, 1876-06-02
Hunting a Man Down.

criminal from reforming as he prevents
instice from overtaking him. Captain
Young once told me of several cases
where the stupid indiscretion of the Off
eer had loaded society with outlaws
One was that of the we'll known One
eved Thompson, who early in his career
was saved from the clutches of the law
bv some friends, who raised q sum of
money for him and sent him out West.
He settled in a thriving town on the
border, and, changing his name, made
most praiseworthy effort to become a
nseful member of society. He opened
a store, won the respect of the towns
people, was actually made selectman,
and was in a fair way to live long and
die henored for his many virtues, when
he suddenly turned up on the streets
here again.
"Halloo," says Captain Young. AZ
thought you had squared it and was
out West.
Eyes, 1 thought so too, >" says Thomp-
Hon, "But it was no use one of your
men did my business for me-"
II seems that this detective, sitting on
the yeranda of the new hotel opposite
the store which the reformed man had
onened. "spotted him." "Well, I'm
blessed if there isn't One-eyed Thomp-
sonr Some of the people guessed not.
Oh. no! that was Mr.. Simpson, q re-
spectable and prominent citizen.
"Oh, hoi it was, eh? If that isn't
One-eyed Thompson, the burglar, then
I'll go back and join the church"
"All up" said Thompson. I'm done
for. Here am, captain. 1t was one
of your men that fixed me"
And SO we'll fixed was he that he be-
came the most noted law-breaker of his
day. 1t is the easiest thing in the world
to hunt a man down when he is trying
to be honest with his own record against
him. There is q case on record of
young man in a prominent dry goods
house in this city, who, in a moment of
temptation, forged q check on his en-
ployers. 1t was q 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. The 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 a situation in
New Orleans as entry clerk, and at the
end of the year saw fair prospect Of
achieving success. His employers had
confidence in him, and he had made nu-
merous reputable acquaintances.
One day while on the sidewalk super
intending the shipment of some goods,
one Of these New York men came along.
"Hallool you here?"
"Yes," said the young man, with his
heart in his mouth.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to earn an honest living"
It 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, "I tried as
hard as anybody could to be honest, but
it's no usel" OF course detective who
had the slightest notion of his obliga-
ton as a 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 ought to teach
even police officers that discretion and
kindness are not without fruits even in
this business.
Every body in the force remembers
Johnny Mas. He was pickpocket and
belonged to a mob that worked 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. It was the custom in the
days Of the metropolitan police to lock
up all the pickpockets and "guns" when
there was to be q 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 somewhat Ia
citurn.
To the surprise of the superintend-
emit 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 morn
ing 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 his cap with his two
hands, proceeded TO address them in o
1altering 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 inter boV haaI that ubal1 lsva n hit
longer as if as how I'd do the right
thing, aud told her I'd make a try of
II and If you menu gimme q hand,
why, | don't mind making it go. don't
want to git the cholera no more, and if