San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-05-09
IN JAIL AT CAMDEN.

have nothing in particular against
the town OF Camden except that 1t lies
opposite Philadelphia. Tho railroad de-
pot Is on the wharf, where tho incest
view can be obtained Of the golden hued
waters of the harbor, and where the
odors stirred up by paddle wheels come
to the nose before any Of their original
freshness has been lost on the summer
breezes. The waiting room was erected
for the convenience of those who have to
wait. Everybody has to wait In Cam
den. II they didn't have to wait, why
have waiting roomf
was waiting there ono day last sum-
NOR, and after putting in two hours at it
had just commenced to study the Won
derful architecture OF six New Jersey
apples spread out In reckless fashion
on news stand. when observed man
sizing me up. It was his bounden duty,
as good citizen of New Jersey, to ascer-
tain whether was q pirate looking to
capture one of the big ferryboats, or only
humble citizen making quiet sneak
down to Atlantic City. saw him slyly
comparing my height, weight. dress,
color Of eyes, etc., with memoranda in
book, and felt that I was goner.
The wicked may dodge the lasso handled
by Nemesis now and then, but the loop
Is certain to fall sooner or later. I had
eiuded all tho officers between Detroit
and Camden, ind was wearing my hat
on my ear and feeling pulfed up, but lol
Nemesis was here
My first thought was to walk over to
the stranger and surrender myself and
20 to the gallows without complaint,
but my second was to get away and
hunt for fresh fields Of crime and shed
moro blood. l had two hours to spare,
and while tho man seemed to be asking
tho price of dime novel I slipped
aboard ferry boat. The craft had only
started when discovered the man be-
side me. We crossed over to Philadel-
phia and returned on the same boat.
Once thought of ending it all and find
ing rest beneath the tan bark waves Of
tho historic river, but / hated to get
wet and therefore abandoned the idea.
When the boat suddenly brought up
in Camden I made rush for street
car. didn't know whether tho car ran
to q coal mine in the center Of the town,
or out into the country whore stumps,
haystacks and brush heaps would give
me show for my life, but took it. So
did the strange man. Why he did not
put the handouts and shackles on me at
once, and observe that / had run my
race, couldn't understand. Perhaps he
was not sure Of my identity. Perhaps
he wanted to prolong my torture.
He looked out of the window on his
right and seemed to be thinking of the
past and gone. looked out Of the win
dow on my left and was certainly think
ing of the days and nights to come.
When we had gone about mile he sud-
denly rang tho bell. You stop Camden
street car that way, same as IN Detroit
Or Buffalo. When the pair Of mules had
come to o dead standstill tho stranger
brushed his coattail inside in graceful
way, showed me the big end Of big re-
volvcr and gently remarked:
"Now como along without any nom
sensei You know me and / know your
Here was O point for dispute, but
didn't accept it just then. You can al
ways get along better with stranger by
seeming to let him havo his own way.
/ didn't even protest against leaving tho
car at his dictation. After a man has
been in the army Eve years he is ready
to take orders from any one. When we
descended from tho car ho took mo by
the right arm. This was very kind in
him, as I might have fallen down.
In front Of us was structure labeled
Police Stntion." II evidently had some
thing 10 do with tho Camden police. ]
didn't care about going In. ns had seen
the interior Of 80 many others; but the
man frightened his grip and ! did not dis
appoint him. He walked me up TO tho |
scrreaut's desk, heaved a sigh OF relief, |
and famed himself with his hat as bo 1
softly observed:
"Well, I've got him"
Hanged II you haven't, replicd the /
sergeant. Say. Bill, this IA a stroke Of .
luck"
Il guoss co. guessed Bill
"Call the captain
The captain was piaying eJichro In the /
next room. lie como out az tho call. /
up a, the sight Of NE, and .
ravoi his hand and said:
Good, Search him and lock him Up /
IN No. -
"Whai's the ciIarge7- asked The ST. 1
zeaut A. he lifted his pen
"Oitzining mnney under false pre-
tsuses Wed better Telegraph Rsl Bank .
hat we've got him"
The Captain DISAPPEARED % sc about /
.bs ;elesTz7hing. ani the detective bc-
-an O. sazrch ne. lie cane across my
1azc o. cards, envslopess collar and
Wis ,ud Tocle-s, and before vas haH
.-.-.--,.f.--T =, -, a I1,rIr r~r-f~rrr