The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-16
A CLEVER CAPTURE.

a well-kuown inspector of the detective
force once related 10 US clever capture,
effected by himself, of q daring thief, VINO
had more than once escaped from prison.
The inspector had had considerable exper'
ience, aud tracked hts man TO q low pubhc
house; and, under pretense OF being an old
thief him self, threw his companion oil his
guard by relating anecdotes. He was un
armed himself and knew that the real bur
elar-who was known to the fraternity as
Bill the Cracksman"-had q revolver in his
breast pocket, with the use of which he WAS
thoroughly nc quaiuted; aud the question
was how to arrest him single handed. Story
followed story, and "reminiscences, reminis-
cence, until Bill and his companion-who
called himself Jerry Blake--became as thick
as members of the formers profession are
proverbially supposed TO become
Now" said Mr.. Blake, after a pause las
last bit of anecdote, III show you hsw Joe
the Ilnman was took. He'd sworn as there
wasn't any man in the colony or out of it
would take him single hsnded. Well as the
reward Tor his capture heavy one, q
chap named simmons, who IVES then out OF
the mounted police, determined TO try u on
So what does he do, knowing some OF '6f
haunts, but brides q stockman, who h'eu IN
a lonely hut on the side OF deep euiiy /
among the hills. TO let BIN take Pos7essiol
of the place for week or so. II was nut
wbere iJoe was accustomed to call when he
wanted to pick up news, or 10 get tresh |
unnply OF rum, for the stockman had been |
convic. like himself, and pal of his;
bu. pal or no pal, he sold Joe this time, and
no mistake
al d have blown his brains OUT if I'd been
Ipa - Obsa rvad the sraar with
oath.
- honor your sentiments, responded
Mr.. Bake; land from what know of Joe
be shared EN-. But you see, when he look
ed IN one night at the hut, no stockman was
there; but III his place Summons, looking The
very pIcEur OF "a rough shepherd, was seated
over the ire, making MS tea and cooking
damper.
''Hslloh! where's the stockman here?' asked
Joe, stalking into the hut and approaching
the fire; for Joe want ateared OF the devil
himself Besides, he was all stuck round
VITA six shooters and bowie knives, so that
he was a caution to look at
Where the stockmsu?' says he.
simmons only looked up for minute,
then went on cooking the dgmper.
Hes gone
leone where-dead?
'"Pretty nigh it. Hes down at the sta
ton with marsh fever. I've been ordered
up here IN his place
"Aud who may you be, mate, when you re
at home?' asked Joe, savAgely, for be was
disappointed at losing his friend
Nv hen I'm at home said Simmons, still
busy with his damper; If home means Eng
lsad, might be lord mayor or chancellor Of
the exchequer, for any chance l have OF get
no. x tbar hnt batr I
I'm only jalbird, like you, mate
Joe, who wasn't accustomed to bold
speaking of this kind, stepped back g pace
two, and laid his hand on six shooter.
''Who do you take me for ?' he asked,
with al oath.
IL don't take you for any one out your
proper or your improper self, said Sim
mons. quite unmoved, aud filling two tin
mugs with TIE sweetened tea.
" And who am | .
Joe the Tinman.
Joe handled his pistol as one pared
for action, but Simmons burst into
laugh.
"Leave Off handhog your barking iron,
he said, and take that mug Of tea. I'd al
wise YOU to put taste of rum in It, for the
nights nipper You know where the
bottle IS, so make no bones about it. When
Old Mike that vas the name of the stock
man sent me up here in his place, he didn't
forget TO say who were his friends and best
customers.
'All this was said in SO easy and comfort
abe way that the bushrsnger was thrown
Off his guard and no wonder, for Simmons
was tall. thin young fellow at that time,
and tie Tinnan. besides being armed 10
the teeth, was middle aged, short, thick set
and with the muscular development of Il
bull. The hut was miles away from any
other hahitation, and the night what with
wind and rain, was screamer.
$50, Joe the Tinman, and Simmons the
trap, sat down 10 their tea together, and a
Jolly night, I've heard, they had Of it. The
pitcher OF spirits vas filed and emptled
again and again. Songs were sung and
tales were told till the noisy revelrv within
the lonely hut al most rivgled the dszn of the
rain aud the scream OF the blast without.
Toward morning each took to hoasting
of his powers Of doing this thing that
thing, and among other things. Summons,
who'd been, when mere hoy. q sort Of
acrobat AT circus, bosgted Of his powers OF
jumping.
Now, he said 'supposing the traps
were abou. me, and you was one OF EN-, d
clear a short man like you at a bound; and,
en- like YOU to catch NE
The Iuman, who was bumptious IL his
cups, denied this.
leap over me as you say, Ia Just up with
my arms and pin your two thread paper legs
So
He illustrated his words with action, but
Simmons only laughed.
'''N Nonsense Hi skim over you as o
swallow Skins over a bit o water. You
wouldn't even touch nv shadow as |
passed
The Tinman, drinking more rum, grew
angry.
I'D like to see you try it. You're more
ola grs.shopper than properly built man,
that . what you are. Come, Ii! bet you this .
good watch that you don't Jump clean over
as stand now, back towa.d you.
Watch be hanged SAID Simmons. y /
bet you a bottle of rum against the bowie /
you've got IN your belt that / clear short
CHAP Ike you, hold up your hands "a high /
ss you can, at q Jump, only give me the run
oil n few yards
Done And drawing the bowie knife
from his belt the buahranger laid it on the
table.
Cannon r observed Bill, who ad listen
ed with much attention to the story. ITS
thing as Leotard, or any o them spriugy
chaps couldn't do
"Its only trick replied Mr. Biake-"a
mere circus trck--whicn every clown in The
ring understands. Here, III show you how
lis done in u minute that IL; I'll show you
now Simmons must have done ii. according
TO my belief"
With ready obedience Bill stood mp, and
turned his back to the operator.
Il suppose that's how the Tinman
stood p
~ should fancy Just so. Raise your arms
little above the level of your head That's
". hrANl ihL.-.- - Il !