill her. Of course I shall
return In q little time, when you are salts
fed of your mistake