The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-09
OF Thieves.

made the discovery it almost broke his
parents heart. However, after some
trouble the matter was compromised.
The father paid the money, and some
mitigation Of sentence was effected. With
the stain upon him he started ont TO re-
deem his character if he could. After
wandering about for some time he OBJ
tanned q situation in New Orleans as entry
clerk, and at the end of a year saw a fair
prospect Of achieving success. His en-
ployers had confidence in him, and he
had made numerous reputable acquaint-
ances.
One day while on the sidewalk super
intending the shipment of some goods one
of these New York men came along.
"Halloo! you here?"
Yes" said this young man with his
heart in his mouth.
What are you doing:"
Trying to earn an honest living!"
1t seems incredible, but it is true. The
officer went straight into the store.
One week later the young man was in
New York.
God knows" he said, Il tried as
hard as anybody could to be honest, but
its no use!''
Of course a detective who had the
slightest notion OF his obligation as a man
to society, to say nothing OF his duty as
an officer, would not have made this mis-
take.
And that reminds me of another case
which ought TO teach even police officers
that discretion and kindness are not with
out fruits even in this business.
Everybody in the force remembers
Johnny Mas. He was a pickpocket and
belonged TO a mob that worked on the
West Side. How he got into the company
of these people it would be hard to tell.
But he was an adroit and rather amiable
thief who scarcely ever caused the force
any trouble, 1t was customary in the days
Of the Metropolitan police to lock up all
the ~pickpockets and guns when there
was 10 be a great celebration or process
sion. They were merely ordered to the
central Office, and there kept till the city
was restored to its usual quiet. Johnny
Mas only needed to be told to go
to headquarters to report himself there
promptly. He was a young man, rather
slight in build, and somewhat taciturn.
To the surprise of the Superintendent
he came to the office one afternoon and
inquired when all the special men would
be in. He was told he could see them in
the morning. When the morning came
he was there. After the roll was called
the Superintendent said: Now, Johnny,
the men are all here if you want to speak
to them"
He got up from the corner in which he
was sitting, and wringing out his cap with
his two hands proceeded to address them
in a faltcring and abashcd manner:
"Wcll, you see, I've concluded to
square it, You've been pretty rough on
me for some time, and I've got a sister
that's got the heart disease, and she's took
it into her head that she'd live a bit longer
if as how I'd do the right thing, and l
told her I'd make a try of it; and if you
menll gimme a hand, why, l don't mind
making it "A 90. | don't want TO git the
cholera no more, and if the gail live a
bit longer on my account l am wilIin'."
All the men went up and shook hands
with him. and it was agreed that he
shouldn't have 1.-THE cholera unless he
broke through his resolution.
About a year after that, in the dead of
a severe winter, the Superintendent was
coming through Crosby street into Block
or, and he met Johnny Mas. The fellow
was dressed in a thin bombazine coat.
He was collarless, and his feet were out,
and he looked hungry, pinched and
wretchcd.
I'm glad you've kept your word,
Johnny. But it's going pretty hard with
you, l suppose, to be honcst:"
Awful hard, sir" said Johnny; but
I told her l would, and I did,
That's right. Don't you go back on
your word. Stick it out. You'll have
better times by and by"
Don't you see that bank over there?'
said the young man, pointing to the mar
bic building in Blocker street. We'll
there amt money enough in that place to
make me go back. I'd rather 20 cold
and hungry and not be hunted-so l
would"
The nextsummeron Of the Long Branch
hotel proprictors sent up to the Superin-
tendent for a man to keep an eye on the
thieves that hang around a watering-place.
81 can get you a man." said the Super
intendent, thinking Of Johnny, but I'm
bound to tell you he's been a Thief
"Then | don't want him"
Then the Superintendent told the story
l have told, only he told it better.
Send him down" said the landlord.
"A chap that will do that ought to be
helped"
1t was twenty-five dollars a week TO
Johnny, and it made a man of him.
During that season there wasn't a rob
berry committed at the Branch. Johnny
stationed himself at the railroad depot,
and when he saw a former pal he warned
him off. Its no use" he would say; Il
don't want to pipe none o. you boys, and |
amt goin' to do ii if you stay away. If
you come here it will be awful rough on
both of us"
And to their credit, it ought to be said,
they always went back.
If had been in the sentimental or the
moral waythere is one thing | should have
done.
Do you know what that is?
! should like TO have known that sister
that had the heart disease.
One other thing: I'd like to give you
the name of that Superintendent, but I'd
have to ask him first, and that's impossi
l1n