The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-11-28
A CROOKED RACE.
luke Sharpe in Detroit Free Press ]

Vanderherken "as the ingratitude Of It. ii,
has S50,0 with him, but our firm is able b
stand the loss Of that without a vince, even
II times are close. But you see we trustee
Westhof implicitly, and now / would Civ,
good rornl sum TO lard him in stat.
prison
"Do you know where he Isl" said the chiei
of the detective bureau.
oh, yes. He's in Windsor. His agent
here approached us on the subject Of compro
misc. He offered to divide. He doesn't like
living In Canada, ii seems. Oh, he's fasti
dious william. He would rather have s25 900
in the United States than $4,000 in Canada.
The detective took down in his note book
all the particulars Nanderhecken could give
him about Westhoff. He even went into
rather fine matters, found that he was fond
Of good wine and first-class cigars. He told
Vanderhecken that the thing just resolved
itself into bringing him over TO the American
side Of the Detroit river, still 1t might cost a
good deal to him get over.
"How muchP said the merchant
II don't know" said the chief, cautiously.
"Put it this way. How much would you
give 10 have Westhof here In Chicagof
The merchant thought for a few moments.
"Well, he said at last, I'D give 5000 to sec
ave can't promise conviction, you know,
but we can land him here, and the rest will
remain with you and the courts. ! don't want
you TO be money OUT Of pocket, but IL you
guarantee our expenses, hit or miss, and the
5000 If it is n hit Ill send man that
think can produce Westhof here"
To this the merchant assented, and the con-
ference ended.
Three days after this young man with a
valise supp, rtcd by leather strap over his
shoulder, wrote John DraytOn. St Louis, "
on the bulky register Of the Crookton house,
Windsor. and said with q sigh of relief as he
did 30: Thank God, I'm in Canada"
The clerk smiled and assigned him a room
Transient" he asked.
NO, / guess not Permanent / hope.
Does that room overlook the rivcrf Thanks. "
John Drayton made no bones Of the fact
that the firm Of Rodgers Goode & Co. were
out 10 the tune of many thousands Of dollars
on his account. He was evidently qualified to
10 admitted into the most select society Of
crooks To add TO his popularity, Drayton
was fond of good living and he had with him
some Of the finest brands Of cigars and the
choicest of liquors. Many gay night they
had Of IL In Draytons rooms in the Croolstnn
house Westhoff and Drayton became parti-
cular cronies.
"Gentlemen," said John Drayton one day,
chow much IL there in that roll of bills"
Westof counted them over, and said
"a thousand dollars"
"K'rect, replied Drayton, tipping his cigar
ceilingwards. ~ won that last night"
"No! Where"
an Sumpkins faro rooms, Detroit"
"Detroit Were you overI'
"You bet! Been over half q dozen times
within the last week I'm thinking of get
ting season ticket on the ferry"
Heavens" grasped Westhoff, "you take
big risks. The games not worth ii. Dray-
ton, my boy, youll be snapped up some Of
these times"
Yes" put in Brownly, an old hand. "Going
TO Detroit grows on one. It's bad habit.
Look at Wilson. Grew quite reckless. Went
over when he liked. Used to ride on the
boats on a hot day. Had seats at the opera.
Run right into the arr Of his partner on
Griswold street, and actually said Hello,
old boy! How's things in Springfield" to the
man he had ruined. Forgot till his partner
called policeman that he was not in Wind
sor. Got to be habit, going over to Detroit,
you see"
"Still, there is very little risk" said Dray-
ton. II was at the races last week Lots Of
fun"
The others groaned There was evidently
a strong yeaIning for their own land.
II tell YOU" said Westhof, Il don't care
much for races. Give me a good smuggling
match for real amusement"
"Me too" echoed the others.
"Gentl men," faid Drayton, "if you come
with me- ] can show you the incest bit Of
stand-up and knock-down you ever saw.
Wednesday night. Tickets 81. Doors locked.
No kid glove affair. I'm going"
"By jingo," said WesthoH am risk II.
What do you say"
Some shook their heads. All would like to
go.
~ don't TIL nix we ought all to go together"
said Drayt0n. But don't think there's any
danger in few of US. The rest can take 1t
in another night What do You sayr'
"rm with you," said Westhofis Others,
rather holder than the rest, agreed 10 see the
smuggling Next morning, as Westhoff looked
over the letter rack at the office OF the Crook
ton house, he saw letter addressed to Mr..
John Drayton and on the corner of the en-
velope was printed:
Return In ten days to
MUTUAL DETECTIVE AGENCY,
Room IL. Kitchen Building,
La Sale street, Chicago
Westhoff looked sharply around him,
slipped the letter among those he had received
for himself, and went up TO his room. A
little moisture judiciously applied, put him
in possession of the letter. which read:
Ny DEAR WILLIS: Old Van is getting inn
patient. He IL here every day now, and says
he wants results. | wish you would write out
q sort Of semi-official report of your proceed
ings with Westhof so that IL will kind of let
him know how matters are progressing. Van
derhecken seems to think we are merely piling
up expenses on him, and threatens to take
the case to Pinkerton's You see the situa-
ton; help us out Things very dull here.
Yours, etc, A. X. MADDEN.
Westhoff drew his breath sharply and NUT
tered: ann getting childish. BY -,
saved by mere chance. A boy of 10
, wouldn't be such fool"
He sealed the envelope, went downstairs
and slipped the letter In its place.
"Drayton down yetr
NO." answered the clerk. &Out with the
boys last night / guess Takes big risks,
Drayton does"
Ale does that" assented westhoff signifi-
cantly.
The crooks had a confab In Westhof's
room. That evening Brownly asked the
landlord II they could have an upper room
for a little bout-with gloves-a room away
from the rest Of the inhabited rooms-where
they could have some fun without disturbing
anyone. The request was granted. The
crooks were good customers.
That night jolly crowd assembled in room
Ito. Drayton was one Of the party and he
opened box Of good cigars westhoff put
ON the gloves He and Brownly had "A
friendly set-to. The former was evidently
an adept at the sport he admired.
"Try them ON. Drayton," said Brownly as
he took the cumbersome handgear of.
Il can't do It," said Drayton. always
rather look ON than participate"
"Come on, come on" said Westhoff, aI'll
give you few points. You'll appreciate the
snow tomorrow night all the better for it,"
go ahead, Drayton," cried the impatient
crowd. Drayton reluctantly put on the
gloves.
After a few playful taps on the shoulder
and different parts OF his upper anatomy,
Drayton suddenly received blow that made
him think the universe had collapsed. He
staggered blindly and fell. Rising TO his feet
he got a thumper square i'm the face that
caused the blood TO flow, and another on the
side Of the head that laid him fat again.
Dazed, he reached around to his revolver
pocket, then tried TO tear off his gloves. Ris-
ing to his feet Westhoff promptly laid him
ON the floor again All this time not a word
was spoken by spectators or actors. Dray-
ton, grinding his teeth In his fury, put his
foot ON the point OF his glove and tore his
hand out. He drew his revolver, but was in
xfantIy ayaf9snwarad ana tlxa x.aaa x.,.,, LaY,