Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-18

His Interesting Experience With the
Lovely and Accomplished Daughter OF
a New York Merchant
Baltimore AmertcdH.


a New York Merchant.
Baltimore AmertcdH.
Detective al Gault, of the city detec-
tive force, yesterday told of an interesting
incident that occurred some time ago in
connection with his services as a detec-
tive. A rich merchant of New York num-
bered among the members of his family
lovely and accomplished daughter, who
was the pride and delight of his home. She
was beautiful and highly educated, and
had but one fault--she was self-wllled and
had a terrible temper. One morning at
breakfast table she quarreed with
home. No word was left by her
to indicate where she had gone.
The father communicated with Pinkerton
and others, but nothing could be learned.
Seven months passed away, and IN the
course of business the father had occasion
to visit Baltimore. In the course of con-
versaLiOn with a prominent merchant of
this city he told the story of the loss of his
daughter. The Baltimore merchant sug-
gested calling in the services Of the Balti-
more detectives, and the idea was adopted.
Detectives Al Gault and Tod Hall were
given the case, and at once went to work.
They were told by the father that money
was no object in prosecuting the search,
which, if successful, would be amply re-
warded. The detectives visited boarding
houses and other places in the city, but
were unsuccessful. At last they de-
termined to insert a personal in the pa
pers, which read as follows;
DERSONAL.-If Laura -, who left her
Il home in New York on j une %, will call at
the Baltimore post Office she will receive a
letter from her loving father.
Detective Gault stationed himself at the
post office for tive days, but no one called
for the letter. He was more successful
on the third day. While at the post office
he saw lady closely yelled approach the
delivery window, and heard her ask for
the decoy letter. Slipping outside he
waited until she had turned the corner at
Gay street, and then, joining her, he
said:
excuse me, Miss Laura, but have a
message from your father. He wants to
see YOU"
She stopped suddenly, and without lift
ing her veil replied:
''YOu scoundrel! If you do not instantly
leave me / will call the first passing gen.
tleman and have you thrashed."
The detective said: II am a detective,
and have been detailed to arrest you and
take you to police headquarters, and if
you do not go quietly, will be obliged to
take you by force"
She wilted and went as far as Baltimore
street, and there made another stand.
| She stamped her foot and positively re-
| fused to go a step farther. The detective
| cOaXed, but without effect. and was
obliged to threaten to take hold of her be-
| fore she agreed TO accompany him. At
| last he got her as far as the MarshaPs Of
! fee, where she pitched into Marshal Gray,
| and refused to have anything to DO with
! him or with her father. Gault went up
/ after her father, and told him of the recov-
/ cry of his daughter. He was very deeply
/ affected at the expected realization of his
! fondest hopes. He recovered sufficiently
! to accompany the detective to the Mar
shaPs office, where the meeting between
the father and daughter was most affect
ing. The daughter upon the sight of her
father softened and yielded 10 the infiu-
ence of paternal love. The daughter then
explained that when leaving her home,
seven months before, she had considerable
pocket money, which lasted her some
time. Coming to Baltimore, she had
/ joined Catholic mission and applied to
I the Sisters in charge for something to do.
One day bankers wife came to the mis-
sion, and being in need Of a gOyerness for
her children, asked the Sisters to recon-
| mend some one to fill the position. The
| Sisters spoke Of her as being accomplished
| and having a secret history. The banker
wife took her home and in a few days
found her protege was Of superior educa.
ton and most ladylike in demeanor. The
bankers wife happened to read the per.
sOnal, and thinking it might be connected
| with her governess, showed it to her. II
was two days before she made up her mind
to call for the letter, and at last did so
only to be caught by Detective Gault.
The young lady at once agreed to return
to her home with her father, and they left
the same afternoon, The detectives re.
ceived long letter from the overjOyed
father several days afterwards, thanking
them very much for having been the means
Of bringing sunshine and happiness into 8
desolate home. There was only one thing
the father forgot, and that was a substan.
tial reward to the detectives.