The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-09-18

Unml1dful alike OF the tempest shocks,
And Of sweet oeGuiling that smiles and sings,
Nay keep farm our hold on eternal things!
-6s"doy afternoon for august.
WATCHING A DEFAULTER.
BY WILLIS GR1BBLE.
No doubt ingenuity is the first rudi-
ment that combines with tact and energy
to make = good detective. But once In
. long stretch 'good luck" is sure to gain
supremacy over those three virtues. At
oil events, there is an episode on record
wherein luck not only gained the supre-
u.scy, but atoned for the absence Of the
other three.
TO be sure the case was not q compile
Gated one. There was no mystery that
called for the keen instinct Of an adept
1T unravelling to ferret 1t out. Instead,
It was . most simple chain Of circumstan-
ces. One Phillip Brashear had been sus-
pected of appropriating the funds of his
employers, and while the firm was busy
summing up the total Of their losses, he
"a decamped, carrying~with him money
and bonds to the value Of half hundred
thousand. A futile search Of the city and
envlrons followed; but to all appearances
the culprit vanished, leaving no traces
that might be followed up to the epoch
Of his apprehension.
At least TINT was the popular verdict,
expressed by every one having a special
interest in the affair. With the exception
Of MI. Americas Biggerton, Chief Of til
United American Detective Service, whose
men all traced Brashear not only to the
place he adopted in his flight, butte the
house where even now he lay awaiting a
favorable opportunity to quit the country.
Mr.. Americas Biggerton was of him
sel diplomat, who, though loving hon.
esty and square dealing much, loved the
fabulous possession IF Midas more.
Hence, when beggarly pittsncc Of 1.-TWO
hundred dollars, dead or alive" was Of
fered for the apprehension Of Brashear,
Mr.. Biggertoa dilated his widespread
nostrils, and whispered he would await a
higher fuctuation in the market of re-
ward.
So it happened that one afternoon, as
he sat coming over the entries made by
his head clerk, Sliggins, in his "Dockct
Of Criminalities," the dusty door of his
dustier Office revolved on its creaky him
ges, and, looking up, Mr.. Biggcrton spied
the well-known form Of his nephew, John
Liel, standing abashed III the shadowy
aperture.
"Well, it is you, is it," quoth Mr.. Big
gerton, ungraciously enough.
"Yes, SIR" And John Liel walked un-
steadily forward. II hope you are glad
to see me, uncle
II can't say that am," grunted the
chief. II suppose you are out Of work
again. ldleness has become a chronic
malady with you, john"
John Liel stood twitching the fraycd
end Of not immaculate handkerchief
through his rigid digits.
II hope not, uncle; leastwise, IT,
"Happily, VIC don't see our own faults,
John. But ct me tell you that one of
yours 10 laziness; SO don't stand on the
defensive"
II have not endeavored to defend N.Y.
self nor could conscientiously do SOY
with short, faint laugh.
Mr.. Biggerton replaced his gold bowed
glasses, and sat looking for moment or
two at his nephew. He was a short,
corpulent, old fellow, this uncle of Johns
close.shaven, keen-eyed, alert, and dressed
With scrupulous care in suit of shiny
black broadcloth.
swell, what are you going to do with
yourset3" he finally interrogated.
II hardly know" and John looked
down appealingly into the round, ruddy
face Of his kinsman. III had entertained
faint hope
"And what did you hopc2"
THAT there might be something in the
service that you could offer me-"
Mr.. Americas Biggerton let fall his
docket Of crlminalities with something
very much like smothered gasp.
"You1"
"Certainly; why not7'
"Why nota For the very sufficient
reason that you are not qualified to fill
any position beyond the counter of q
country shoe shop. 1t takes deal more
than a good-natured dolt to fulfil the
duties required of a detective.
"For all that, you might put me to
tho test
Just then q sudden thought revealed
ltself to Mr. Biggerton.
"And 20 might" he conceded. ~
suppose it's against the code of human
nature to let ones own flesh and blood
sta1ve outright, and l have kind Of hall
notion to try you, anyhow. There, there T.
he rejoinded, cautiously; don't rush into
vortex at avowals before YOU are certain
OF my intentions, whic1 are these: You've
heard of Brashear, the clerk who de.
camPed week or so ago, leaving Killop
and Carr considerable sum the worse
for his fight. Well, very confidentially,
and strictly between ourselves, the United
American Detective Service has tracked
tho fellow to little manufacturing centre
In Massachusetts,, where the aforemcn-
toned service intends to keep him until
the rewards offered for his apprehension
10 colossal enough to recompensc them
1or their pains. Now, John, here's your
chance. Go up to Beamis Point, and
Keep clear eye on the fellow; then, when
the time arrives to expose him, I'll come
up and arrest him, and pay you we'll for
your trouble-all with the proviso that
you 90 your work in the right way.'
"but how will recognize the culprit?''
queried Liel.
"Easily enough; he is your height to
hairs breadth, very dark, and eliminate
to last degree"
Are you certain he is ut BEAMS
Psi1t1"
Certain as l am Of my own existence.
There Is but one tavern In the place. and
at It he is domiciled. 1t is highly prob
able he will be disguised and under an
assumed name. But you must ferret out
ms identity, aided by tho information I
nave given you, and tho fact that he has
Been In the place just fortnight come
tuesday. Here's enough money to cover
your expenses. In event Of your failure,
=. VAN you never to come my way again,
II you succeed your future is assured.
Now CO."
And John. st0vinr AWAY a y.nero,,s