The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-29
THe DETECTIVES TURKEY.


mo. 4 guass1 don't know of any
thing Chat resembles a Christmas
Sfy, unless it be the history of q
Christmas turkey l once received as a
reward for working up a little case"
So said Detective Jim Farley as he
sat with his feet on the lower round
pfa glowing anthracite stove in the rear
room of a quiet title bar, where IN cx-
csllent brand of copper distilled bourbon
MA dispensed. jim had been listening
to a number of his friends, who made it
= rule to drop in every evening, and
take something hot telling stories
shout past winters, and tho glorious
times they had experienced in celcbrat-
ing tho holidays. Farley had scarcely
said a word. and after all had exhausted
their tales it was thought no more than
Just that he should add an anecdote or
two. But he was doubtful of what
would be worth telling, and said SO
plainly.
The jolly landlord, Nick Swift, had
joined the circle. leaving the bar keeper
alone in the saloon and he urged Jim to
an effort.
chow long ago was that, Nickpr ask
ed Farley Of the host.
LET me see! It's going on eighteen
years at least, jim; twas when yon was
first married to old Mark Weatherby's
daughter, Nellie, Lord bless her! You
was . green n then for sure!"
That was fine stufing the turkey
hnd, wasn't it, Nicke" smilingly asked
the veteran.
After a prodigious feat of sustained
laughter the landlord remarked:
Never beard o such stufin' before or
since!"
And ! never had one stuffed like it
sinceM was Jim's gloomy answer.
mick, just call to Peter outside and tell.
himto bring in-what do you want, gen-
tlernenP Bring in six hot-as-blazes
punches!"
The smoking beverage come in. and
after a short swallow Jim began: Gen
tleman, '66 / went on tho detective force.
! hadsjust been mustered out in '65,
after five years of campaigning, and I
thpughtit would be something soft for an
old soldier. | was twenty-five when
the war broke out, and when l came
back my wilderness was all gone. Sc
cured the position of detective and got
married to my old sweetheart, Nellie
Weatherby.
$50 far SO good thought !, life is
worth living after ALL | met with con-
siderable success in small jobs and
thought myself a famous thief-taker.
indeed. One morning in December the
Chief called me into his private office,
where he introduced me to a white hair.
ed, respectable looking old gentleman
whose name was Goodrich, the senior
partner Of the Pearl street firm of Good
rich & Graham. wholesale cloth import
ers.
Mr.. Farley, / want YOU to go with
Mr.. Goodrich and listen to what he has
totell you,' said the Chief; you need dc
nothing else until further orders but
work on this CASE
II withdrew with Mr.. Goodrich anc
went to his residence, where he set mt
down in his study.
Nov, Mr.. Farley, what / wanted tt
tell you is, shortly, rs follows: | wan1
You to discover who forged our name II
. certain check, quickly, said he. 4
will not say for what amount, but it is :
large one. | know Of my own knowl,
edge that tho forgery was committed ir
our Office, and by. one Of the two mcr
employed there. One is Will Merritt,
q son Of an old friend, and who, / viii
say, is engaged to my daughter Joseph.
inc. l am also his guardian. The
other man is James Graves, who has
been in our employ since lie was twelve
years Of age, and he is now twenty-nine,
1t least.
Here intarposed and asked if Graves
was married.
.sOh, yes! Jim was married fou,
years ago.
What salary do you allow youl
ward-Mr. Merritt, / believe is his
namep'
That's right. Merritt's the name.
Let me see! Yes, VIII gets $50 /;
month to spend. You see he lives a
my house and his living costs him moth.
ing.
.s.And Mr.. Graves?' asked l..
els our Oldest employee, and receives
$500 year! And he is worth every
copper ofit, tool
IAN extended conversation as to the
habits Of the men took place, and from
the old mans manner j could see thai
he suspected the boy, or, rather,
young man. Leaving the mansion
with the promise of another
call. ! went home and sat down to thinl
the case over. Here was a splendid
opportunity to distinguish myself, and
! did not wish to let it pass without
some efforts to gain distinction. ] hat
read Of the quick wit and shrewdness o
detectives who instantly maturcd a plar
Whereby to reveal tho most secre
crimes. But my natural wit ana
~shrewdness failed to suggest any light
ming plan to me just then.
A supper Nellie noticed my thought
fulness and the absent-minded name
IN which / was eating my food.
What's the matter, Vidocqs' play
fully asked she. giving me the title 9
- famous French detective. is som