Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-10
Il SEVERE TEST.
4 Story Of the Melbourne Police.

A Story Of the Melbourne Police.
Some years ago-a good many more,
in fact, than care to recall now-I was
wandering very disconsolately through
one Of the main thoroughfares Of Mel
bourne, debating with myself the advisa-
bility of walking down to the quay and
offering my services as steward to the
Captain Of the first homeward-boundv YES
sci on which I might see the "blue-
peter" hoisted. Things HAD gone very
badly with NE; every enterprise to
which 1 had turned my attention had
either fallen through or resulted dis.
astrously to myself; and, after vainly
trying my luck in the colony for over
three years, [ came to the conclusion
that the sooner I reconciled myself to
the utter failure of my attempts the bet
ter it would be both for my peace of
mind and my constitution.
In this dismal mood I was listIessly
reading over the shipping announce
ments posted on an adjacent wall, vhenI
came across notice from the Police De.
partment, intimating, in tersely official
language, that a few new hands were
needed-hands who were strong, vigor-
GUS, healthy, shrewd, good horsemen,
and rejoicing in the possession of such
other natural advantages as would inev-
itably insure their success in any line
they chose to adopt. I was a good
horseman, healthy, and tolerably
strong my shrewdness I had begun to
doubt lately; and, as for the rest of the
desiderota-well, I suppose was as
well off as most people.
Here, possibly, was chance for me;
at any rate, it was only few days delay
If nothing came Of it; would make my
application and chance It. Returned to
my diggings, wrote an official applica-
ton as per directions, and, to make a
long story short, received, two days lat
er, a note desiring my attendance at the
station on the following day Here,
after rather stiff examination, physical
and mental, and such tests of horseman-
ship as taking fve-barred gate with my
arms folded-which accomplished sue
cessfully-I was told that everything
was tolerably satisfactory, and 1 might
expect an official notification of appoint
ment at IN early date. Meanwhile, it
would be desirable, was informed, that
I kept the matter, as far rs it had gone,
quite private; stipulation Lad no diff
ficulty in conforming to, since had not
a single friend in the city.
On the evening of the following day
found at my quarters second note from
Mr.. Superintendent, oonspicuously
marked Private and conveying the
very agreeable intelligence that was
temporarily engaged from that day. The
letter closed with request that would
call at once on the Superintendent.
Somewhat to my dismay, I found, on
presenting myself, that my permanent
satisfactorily carrying through special
Job then on hand. It was an affair of
some nicely and an old hand, from an
other station, would have been given the
work, but for being absent on other
business. The matter would admit OF
no delay; and it was imperatively neces-
sary that it was undertaken by some one
not, or seemingly not, belonging to the
Melbourne force. In short. I WAS to do
it. The matter was briefly this A
packet Of Government papers, Of high
Importance, had been stolen from the
messenger to whose Gaze they were in
trusted and, from information received,
it seemed pretty certain that their pres
ent possessor-a man fast becoming
notorious in the colony-would be walk
Ing toward the city next afternoon; and
to prevent his intimate acquaintance
with the town enabling him to escape,
or any confederates attempting his re-
lease, I was to wait by bridge on the
line of road, about ten miles out of Mel
bourne, and get the papers from him.
The man WIS by no means to be shot,
or II possible even hurt; but the papers
must be secured. Minute instructions
as to his appearance were followed by a
pretty plain implication that my career
Ill the force would very largely depend
upon ny success.
felt, as may be easily imagined, in
anything but high spirits. The pros
pect OF single-handed encounter with a
man of whose resources knew nothing.
and who might blow my brains out be-
fore [ had chance Of attack, was not
cheering. However, there was nothing
for it; it was my last chance, and
must emkEace ii WitAVxt Sinking,