Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-05-27
NO. 8.

eft that was to come Of it, or at least the Ii
on's share, so | resolved to keep my own
counsel, and make up the case as best | could
in my own room.
Joe was coming back on the next day Bill
(my new acquaintance and the boys had
been having good pick;ngs, and they would
probably be there to morrow at four, if the
real Joe did not come round before and clear
up, or add to- the mystery Of oday. Joe
evidently mnst be headed off, or the other
pigeons would scatter before they could be
bagged. II was my main interest, having no
local responsibility in the matter to bag the
| thousand dollars and Joe. But rs the street
had two ends to ii, and the bagging must be
done where it would not frightcn the other
| game, began to see ! must have help even
AZ tho outset; so | sensib|y concluded 10 lay
the whO'e affair before the chief and have
men enough detailed to insure successes. The
case was so plain that there seemed to be bat
one plan, and in that we all agreed, namely
to make arrangements that evening to have
me stationed in n grocery store on the first
corner of the street from the saloon, with two
or three assistants, and rs many more placed
| in the corner drug store down the street so
as to arrest Joe before lie met his pals, and
| by putting him in close carriage we might
! take him off so quietly that nobody would
| hear of it. A Few men were to be stationed
| in private house opposite the saloon, to
make descent if they saw unnatural com
motion about there before the appointed hour.
| But otherwise all were to concentrate when
! .hc hour arrived, and arrest whoever might
be present.
! One hour before daylight.we were in our
| places, not to attract attention by going there
attcrward. 1t was a long, drcary forenoon.
| We fancicd we saw now and then SuSpi.
cious person passing, but no moro perhaps
than we might expect to see on any other
street in the city. Noon came. Crackers
and raisins had been disposed Of in our gro.
Gerry, and yctmy double had not made his
appearance. Whether they had taken him
at the drug store we did not know but sup.
posed our chance to lac much the best.
While we were discussing these probabili-
! ties with eyes all tho time directed to the
street, my comrades in ono voice cried ont,
There he comes T. and dashed ont to arrest
him mcauttmo pcrSSting it was mot the
man-no rcSl mHancc- hold on But Of
no use. They had him in the carriage in a
twinklng, and all hnt two were back in the
store so soon that our conversation need
hardly have been interrupted only MS this
episode served 20 give it n new direction
"As near alike as twin brothers, except
the clothes. Not a doubt Of it," they all
avcrred.
But had still TO confess n great many
doubts, as did not see the slightest rcScm-
blanco. l. who had seen myself for thirty
odd years, ought 20 know better how look
ed than they who had not seen me so many
hours. Hut the sequel will tell who knew
best. Four O'Clock came. and as by agree
inent, we concentrated in front and rear Of
lianscomb's saloon. took my place in the
rear whilo most of tho local stars dashed in
to the den. We had only moment to wait
before six or eight of the gang came rushing
past us in their efforts to escape Our squad
gave instant chase. My friend Of yesterday
being the only one recognized, received my
especial attention. Following him around
tho corner at the top Of my speed, | was
surprised for the instant to see him slackcn
his pace as though waiting for me to come
up.
Bully, Joe we've lodged them this time
ANYHOW"
The precise state of the case was evident
Without waiting Cor an answer, he went on
hurricdly: .
jerks saw nc, and knows where I live,
and this viii arouse his suspicious. IN wa,
ger he'll be around to No. 81 before night (;
aud those traps must be moved, or wen be
certain to lose 'en."
Move 'cm it's" said I; and on we went,
running where we thought it safe, and max,
ing good time all the way--mv companion a
little in advance, aud wondering what made
me so laggard
| n in NJ
GroYo street. Ny friend had the latch key
! in his hand and was on the point of entering,
when procco led to diSpci his illusion by ex.
hibiting my star and demanding an uncondi-
tional surrender. He was bclligcrcnt- n tlis-
doubtful which would win, Polly or the bear;
but the disturbance soon brought several po-
liccmcn to my aid, and my late associate was
taken Off to the lookup. ...
Hearing a commo,on indoors, thought it
best to proceed al once to make an eXamua-
ton. SO we turned the key, which was still
in the lock, and walked in, without saying,
b" BY your leave madam"
| Madam met US in the hall, and demanded
our business. We blandly informed her
that we knew something Of her beautiful
mansion by reputation, and were anxious to
examine i ourselves by gas light, if she
! would be so good as TO show Us around
She protested that thcy were honest people,
that her husband was out, the hour was late,
we were no gentlemen, aud finally chat she
would thank us to leave, just rs any honest
woman would.
Bat cannot 20 into details. Suffice it to
say, we went up stairs, down stairs, aud in
the lady's chamber; and wherever we went
VIC found more goods than the most thrifty
housekccper could need Down stairs espe.
ciaIly there was perfect store Of yaluables
--enough to stock two or three variety shops
Of moderate pretensions, besides one jewel.
ry store. In the morning | sent to Smith &
Company, to come and identify their proper.
ty. In course Of the next two days, not on
! y Smith, but the representatives Of dozen
other stores which had been robbed were
there. Smith found nearly all his lost silks,
many others identified the whole or part Of
theirs, while much remained that was not
claimed by any one.
There were more than dozen taken at
the saloon, most Of whom were known to the
police; the matter was vigorously prosecnt
ed, and believe more than half were duly
convicted and sentenced in New York
But what became Of my twin brother Joe,
who had unconScious'y got these, his partic-
ular friends. into trouble2
The conclusion Of the whole matter can be
tod Briefly.
| Joe was induced to accompany me so far
as Buffalo on my return hoine, where in.
troduced him to my friend Deputy Crane,
who Immediately escorted him to the CITY
Hotel" with which had once made slight
acquaintance. Smith & Co. and the clerks,
recognized him at once, and volunteered to
see that he had justice. Deputy Crane,
Smith. Jones, and all my persistent aequaint.
ances Of month before, begged a thousand
pardons for their stupidity in thinking re
semblcd the thief. Bot more acceptable was
Smiths check for the promised reward. and