Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-03-31

himself He is dangerous fellow;
though they do say that he is not
quarrelsome that he seldom lays the
weight of his powerful arm on any one.
unless in self-defense, or to avenge
some real or fancied wrong that he is
always ready to defend the defense
less: that he receives the blessings Of
the widow and the orphan, the sick
and the helpless, among whom he di-
vides large sums of gold. the receipts
Of the gaming table or robbed from the
wealthy But this is only hearsay /;
we have no desire to learn the truth hy
personal acquaintance"
"On the trail at last" said Henry.
If this O'Neal could upset squad of
police, he is the same. who could hold
a young grizzly to the ground, while
old Ben, knitted the critter Our rout
now lie. in the direction Of Captain
] DAhus otlire.
What success, gentlemen" was
the Captains inquiry.
I'VE are on the track" answered
Henry but Captain. do YOU recollect
the exploit of one Corney, a policeman.
about one year ago."
Indeed do" laughed the Captain.
Poor Corney hasn't forgotten it yet,
will warrant you for he is jeercd at
yet, by the boys and street scum on
account OF it. Blu; your man is Luke
O'Neal. while ours was called Tom.
pNally. or Tom Ally"
'Ay. said Hosford, III has been Tom
Alley. Ben Cooley. Luke O'Neal. and
now. we are in quest of Edmund Bran.
ford. which, We believe, is his real
name
VERY likely" answered Captain
Bakus such knaves have no end 10
their aliases,
But concerning this O 'Nally-I have
reason 10 believe that he is employed
by one Van Pool, the proprietor of a
gambling concern, as utterer of bogus
paper, bad gold. and the like. also 70
take charge Of other branches pertain
Ing 10 thieves of that sort. | have
laid many traps 10 catch them; hut
they have always proved too cunning
Van Pool is the cunningest old fox OF
all. Were he not so close and suspi-
cious he would bc the very man to mp
ply 10 for information concerning
O'Neal.
IL twould be no use for me to attempt
ger. by throwing him of his guard, in
some familiar or confidential manner.
might, perhaps. worm somewhat from
him.
Il shall try. at any rate returned
Hosford
Are you skilled in the use of the
gambler 5 favorite Instrument
a pack Of cards don't know one
card from another
If You could manage to let Van
Pool apparently draw you into a game,
in which he would be winner, it would
have wonderful effect in lubrIcating
his bivalves but he is close mouthed
rascal anyhow.
Sailors are all card-players' said
Charles. Il think | can manage that
part.
Here continued the detective. TAX
ing from drawer handful Of coin.
sis some bogus gold. which captured
in one of their dens.
They are well executed pieces, and
would almost defy the scrutiny of the
connterfeiters themselves. You NAV
take along a few hundred dollars of
the worthless stuff to play of against
Van Pool. 1t will be fair thing to
pay him in his own coin.
Van Pool was in capital good hmnor.
A small pile Of gold, which he had
fieeced from an up-country miner, Law
L hn tnh Lnr
understood many of the secret tricks
practiccd by professional gamblers;
and he was amused, as well as inter-
ested. TO observe how easily the fool
and his money parted company.
You shali~have my bogus gold said
he to himself; but you will have to
lay your traps little keener than you
do now.'
Alter the countryman had eased his
pockets and left, Van Pool turned his
keen, gray eyes upon Charles, with
searching glance, then, apparently
satisfied with his scrutiny, he carelessly
asked if he would like to lay down an
equal amount with that on the table.
You seem to be doing successful
business. ! am little afraid of you,'
was the reply.
oh. l am by no means profession
al; play an occasional game for mere
amusement-a few dollars stake, just
to give zest to the pleasure, you know.