Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-03-30
Detectives Wanted"

She came into the Office of the chief,
Barry Lawrence, with a frightened
look in her big brown eyes, reaching
out trembling hand as she approached
the detective, in which was held a
morning paper.
81 came in answer to this, sir, and
Barry Lawrence took the paper, as
with half-closed eyes he looked at the
girl narrowly, and after a close scru-
tiny the eyes fell upon the sheet be-
fore him to few printed lines, where
the long slender finger of the girl
pointed.
That is intended for men, said the
chief, as he arose to his feet.
"But you didn't specify, sir The
girls voice trembled, and there was a
world of appeal in the big brown
eyes.
'"Hhat is understood, he said, and
resumed his cigar.
"You want detectives, sir" Her
hands were tightly clinched now, and
the chief noticed how cold and blue
they looked and how wan and pitiful
the white young face. Her clothing,
too, looked very poor
Come to the fire, he said, kindly,
and knocking the ashes from his eli
gar, handed the girl chair.
"What is it you want to dol" Law
renee stirred the fire briskly.
The girl cleared her voice and looked
more hopeful.
why, anything that you have to
do, sir. She paused aud caught her
breath hard and continued; 81 must
have work, and l am notstrong enough
to do hard work. and | have never
49, 4, .-.sssssss
ular, and i haven't much Of an educa-
ton.
"Can you read and write?" the chief
asked
"Oh. yes, sir; anybody can do
that, naively, ''But l speak of an
education; that means good deal
more than that She spoke eagerly
and with the sound of longing in her
voice.
''Sow, what is your name and where
do you live?"
Margaret Lee" the girl answered.
81 live at No. 251 Melon street |
have lived in the city all my life. l
was born here.
parents living?"
my mother, sir, and have several
small sisters and brothers.
"What put the idea into your head
of being a detective?"
The chief was apparently becoming
deeply interested, and the frightened
look left the girls face and faint
color crept into her pale cheeks.
GIVE seen things at different times
in houses where I've worked and i'll
stores where things are missing, and
l often found out who did the wrong
and made the trouble when no one
else could, but / never told. 1t
wouldn't have done any good. And
when I was looking over the paper
this morning for work aud saw your
advertisement l thought | would
answer it.
"Heml How old are you?" asked
Barry.
''Twent-three
'Are you timid?"
81 am not afraid of most things,
but feel little afraid of you, sir. "
The chief laughed heartily now.
"Well, I'll tell you," he said 81
have some work l believe that you can
do; at least I'll try you. There is
good deal of stealing going on at Pot
ter's, on Fourth street, and so far
they haven't been able to fasten it on
any one.
"You go down there tomorrow
morning and apply for position. III
give them a tip meanwhile and YOU'D
will get the place.
"Now, am not going to give you 4
single direction. If you are detecI
tive you know what to do. Others
are coming in now. Good morning,
and few moments later Margaret Lee
found herself fastening homeward
with lightened heart.
The next morning she took hef
place in the great wholesale house very
quietly after few moments converi
sation with one of the proprietorsI
performing apparently the same duties
as some of the other girls. N
'It's all lnonsense-shew won't amoulti
to anything" said the senior partndl
to Chief Lawrence as the latter strolid
lazily into the house few hours late
81 wish you had put on man, M
are sharper
"Tve put on several men, LawrenI
n
answered, ''and so far they haI
amounted to nothing. You say "A
stealing has been going on system It
ically for long time. You've vatcl4 E,
I've watched, and my men havs b 4