The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-01

him.
twas present at his most important
councils; was his constant travelling
companion In all lands; and, though a
young man, believe was, as no living
man had ever been, his trusted adviser
and friend.
Before proceeding with my story, l
cannot resist recalling his judgment Of
journalists, and particularly OF report
ers.
"Ah, Ralph Euston." he would say to
me, "you newspaper fellows are natural
detectives. No man can be successful
reporter without unconsciorsly being
detective. Energy, dauntlesaness,
persistence, cunning OF the best sort, al
most faultIess judgment, keen percep,,
tion OF human motives, with the added
endless friction which enables lightning
like conclusions, are all In the able re-
po.ler's makeup. In the best sense.
he ia the only true detective who ex-
lists"
E'Why them" / would ask. "do you
not make use OF them among your hum
dTed9 OF employees
because" and here the grim yet
kindly old fellow would always laugh
heartily, "their positive genius for un:.
raveling political, social and criminal
mysteries is only surpassed by their
mistaken and unshaEnble loyalty to
their news instinct. There 10 not
known human bsrdihood or sacrifice
they will not undergo to work out
likely theory; but the instant they
have achieved victory, they cease being
detectives. What they have gained
must then be flashed before all the
world"
was naturally proud that had
stood the test OF self control in this re.
gard. He had found me au ambitious
literary young fellow; the successful
correspondent, with rowing commits
sion, OF great daily journal Some.
thing which had written had pleased
him. He Immediately engaged me,
leaving my journalistic connection un.
disturbed.
Then, as afterward learned. he had
contriyed all manner OF shrewd devices
to entrap me into what he termed
"newspaper explosion" Superinten.
dents and assistant auperintendents
rushed at me with all manner OF conf.
dences. l was given keys with which
to unlock wondroIs card houses OF sen-
sation. I merely thanked this one or
that one appreciatively for their friend.
illness, perhaps occasionally remarking:
swell, WE'LL That would be good for
one, two or three columns las the case
might bel II / were still in the newspa.
per business"
Ioiten burned to utilize these false
clues. They were most adroitly and
temptingly placed before me. But by
mighty effort did resist. and so stolid-
ly withal that the open sesame and COM
plete trust, respect and, feel sure, at.
lection. finally came.
This was the condition Of things near
ly four years after I had become Allan
Dingleton's confidential employe and
almost constant companion, when, one
morning in early spring, great dla-
mond robbery had occurred in the city.
As consequence every available
operative, as the detective is termed Ia
these great American detective instltu'
tions, had been hastily dispatched from
the agency. Even bookkeepers, stem
ographers and record clerks were re-
auired in the unusual and imperative
demand to cover suspected points and
parties.
from the postmah to Mr.. Ding!eton in
his private Office.
While we were jointly running over
the letters, came upon large package
from the Southern Express Company.
which was one OF the agency's most i'm.
portant patrons. opened it and called
Mr.. Dingleton's particular attention to
1t.
He glanced at it's contents hastily,
arose from his chair. tramped up aud
down the room for few moments, and
finally turned to me with one oil his
most winsome smiles and said:
"Euston, will you 20 south for mer'
"To Patagonia, II you like"
"Will you take the train for Memphis
within an hour"
Certainly"
"rhankee, thankee. Another South
ern Express robbery; from package
in transit. See Superintendent Willis
at Memphis Confer with him; secure
everything possible bearing on the mat
ter; in fact, make thorough prelimi-
nary investigation upon which we may
base Ineligible future action"
While he was still saying this he had
put the mail packet in my hands and
we were on our way to the cashier for
liberal supply Of what is termed Tex.
pense money"
This supplied, lie shook my hand
heartily and added as was disappear
ing down tho stairway:
"If you should happen to strike
favorable clues, might ask you to 60
on with the operation. will wire your
authority and introduction to Willis.
Act under his instructions as the COM
pany's special agent Goodbye"
So far was in the dark. l was sim.
ply following the habit OF Implicit
obedience; the greatest lesson possible
to be learned by young man in BUSH
ness life. But as soon as could gather
my thoughts together, l realized that !
had been given unusual latitude; and
my affection and pride piqued me into
keenest anxiety and sternest resolve.
Icaught my train just as 1t was NOV
ing out OF tho railway station. was
the single passenger in the day parlor-
coach. This gave me opportunity to
examine the documents in my posses
sion wholly free from observation.
There was q large number OF search
ers," as official inquiries regarding lost
valuables arc called, with their "Re-
specially Referreds." These. read in
order OF date, told that money pack.
age. alleged to have contained $1,000,
had been transmitted by one Ezra
Smith. from Carrollton, Mississippi, to