The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-11-03
HUNTING A MAN Down.


1t Is very hard to make the detective UNDER
stand that he owes everything to Society. His
moral sense is never cultivated. He quite as
often prevents a criminal from reforming as
he prevents justice from oyortaking him.
Captain Young once told me Of several oases
where tho stupid indiscrction of the officer
had loaded society with outlaws. One was
that Of the well-known One-eyed Thompson,
who early in his career was saved from the
clutches of the law by some friends, who rails.
ed sum Of money for>hm and sent him out
West. lie settled in thriving town on the
border, and changing his name, made most
praiseworthy effort to become a useful men,
Der of society. He opened store, won the
respect of the townspcople, was actually made
selectman, and was in a fair way to live long
and die honored for his many virtues, when
he suddenly turned up on the streets here
again.
"Hello,' says Captain Young, " thought
you had squared it, and was out West"
Eyes l thought SO too" says Thompson
"But it was no use one of your men did my
business for me |"
1t seems that this detective, sitting on the
verandah of the new hotel opposite to the
store which the reformed man had opened
"spotted him." "Well, I'm blessed If there
isn't One-eyed Thompson. y Some of the
people guessed not. Oh, no that was Mr..
Simpson, respected and prominent citizen
"Oh, no it was, CHI? II that isn't One
eyed Thompson the burglar, then I'll 60
back and join the church,
"All up" said Thompson "I'm done for
Here am. 1t is one of your men that fixed
me !"
And SO well fixed was he that he became
the most noted law breaker of his day. 1t is
the easiest thing in the world to hunt man
down when he is trying to be honest with his
own record against him. There is case on
record of u young man in prominent dry
goods house in this city who, IN moment of
temptation, forged check on his employers
1t was a peculiarly painful affair. The lad
was well connected, and when the detectives
made the discovery it almost broke his parents
heart. However, after some trouble the mat
ter was compromised. The father paid tho
money aud some mitigation of sentence was
effected. With the stain upon him he started
out to redeem his character, IL he could. AZ
ter wandering about some time he obtained a
situation in New Orleans as entry clerk, and
at the end of one year saw fair prospect of
achieving success. Ills employers had conf
dence in him, and he had made numerous rep
utable acqnaintances.
One day while on the side walk supcrintcnd-
ing the shipment of some goods, one Of these
How York men came along.
!" IIelleol you here?"
EYES," said the 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 Off
Ger went straight into the store. One week
later the young man was In New York.
"God knows" he said, " / tried as hard as
anybody could to be honest, but it's no use y
OF course detective who had the slightest
notion Of his obligation as man to society,
to say nothing of his duty as an officer, would
not have made this mistake.
And that reminds me Of another case which
out to teach even police officers that discretion
and kindness are not without fruits even in
this business.
Everybody in the force remembers Johnny
Mas. He was pick-pocket and belonged to
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 that scarcely ever
caused the force any trouble. 1t was custom
airy in the days of the metropolitan police to
lock up all the pick pockets 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 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 some
what 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 70 them" He got up from the
corner where he was sitting, and, wringing
out his cap with his two hands, proceeded to
address them in faltering and abashed man
ner.
"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 inter her head that
she'd live bit longer If as how I'd do the
right thing, and told her I'd make try of
it and if you men II gimme hand, why ]
don't mind making it a go. don't want to
git the cholera no more, and If the gall II
live bit longer on my account am wilin'."
All the men W, mt up and shook hands with
him, and it was agreed that he shouldn't have
the cholera unless he broke through his
resolution.
About a year after that, in the dead of
severe winter, the superintendent was coming
through Crosby street into Blocker, 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,
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