The Irish standard., 1886-11-27
TWO NERV.Y.. Y MEN.
a Situation Which Was Any
Thing But Safe and Pleasant.
A Sec1et-Service Detectives Experience
with . Counterfeiter-Waiting for the
Explosion of a Powder-Keg-
The Capture of the Criminal.
lDetroit Free Press.1

Soon after the war our bureau was noti-
fed that counterfeit one dollar and two
dollar bills were being extensively circu-
lated in the region about Reading, Pa. I
was detailed, together with a companion
named William Madden, to proceed to
Scranton and work up the case. We soon
found that the money was being hoated by
q gang Of six or seven, of whom the ma
jolity were as tough cases as Abe Buzzard,
OF modern fame. We struck two leads at
the same time, and while mine led to Har-
risburg, his led into the mountainous coun-
try around Pottsville, which at that time
contained some Of the most lawless miners
who ever handled pick.
At Harrisburg 1 unearthed an old bird
known as 'SGreenback Charley" and
landed him temporarily behind the bars.
he was the only one OF the lot in that
neigh borhoct' and I set out to find
Madden, from whom had not yet heard a
word. I met him in Reading, and he also
had as prisoner man known as "Sly
jim,'' but whose real name was Isaac
Watson. He had been broughtfrona POTTS.
vile, and he was the head and front Of
the 'sshovers.' No sooner had Madden
located Jim who was the ostensible owner
of saloon in town, than she fellow slipped
out and made his way up the mountains
and took quarters IN a cabin occupied by
an aged womau-a widow. Madden hung
10 the scent until he relocated his game:
aud at about four o'clock in the afternoon
no drew near the house. Forty rods away
ht was met by the old woman, who stated
that Jim was in the house and willing to
surrender. Madden should have stopped
to reflect that some sort OF trap was being
laid for him. Ii Jim was willing to SUI
render why hadn't he come out and
shown himself! What need of % SC.
between between him and the officer2
Iae (iotecti7e thought Of nothing bat
securing his man at once, and be pusLed
on without even drawing his revolver.
The outer door was partly open, and as lac
entered tho house it was shut behind him,
and he was covered 10y a revolver in lhe
hands OF the counterfeiter Sly Jim ha2
served five years for q previous ofFeuse.
He reasoned that the officer had him dead
to rights on the new case and that he
would probably bo ':settled' for ten or
him desperate, and he had determined on
a desperate thing
Sit down over there u he commanded
and the helpless officer obeyed.
Now, then F." continued Jim, 'swha,t do
you want of lne?"
"To arrest you for uttering counterfeit
money"
"Gos any proofs:''
"Plenty."
"Well, that settles ii. I'd rather die
than 60 back to prison, but you shall die
with me, 7 could kill you and skip, but
I'd be run down and hung. We'll go to-
gctherw
E0n q table in the room was a fifty pound
1eg OF powder, and leading into it was Il
four minute fuse. Jim walked across to
the table, covered the officer anew and
lighted the eud Of the fus, with the re-
mark:
81 In four minutes Well be in eternity
II you make move from that chair Til
have 10 send y0u on ahead a little sooner!'
Il think I'll wait and go with youl'
coolly replied Madden, land ii you've no
objections I'l take out my watch and call
time"
''That will be a good idea," said jim, and
out came the watch and the detective called
out:
''ren seconds! Fiftrenl Twenty Thir-
ty - and SO on.
Nobody will never know what happened
to us,'' remarked Jin2 as the ,irst minute
was nearly gone.
But they'll mix up the scraps and prob
ably bury a portion of me along with you
That's the only thing J. care about"
"Well, was always fond of good COM
pany:" retorted lin
When two minutes had passed the detec'
tive began 30 softly whistle to himself.
sit will come mighty sudden when it
comesn observed Jim as he crossed his
legs.
eyes, we won't know what hurt u.s."
'tWbat's the time now?"
''Oh, we've got over minute yet"
'sDon:t you wish you hadn't Gomez"
ssNo, sir! was bound to have you or
die with you"
'.l'hat's the sort! It's some honor to die
with such man as you The fuse is get
ting pretty short"
"We've got fifteen seconds more"
Madden leaned back in his chair, and
Jim held the revolver on his breast. He
hadn't been playing bluff game, and the
detective had made up his mind that there
was no escape from death. From the COR
ner Of his eye he watched the fire creep
nearer and nearer, but he did not move
finger. The spark finally touched the
slaves Of the keg, and Madden felt that his
last minute of life had come. He dropped
his eyes to his watch and saw the seconds
fly wo--four-fve--ten, and he felt
that there had been some miscarriage.
When fifteen seconds had passed Jim
growled out:
s'The durn thing has gone back on mel'
He rose up, as if to go over and examine
it, and the instant the nluzzle of his revol-
yer was depressed Madden sprang for him
and struck him blow between the eyes
which felled him like an OK. The reve lver
was discharged, but the bullet entered the
floor. In another minute Jim was hard
cuffed and dragged out. EIe xilted as soon
as the irons were on him. and no trouble
was experienced i'll getting him to Read
lug. He was silent and sulky with Mad
dsn, but to be he said:
"say, old man, you've got partner to
be proud of. He's got more nerve than
anv other man that lives!;'
'.Esccpt;ng you:" ranlied, and he
s:roaed his long whisAers and seemed