The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-10-22
THE REGULAR DETECTIVE,

THE REGULAR DETECTIVE.
what HE Owes 70 society and How NE
Pays tac Debf-SOme Interesting Incl.
deRts.
A correspondent of the World, writing
of the detective system, gives the follow
ing interesting incident:
1t is very hard to make the detective
understand that he owes ANYTHING 10 So
Clety. His moral sense Is never cultivated
41e quite as often prevents a criminal
rom reforming, As he prevents Justice
from Overtaking him. Captain YOUNG
once told me of several cases where the
stupid indiscretion of the officer. had
loaded society with outlaws. One was
that of the well-known One-eved Tbomp-
son, who, early in mis- career. was saved
from the clutches of the law bv some
friends, who raised a sum of money for
INN and sent him out west. He settled
In thriving town on the border, and
changing his name, made most praise
worthy effort to become useful member
ol society. He opened a store. won the
respect OF the tOWns-peOple, was actually
maze selectman, and was i'm a fair wav to
live long and die honored for his many
virtues, when suddenly he turned up on
the streets here again.
Hallo!' says Captain Young. "T
thought YOU had squared it and was
out west?"
Yes; | thought so too" saws Tbomp-
son. but it was no use: one of yoIr
men did my business for metz
1t seems that this detective, sitting on
the varanda of the new hotel, opposite to
the store which the reformed man had
opened, "spOtted him." .'WeU. I'm
blessed If there isn't 'one-eyed Thomp-
son. Some of the peoplcd guessed not.
Oh, no. that was Mr.. Simpson. respec-
ted and prominent citizen.
ooh no! it was, eh? If that isn't
'one-cyed Thompson the burglar, then
I'll 60 back and join the churchr'
"a IL up, says Thompson; "Pm done
Tor. Here ] am, captain. 1t was one of
your men that fixed metz
And 50 well fixed was he that he be-
came the most noted law-braker of his
day.
1t Is the easiest thing in the world to
hunt man down when he is irving to
be honest with his own record against
him.
There Is case on record of a Young
man IN prominent dry goods house in
this city who, in moment of temptation.
forged check on his EMPLOYERS. 1t was
peculiarly painful affair. The lad was
well connected, and when the detectives
made the discovery it almost broke his
parents hearts. However, after some
trouble the matter was compromised.
1he father paid the money. and some
mitigation of sentence was effected
With the stain upon him he started out
TO redeem his character, if he could.
After wandering about for some time he
obtained situation in New Orleans as
entry clerk, and at the end of the wear
saw fair prospect of achieving success
His employers had confidencein him. and
ne nad made numerous reputable ac-
QUaintanccs.
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, hut it is true.
The officer went straight into the store.
One week later the young man was in
New York.
God knows" said he. Il tried as
hard As anybody could to be honest. but
it's no uscI"
OF course a detective who had the
slightest notion of his obligations as a
man TO society, to say nothing of his
duty rs an officer, would not have made
this mistake.
And that reminds me of another case
which ought to teach even police officers
that discretion and kindness are not
without fruits even i'm 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 amiablc thief that scarcely ever
caused the force any trouble. 1t was
customary in the days of the metropol
tan pc. ice to lock up all the pickpocEets
and guns when there was to be a
great celebration or procession. They
were merely ordered to the central office.
and there kept until the city was re-
stored to its usual quiet. Johnny Mas
only needed to be told to 60 to head
quarters to report himself there promptly.
lie was young man, rather slight in
build, and somewhat taCituTn.
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 sneak
to them"
He got up from the corner in which he
was sitting, and wringing out his can
with his two hands, proceeded to address
them in faltering and abashed manner:
Well you see, I've concluded to
square it. You've been pretty rough on
me for some time, and I've got sister
that's got the heart disease. and she's
took 1t inter her head that she'd live
bit longer if as how I'd do the right
thing, and l told her I'd MAKE a trv of
it; and if you men IL gimme a hand
why ! don't mind maxim it a 90. don't
want to get the cholera no more. and
if the gal II live bit longer on nv ac-
count / am willin'"
All the men went up and shook hands
Ia him, and it was agreed that he