The Baltimore County union., 1883-11-24

more lavishly. Perhaps if Fred had
had some aim in life his lot would not
have been so vapid as il is. But, as
the case now stands, he is rapidly going
TO the dogs. He knows it, and his
boon companions know il; but he cared
rs little for his mistaken career as they
did. He was pettcd by his mother and
sister, and his father condolcd his many
foibles by saying
"l.et the boy SOW his wild oats; he'll
settle down soon enough.
The young man gamblcd was a fre.
quentcr oi sporting circles of every de-
scrption, ard did not disdain TO bet
hundreds of dollars on brutal prize.
ring affair. Upon the evening follow.
ing the interview between Harold Brew
stcr and the detective, while Fred was
in one of the noted gambling resorts on
= street. he found that a plainly
dressed man of middle age was watch.
ing him closely.
II troubled him exceedingly, and
made him careless in his play. The
consequence was when he rose from the
game he found that he had lost five
hundred dollars. He went to the bar
and called for brandy. After drinking
il he took his departure. The middle.
aged man who had watched him so
closely was at his heels.
"Look here, stranger" said Fred,
turning TO the other VIXEN the pair had
reached the walk, cam such an OBJ
ject of curiosity tha, you must keep
your eyes upol me?"
'Bc calm, Mr. Fred Brewster. ar
rest you in the name of the law" said
Jack Smith; for he il was in one OF his
many disguiscs.
"Arrcst me? For what?" gasped the
young man, starting back.
"No matter come with me, simply
returned Smith.
The young man now saw that it
would be utterly out of the question to
offer resistance, and so he accompanied
the officer. The pair passed into Broad
way, and after reaching and passing
through Bond street, wen; down the
Bowcry.
\ strange expression of fear came
upon Fred Brewster's face when the
officer told him to step into pawn shop
with him near Canal stree, crossing.
"The ticket, please" said Smith.
Fred trembled in every limb his
face was the picture OF abject despair.
"What-what do you-mean?" he
calculated.
"Thc pawn.,icket for the diamonds"
whispered the detective.
Fred took his pockctbook out, and
extracting the slip Of paper from its
contents, passed it to Smith.
"Now I'll take that lot of diamonds
in the white box, please" said Smith,
handing the ticket to the man behind
the counter.
eyes, but | must have my money
Twenty-Five dollars, and five for the
use Of the money!" returned the man.
Smith handed him the required
amount, and took the diamonds.
After the pair had reached the street,
the detective said to the thoroughly
astonished young man
"Now, my young man, let me give
you piece of advice; mend your ways
change your manner of living. and be a
man for your mothers sake"
"And-am lat libcrty?" asked
Fred, rs the other turned TO leave.
"You are; go and do the right thing
hereafter. But recollec, there's one
man who knows of your crimes, and
will not hesitate TO use this incident
against you il you ever give him occa.
sion."
The next day, while Harold Brew
stcr was seated in his Office, he was
startled by the appearance Of Smith,
the detective.
"Ah, Smith, see by your face tha,
you have succeeded"
al have there are your diamonds, a"
said Smith, laying the two boxes upon
the table.
al am so happy! Are they not beau.
ties?" asked Mr.. Brewster, lifting the
jewels from the white box.
"They are iair," responded Smith,
smiling.
"Fairl What do you mean? They
are worth twenty thousand dollars
Compare them with these" said Brew.
ster, taking the jewels from the blue
box.
"Suppose you tell me which are the
originals, the genuine ones," said
Smith. Mr.. Brewster looked up quick
ly and asked
"what do you mean'"
"Simply this. Mr.. Brews,cr-thc
real diamonds have not been stolen a,
ALL"
"Ehl-not stolen! bless my soul
what-do you mean, manl"
at is the truth, Mr.. Brewster. The
boxes must have got changed, or rather
the contents. You gave me the real
diamonds, and | have recovered the
bogus ones"
The listener was so thoroughly aston
ishcd that he could not speak at first.
Finally he asked, "How did you learn
Of il 20
Smith then told the astonished mer,
chant how he had stepped into jewel
ry store and asked the proprietor to ex
anime the jewels and tell him their value
He also told Mr.. Brewster how he had
found the paste gems in Bowery pawn
shop.
"And did you not capture the thief1'
asked Brewster.
"Don't press that part of the case
MIR. Brewster, please. guess he hai
had q lesson"
After receiving remuneration for hi
services the detective took his depar
ture.
Mr.. Brewster never questioned hi
son because Of his changed manner o
living, but he imagined he know tn,
reason of Fred's change for the better.