The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-03-31
In Tight Place, or the Rescue of a
Boy.
A DETECTIVE "REMINISCENCES BY B. {. CRAB


The affair from which my sketch was
taken occurred some five years ago in one
of our New England towns, situated on the
proud Merrimac, and where the hum of
the busy spindle and loom may be heard
daily.
About thee miles from the village post
office lived man who kept what might
be termed disreputable house, which
was great source of annoyance to all the
good, law-abiding people of the town.
The roads leading to this house from all
sides were through a dense growth of
young forest trees, and at night time the
darkness was intense; so much so, that it
was almost impossible to discover a per-
son or object three feet away. None of
the townspeople ever visited the house,
because of the frequent reports which
came to them by travellers. whose duty
that bowling crowds of toughs, from the
neighboring villages, We're constant fire.
quenters, coming in teams, and bringing
liquor and women with them, remaining
nearly through the night. Complaints
had been entered to the town authorities
concerning this man and his nefarious
business, but the officials seemed power
less to break it up. In the day time all
was very quiet. and not the least sign of
anything wrong being carried on by this
man in or about the house. 1t was true
that women had been seen about the
premises during the day time, and as no
work apparently was done by any Of the
occupants, it gave rise to many comments
by the villagers and townspeople.
The proprietor of the house or Lake
Grove Cottage" as it was thus known,
had some two years since abandoned a
only child, boy three years of age. 1t
had nearly broken the mothers heart,
and, together with the cruel treatment
which she had previously received from
this brutal husband, had left the poor
woman a total wreck of humanity.
The mother had appealed to the proper
authorities many times for the custody of
her boy. but all to no avail. The answer
would be, ''We can do nothing although
several attempts had been made to obtain
the child by raiding the house The
mother was positive that her boy was
there with his brutal and demon father.
as he had been seen at play about the cot
tage by travellers.
My attention was called to the matter
by an uncle of the boy. who asked my
advice. and also if | could in any way
obtain possession of the boy. | gave
the uncle to understand that, if the place
was half as bad as had been set forth, |
thought it would be humane act to Sc
cure the lad, and restore him to his mother.
The uncle also informed me that it was
OF no use for the officers or people of the
vicinity to make further attempts to OBJ
tain the boy, as this man and his friends
had given out warning that if any further
movements We're made, they would be shot
down on the spot. The neighbors were
all frightened at the bold assertions of the
man. said the uncle, ''and dare not pass
the house after dark
| took the case, and started out with
a determination to rescue the boy. or die
in the attempt. Arriving in the town,
engaged board with good, kind farmer.
who had everything comfortable for my
accommodation. | had not been long at
this place before | had all the partc-
ulars concerning the notorious resort that
nation upon the fair name Of the town and
its inhabitants.
The business that | assumed was that
OF looking up deserted farms. and also
gaining knowledge in reference to young
men who have left their homes for the
busy city life. During my walks about
lated cottage, where the object of my mis-
sion was supposed to be concealed, and,
at the same time, taking in the surround
ings as much as possible.
During one of my accommodating tours,
ventured to call at this notorious re-
sort, and have social chat with the pro-
prietor on farming, and the general pros
poets of the future. | found the cot
tage situated, as previously stated, in
rather a gloomy place, and were any one
to be found in such locality after dark,
their prospect for getting away with
whole skin would not be very encourage
ing. l made known my business, as my
summons was answered by fair looking
young man, and after being invited in,
was received in a very hospitable man
ner. During our conversation, | learned
that the man before me was the proprietor,
and that he was not very favorably i'm
pressed with farming. | read the man
before me at once. and was not long in
making up my mind what to do
threw myself into his confidence by ask
ing his advice on matters pertaining to the
general business of the town and county,
and also his opinion why SO many young
men were leaving for the busy city.