The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-04-18
detectives 20 meet me on arrival of the

W htl Nut NIulh Nho llAhtth III bhD
baggage part of the smoking car its
owner got on board and took his sent
among the smokers. As innocent rs
babe ] pumped down beside him
and in a right friendly way offered
him n cigar, which, like gentleman,
he accepted. Then, putting our cigars
together as chummy as you please, we
soon got acquainted and had truly
delightful chat-principally about the
weather, though, for the fellow was
mighty careful to avoid other topics
"When we reached New York l
found 1t necessary to attend to some
business, which concerned him rather
more than he thought. so shaking
hands goodbye and expressing
hope TO become better acquainted, |
left him watched by my town con
stables while l sought my smarter city
detectives and put them onto him.
"His drayman was on hand waiting
near the baggage-room. As soon as
he got the trunk on his cart and drove
off ways my smoking friend was
neatly "collared and cuffed" and
marched in an opposite direction be-
tween two valiant policeman. Then
the detectives and my self took cab
and started after the trunk.
Through streets becoming dirtier
and wickeder we followed, without at
tracing suspicion from the drayman,
until he stopped before an apparently
unoccupied house and prepared TO un.
load. Ere he could do so one detec'
tive jumped on his cart, and without
speaking started his horse ahead again.
The other, aided by me, grabbed the
fellow and prevented him from max
ing an outcry to alarm his pal in the
trunk. Immediately several police
men who l didn't know were following
behind suddenly appeared and burst
into the house which turned out to be
fence for the thieves.
"Leaving our surprised drayman IN
charge of some of the officers we
seated ourselves in the cab and again
followed the trunk to police station
house, into which it was carried and
placed in front of the captains desk
on the floor.
"Then silently we awaited results.
! y
burning to let our game see where he
was we rightly supposed he would
think himself safe at home and act ac-
cordingly. Prepared to turn on the
gas full blaze when he did so, we
watched the trunk. For perhaps fif-
teen anxious minutes it seemed life
less. Then we heard movement in
side. heard bolt drawn and saw the
| lid slowly rise and head cautiously
appear. Up went the gas and ovel
went the trunks lid, pulled by al
armed office. At first the head, or its
face rather, wore happy, tri
umphant, broad grin; then as things
didn't look familiar its eyes opened
wider in an effort to understand mat
ters. while the grin faded away like &
rainbow. Then, as the facts of the
| case forced themselves on the bur
glars startled brain the poor fellow
hair Strengthened, his eyes bulged out
2 like Holsters and the astonishment
e and terror depicted on his youthful
t but evil features beat acting all hollow
"'Come out of that, You scamp I!
, shouted the police captain as soon a'
3 he could talk for laughing, 'and Civ,
l an account of yourself. What's tn,
name of this particular racket any
how?'
"The burglar tried to laugh also
! ! but it was dismal failure. 'Oh, that
4 all right, he grinned, Il took yez fol
the conductor. That's why l wa
scared. Yer see, I've been beating
= the railroad, boss. 'Taint every chal
Q kin git ahead of old Vanderbilt ant
= Chauncey Dee-pue. But don't tel
'em, kors they'll be a-opening all tn,
t trunks on the line and the wimmiI
t might object. Ha, ha, ha f! Say, ,purt.
slick trick, wasn't it?'
e ''The burglars bluff was good, but
it didn't work for cent.
e "'What yer doing with those
D watches in the trunk?' asked a police
man rs he fished them out after tn,
l fellow had painfully managed to craw
y out himself.
t "'Seein if the road runs on time
c boss. The blamed train was ten min
d utes late and I'm goin to report it
y Say, yer hain't got a swaller of whisk,
yer cOulu lena llfeu ltdNSleI, ney
e Couldn't get at the water cooler, ye
d know.
"'Well, you'll have no trouble get
ting at the cooler now. Lock hin
q up, Sergeant. Wen give him anothe
u free trip tomorrow.
: "Of to the cell they took tn
Il wretch, and then we examined hi
trunk. 1t was padded inside so tina
d being tossed about by baggage
= smashers couldn't hurt. There wer
y pockets made to button in the lining
/ but only couple We're filled with hi
= plunder Some empty TASKS an'
crumbs of food we found. In the bot
9 tom and sides were ventilating an
u peepholes. A mau might live a wee
in that trunk, l think, If his provision
y held out.
II In a week or so ] received II motto
% to appear in a New York court TO Civ
u my testimony and identify th= thing
stolen at my own home, most of whic
? we recovered. saw the trunk again
. and its occupant, but guess he kne'
u me better than / did him. -Detroi
'e Free Press.