Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-27
AS SMOOTH AS OIL
A 8hrewd EWindler With Exalted Self.
Made Connections.
He Beat Hotels and Boarding Houses
However, and Will Now Get Sixty
Days Free Living.

John Smith. alias Capt. Reid" called the
clerk OF the Police Court this morning The
young man who stepped up to the bar of
justice was q most unusual person. He
looked to be about twenty-five years Of age.
His clothes were stylish in cut. but rather
the worse for wear. His waistcoat was of
heavy corduroy, and on the right breast he
had pinned a pince-nez. hanging from a
long gold chain. He had the bearing of a
gentleman, and told a very plausible story
when put upon the stand.
You are charged with being a s'picious
person; rye guiltier no. guilty?"
Well. will admit, your honor, that my
actions at the time Of my arrest were sus-
picious but, really. you know. 1 meant no
harm"
Detectives Helan and Sutton testified
that the captain belonged to the genus
deadbeat and that hotels and boarding
houses were his especial prey. He stayed
nearly four days at the National Hotel but
he was compelled to leave the hotel and
also his luggage. Then the Raleigh gave
ham shelter for twenty-four hours and he
left nothing there but an unpaid board bill
A boarding house on X street was honored
by his presence for a couple OF days. and
ne was putting up at a house on 18th street.
where the landlady came to the conclu-
sion that his actions were not such as to
inspire confidence.
A Graphic Recital.
1t was the old story OF remittances from
home that for some unaccountable reason,
failed to appear. His father. a retired
British officer. lives in Manchester, Eng
land. and was to have sent him a draft for
200 pounds. but somehow forgot to send 1t.
What is your name, Smith or Reid?'
asked the judge.
My name is Reid. your honor. 1 am a
son of Col. T. H. Reid. v. c., Of the sd
Welsh Fusileers. He served in the Crimean
war. and was presented with the Victoria
cross Tor distinguished bravery"
What is your business in this country p
am correspondent of the London
Graphic and Strand, and also of a French
paper. the Paris Gaulois."
Have you any credentials?'
unfortunately. your honor, / have moth
ing but my unsupported word. / am not
beat. and have not the slightest intention
or desire to defraud any one. 1t is true
have said that l was nephew of Secre-
tary Carlisle, and that falsehood, 1 pre-
sumo, prejudices you against me-"
At Judge Kimballs request Capt" Reid
named over number of Manchester news
papers, but he seemed never to have heard
of the Manchester Guardian, one of the
test-known English papers.
Meeting the President.
did you ever say that you were a friend
of President ClevelanIs""
Il had the distinguished honor of meet
ing your President at Mr.. Gresham's
funeral in Chicago. l have called to pay
my respects to the British ambassador
Since / have been in the city, but the in
terview lasted only a few minutes"
Shall communicate with Sir Julian?'
Il am afraid 1t would be useless"
The captain" begged earnestly not to be
sent to Jail. saying that II would only ruin
his reputation and In no wise help the
hon faces whom he owed.
Il am an Englishman. and suppose that
IS against me here. but really We are not as
black as We are painted"
Judge kimball told him that IL he was en-
Enghshman. which he very much doubted,
it would not initiate against him in the
slightest.
Then the son of the wearer of a Victoria
Cross was sent to the work house for sixty
days, in default of bonds in the sum of 500
The detectives say that when he was ar
rested he had in his pocket letter from
Holkoye. Mass. and that 1t was signed,
Your affectionate father, John Smith,