Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-02-26
A DETECTIVE DETECTED
John Butterworth's Susceptibility
Proves His Ruin.

John Butterworth, of Oldcastle, es-
sayed to be detective, believing that
he was not only qualified to undertake
the arduous duties connected with the
post, but also that he should prove him
self more efficient than the ordinary
run of the Force. But, unfortunately,
the authorities at Scotland Yard either
did not see it in the same light or other
wise had already a sufticiency of capable
men on their staff
AS perseverance is said to overcome
all obstacles, so Butterworth still de-
termined to persevere and to urge Sir
- - to accept his services. But
his case seemed hopeless, and had it not
been for a sudden happy thought, this
narrative of his adventure would never
have been written. He was distantly
related to Mr.. jenkins, the senior mem
Der for North Midlandshire, and to him
did he appeal for his influence and as
sistance in the matter. Mr.. Jenkins
resided during the session at Morley's
Hotel, Trafalgar Square, which, as is
we1l-known, is in close contiguity to
Scotland Yard. He at once took up the
ase of his young friend most assidu-
susly, and proved quite a thorn in the
desh to the authorities of the ''yard.''
Whether they we're at last inclined to
i've Butterworth trial, fearing lest
they might be losing good man, or, as
was certainly more probable, that they
were wearied out with his incessant i'm
Dortunities, is not recorded, but the SUBJ
joined letter was the outcome of the
correspondence:
SCOTLAND YARD, LONDON, S.W., Aug, 1886
sIR-1n reply to your letter of the 3Oth ult.,
am requested by Sir - to inform you that
your application has been granted, and that
you are hereby appointed a constable in the
Criminal Investigation Department You
will proceed at once, on receipt of this, to
the Oldcastle police court, where you will
be administered the necessary oath by one
of the presiding justices Of the peace.
You will hold yourself in readiness for auv
services h:ch may be required of you, and
which Will be communicated to you direct
rom here. Your obedient servant, A. B.
To Mr.. John Butterworth, Oldcastle.
With what qualification Butterworth
received this epistle may very readily
imagined. He had persevered in his
application with such zest that he had
been voted quite nuisance by the
clerk who had to attend to his CORE
spondence and that of his friend, the
member from North Midlandshire. How
be wondered, and-as was only reason
able-with some trepidation, what his
work might be, and also how he should
acquit himself of the task. Whether
his first business might be to apprehend
some violent character, perh apps burg
lar. who would probably be armed with
revolver or bowie knife, and who would
not hesitate for one moment to use them
ifneedful. But he had not long to wait
in that weariest of all trials, suspense.
but two or three days at the most
One morning, at the police court, a
aeciphered telegram was handed to
i'm. The contents were as follows:
Ayoung lady, dark complexioned and of
rather prepossessing appearance, has left
Kings Cross by the 10 80 train this morning.
booked through to Oldcastle. Watch her
movements, and note where she locates her.
self. Do not arrest her, but get-under any
pretext-intO conversation, and inform the
Oldcastle Office with the result.
Here followed description of her
dress. This to all appearance was plain
sailing enough, and Butterworth eagerly
awaited the time when he should have
the opportunity of displaying his tact.
Punctually to minute did the train
glide noiselessly into the station, and
then Immediately commenced that in
describable confusion and noise when it
discharged its incongruous load on to
the platform, scene so we'll known at
all large city railway stations.
Butterworth speedily recognized q
i, young lady whose appearance CORE
sponded with the description he had
received from Scotland Yard. But could
she be the same? "Surely," he solilo-
pulsed, ''the London police must be at
fault" He thought this more particu-
larly after casual glance at her face.
He remarked that the lady accord
ing to his idea-yery lovely; she had
such large, dark brown, and languishinQ
eyes, which appeared to gaze on him,
though but for an instant. Moreover
she lad such q sweetly innocent ex-
preston. She bore, however, . dis.
5slsss tEi b &$g 5z.