Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-01

REMARKABLB SHREwDNEss OF A DETECTIVE.
Il WelL-kn0t0n Citizen Mistaken for q Oou1-
terfeiter.-One of our detectives, who has at
tanned reputation for shrewdness-which
we believe to be much greater than his
desert-arrested well-known citizen few
days ago at the Burnet House upon a charge
of counterfeiting. He had received a war
rant authorizing him to apprehend a man
named Guthridge, who had been practicing
upon the citizens of Seymour, by exchang-
ing spurious bank-bills for genuine ones,
until they became indignant and determined
to be revenged.
Armed with this writ, the officer lounged
about the street-corners, hotels, railway
depots, and other public places in the city,
until he met the individual to whom we have
referred, and who is as extensively known
as the Ten Commandments, and as uni
versally esteemed as Public Opinion.
This person, whom we will call Joe, was
very well acquainted with the officer, and
when he touched him on the shoulder and
requested few minutes conversation with
him, the answer was, "How are you Sam?
Certainly and the pair being in the ro-
tunda of the Burnet, stepped to one side
that they might not be overheard by the
bystanders, when a conversation somewhat
like the following took place:
Officer-( Looking steadily at Joe. )-Ain't
your name Guthridge2
Joe-(Laughing. SGuthridge? Oh yesl
my names Guthridge-neVer was any thing
else.
Oficer-When did you leave Seymour
Joe becoming interested .)-Several
years ago; but why do you ask2
0fficer-(With self-satisfed air. )-Yes
You're the man Pm after. I'll trouble you
to go with me.
Joe-(Still more interested. .)-Go with
your Where? What do you meanY never
lived at Seymour.
Oficer-Nothing; only I've a warrant for
your arrest, and you will oblige me by ac-
companying me.
joe Considerably alarmed. why Sam,
you're joking. This has gone far enough.
Come take drink.
oficer-NOt just now, thank you. Will
you go2
Joe-PshawI Don't you know meP Ny
name isn't Guthridge; it is Joe -.
Oficer-This description is much too
plain. | can't be mistaken. I've been look
ing for you more than q week, and you
can't fool me now with your laughing.
know all about that dodge-Pve been there.
Joe now became really annoyed, but it
was in vain that he assured the officer he was
mistaken. The house, he said, was full OF
his acquaintances, and twenty persons could
be found in ten minutes who would be will
ing to swear not only that his name was
not Guthridge, but, also, that he was no
counterfeiter.
AT this moment, one of the proprietors of
the Burnet came up, and Joe requested him
to tell the detective who he was. Mine host
| looked at him for an instant, and thinking
some Jest was intended, smiled, and said,
''why don't know you" and walked away.
The officer was now more than ever con-
WINGED that he had found the Seymour
counterfeiter, and was in the act of carrying
his prisoner to the station-house, when some
| parties came up who knew both the per-
secuted "Joe," and his evil genius, the de-
tective, and by their aid he was released
4 from custody. -....-...
For the first time, the policeman now re.
cognized the man whom he had arrested
! and remembered him as an old acquaintance
His manner was, Of course, Immediately
changed, and with most comical expression
I of chagrin, disappointment and sheepishness
he exclaimed, "Sold, by Cd, and ldisap
! peared.
: The real counterfeiter, whom Joe re
sembled only in the clothing he happened
to wear, has not yet been discovered; ant
all that Is now necessary TO make the detec
tive suddenly remember an engagement in
remote part of the city, is TO ask him if he /
acquainted with man named Guthridge
who formerly infested the little town Q
Seymour.