The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-01-05
Ifs Reason

Il don't care about acting - . de-
teciive any longer. At one time
had pride in the business. and would
rather shadow suspicious-looking
man than to 90 to a theatre. but that
time Is gone"
Ike speaker was well-know Chi
cago detective. He had been so suo-
cessful in his work that many OF the
most important cases were entrusted
to him.
What has gone wrongp' some ono
asked when the detective had made
the remark quoted above.
Quite enough to disgust me with
the BUSINESS. About . week ago the
chief pointed out a man and told me
to keep track OF him. i am convine-
ed said he, that the fellow is one of
the leading anarchists of this city, and
in my opinion he is working up somo
dsvilish plot Don't let him get out
of your sight II you can help it 1t
was my duty-my pleasant duty-to
obey. kept the fellow in sight He
was not q prepossessing, man. His
whiskers were ragged. and once, in a
bar-room, when caught sight OF his
eyes, l saw they were stroaked with
rcd and were of evil expression. That
nightI followed him closely. Some
times he would stop and, in sullen
brooding. lean against wall, as
though, in hellish incubation, he wero
trying to hatch some devilish deed.
Along toward morning he entered u
squalid-looking house in mean quar-
ter of the city. l saw the flash OF
light in an upper room. | watched
the light, but soon ali was darkness
again. l went home, slept few
hours and returned at daylight. Pres
emily my man came out He took no
notice of me but took sharp notice of
him. He had evidently passed sleep.
less night for his eyes were rcdder
than usual, and his footsteps were
uncertain. thought that l might,
without endangering my plans. risk a
few words in conversation with him,
so, cvertaking him, ! said:
II understand we are to have q big
strike on our street railways pretty
soon."
Il don't know" he replied, without
looking at me.
"The newspapers say that the men
have decided to strike"
Il don't know" he answered, still
without looking at me.
.Don' you read the newspapers" I
asked.
mot now."
''Why not now. if you ever didP"
He stopped and looked at me. His
eyes were sunken. His lips were blue
with revengefnl biting. I thought
why don you read them nowp I
repeated.
"Whv are You so much concerned
in meP" he asked. II have never
seen you before and here you come to
me in the street aud demand the rea-
son why / do not read newspapers
Have YOU no business that can claim
your attention? Or is it your business
to hunt men down and ask them unim-
portant questions merely to give
momentary satisfaction to your own
idle mindP"
IL intended no offensa," / replied.
But" he exclaimed, the most sting
inc of all offenses is the otfense that
is not intended. l bid you good
morning, sill"
He walked away, and I, after mus.
ing that ! was not to be blutfed.
followed him. He sat in n saloon
nearly all day, much of the time with
his head bowed over table. He did
not drink anything and paid no atten-
ton to the boisterOus company about
him. When night came he went out. l
followed him. For hours he strolled
aimlessly about the streets Then he
went to the sqtfalid house. but after
opening the door. he turned away. |
kept him well in sight, though with
seemingly sudden resolutions he walk
ed rapidly. He got north side linn is
car. followed him, and, with my hat
pulled down over my face, stood on
the rear platform. The car passed
Lincoln park, still ho made no move
toward getting otf After awhile. just
as the car arrived at the street railway
barns, he arose. He passed me. with
out looking up. and. turning towards
Lake View, hurried onward. He
passed through the village. out into
the country, and must have gone at
least two miles farther when he
stopped In front of small cottage. He
went up to the door and unlocked it.
but after standing for few moments
on the threshold, he suddenly stepped
back, slammed the door and walked
hurriedlv away going in the direction
of small grove not far distant. L
followed cautiously. He entered the
grove. aud. stopping under spread
ing tree. got down on his knees
s.Ah,' | said to myself. The is rob-
Der and I have found where he has
buried his stolen property"
/ sat down behind tree. The air
grew chilly, and deeper darkness
told me that the dawn was not far
away. In the east there slowly came
an ashen pallor. then a lingering glow.
and then the faltering flashes of the
rising sun. The man had not changed
his position.
Il will aceost him." l said to my
self He cannot escape me"
approached and--saw him bending
over the grave of child. He looked
up. but without surprise; and, placing
his hands on the grave said:
This is the reason why / do not
read the newspapers now. My little
boy. He sold them. "-Opie r Read.
Some Big Taxpayers in New YORK.