Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-08-27
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THE DETECTIVES OATH.

| CHANGED to be in New York court
of general sessions, n good many years
ago, when two professional thieves were
being tried for burglary,
There was but little doubt Of their
guilt; but they had secured excellent
legal services, the actual evidence
against them was very slender, and
there was every promise Of their being
acquitted, when the prosecuting attor-
ney suddenly called rs u witness for the
state the name Of Patrick Harden, the
mere mention Of which caused m
abrubt and striking oycrshadowing of
the criminals prospects,
They both lost their countennnce-+-
their counsel looked blank; and ns the
bearer of the nnmc--n powerful, we'll
knit young man, withu pale face, M
iron inv, and stern, relentless eye
stcppcdup0n the stand and in hard
tones and simple language gave the
evidence that secured their conviction
beyond doubt, they turned white
with terror, and trembIod MS though
confronted with the ghostly Nemesis of
alI their crimes, and hardening to the
accusing words of fate itself.
"rhcse mon are professional thieves;
they are guilty Of this particular charge
for which they ARE now on trlnl, ny my
evidence will prove, and they arc the
lnst Of the Silver Gnng, the members Of
which have haunted, tracked, shnd-
owed and bounded down, ono by one,
for years.
Such was the opening sentence Of
witness lInrdcn's testimony, which IN
addition to securing that particular con
yiction, displayed throughout certain
sleuth-hound tendency and u dcadli-
ness of purpose on the pnrt of the
speaker that was quite renagkable,
After the prisoners Ind been sen
toncod To honvy penalties, McArdle, the
veteran detective, who sat ut the re-
portors table whispered in my ear
81 knew il was nll up with them fell
lows ns soon ny Hnrndcn took the stand
Did you note the crushing effect of his
mere presence upon thcmf lie IL the
bette n0jr, the incumhus, the haunting
nightmare phantom Of their tribe,
"Whnt IL he? A detective like your.
self"
Something Of tlcsorl though ho hns
been hunting down this special Silver
Gang of thieves, about the Inst Of whom
have been disposed, more out Of re-
ycngfl hatred than for pay. lie is not
only II thief transformed, but II thief
converted into one who has proved
their rctrbuive mud pursuing Nemesis
Some time ! will tell You his story, if
YOU would like to hcnr il. s."
expressed I'M ardent desire 10 that
effect, and not long thereafter he told
me the story, very much Ms follows
Patrick linrndcn was about finish
ing his apprenticeship at brass finish
ing, and was sobre, industrious and
promising young fellow when he he
came attached ~ 4 pretty shnpllltdr
named Jennie Brcttlc, and then went
hcndlong till he landed IN her prof, ssoh
am bound to confess that They agreed
we'll together, and chung to enrh other
through thick and thin, within devotion
and affection that have seldom seen
oqunlod. Still thcy were only thieves,
after NIL, and Jennie rs n thieFs wife,
was, perhaps not greatly better than
she had been before, She VAS faithful tu
him and that was ALL
"Thcy were identified with the Silver
Gang, mn associated band of robbers,
who were just then becoming famously
notorious under the mysterious dircc-
ton of Montlcth, II clever rascal who
acquired immense influence over them
through the uniform success of his
schemes, and was, strange to shy, al.
most rs much of a mystery to his crimi-
nal subordinatcs rs to the police and
those upon whom their dcpredationS
were committed, lie only communi-
cntcd ~ them under various DISCUSSES
Not one Of them III TINT time knew
who he was, what WAS his rcal name,
occupation, III even probable age hut rs
each of the Silver Gang lsonmed from
one of its spccinlitics otrohhing wealthy
houses of their silver service platel wns
under n terrible oath not To pry into
lhings that do not concern him, and rs
II was TO their interest 10 keep the oath
the identity of the major rs he Was
called remained secure.
"'ro make Il long story short Harm
den fell under the displcasure of this
mysterious leader, through II dispute
concerning tho division ofthe spoil aud
was marked for summary punishment,
The major put up job upon him, and
then betrayed him into the hands Of
the police, doubtless under the suppose.
ton that hc would Intellectually dispos.
ed Of by being sent up for term "
fifteen or twenty years, But the IN
trapped man got only twelve months
by pleading guilty, and then after
swearing Vengeance against the man
who betrayed him, bidding m affection.
ate farewell to his wife and child and
solemnly promising the Judge who sen
fenced him that he would como out of
the prison n reformed and altered
man. prepared to undergo his punish
mcnt with philosophical eheerfulness.
81 was present at the hsi interview
with his wife and child and il WAS very
affecting
Good bye and God bless yon lennic,,'
he exclaimed kissing her and the baby
~ hcr hosnm I'll brnyply work ont