Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

the law as a dazzling example was a mo-
mentous consideration. 1t may be observ-
ed that a great corporation never knows an
evil doer a; an individual. but regards him
wholly as an example," indeed, the closest
relationship and services that have en-
dured through many years can be forgot
ten by a great institution when it sets out to
establish an example. And 1 have often
wonder ID Why some one has not taken up
the business of professional example, to
undergo a sentence TO prison, for rea-
sonable salary, to show to the world that
the great corporation is determined to en-
force honesty. Well, five thousand dollars
were taken one night from the express Of
flee in Springdale The safe was blown
open, the town trembled for three days in
a delirium of excitement, and the agent
with a bruise on his head, lay in his room
a. the ta"ern. At that time l was operat-
ing a detective agency in Louisville (truly
a despicdble calling. l must say, and the
division superintendent of the express COM
pany sent for ne. A great man was he
Consciously impressive, portly, with ami
NAL life running like an engine within him.
AS l eat red mis- private apartment he
turned in his chair and, looking at me
moment, said:
80 you are Capt. Blake?"
My name IS Blake; yes, sir
Il suppose you have heard of our little
affair down in the country?
Yes; have read an account of 1t.
What do you think
ut is only now. sir, that 1 have found
1t 20 my advantage to think
''Ah: l see" And after short pause he
added: Now. I'll tell you what we have
done. aud then Ill tell you what We want
you 10 do. The agent at Springdale mas
been dTreS ted
He paused and looked at me as if he ex-
pected me TO show astonishmcnt, but L
didn't. l simply said: Yes" and he con-
tinUed: About six years ago he came to
most highly recommended, strictly sober,
ard with no bad habits. There is no bank
in the town, and on numerous occasions he
has been intrusted with large sums of
money. lie is of a good family, and during
many years his father has been cashier of
a bank in this city
He leaned back in his chair stroked his
side whiskers and looked at me, and
fancied that l could hear the great engine
of health pumping within him. Il author
lied his arrest last night he went on, land
1 have a dispatch telling me that the town
is greatly excited The physician is unable
to decide whether not the blow on the
head was self-intiicted, but he agrees that
il looks suspicious
Well" said /. what do you want me to
dO?"
Il have a scheme" he answered. There
have been many similar cases, you I'M
derstand, that / believe we could convict
him upon the testimony of the physician
and other suspicious circumstances; and
although it is necessary for to have an
example, you understand, yet | should like
to know beyond question whether or not he
is guilty. 1 may be over particular. but,
the fact is, l want him to make a confess
sion. / may be trifie soft-hearted, you
understand. but I'd like TO know
Don't you always want to know" l
asked.
"Oh, yes; surely" he quickly replied
but as general thing We are willing for
the law to settle that point and act accord
inGly- But down in that part of the coun-
try an example is badly needed, and if
this fellow Haines could he brought to
confess. why it would be-well. it would be
lNnh hFrrgr for lyr,ry
And your scheme?"
rs this. l want you to be put into the
cell with him, win his confidence and
worm a confession out of him."
Rather old Sc heme," I was bold
enough to reply.
"Oh. I've been told you are a most dis
couraging man. but 1 am determined upon
this, and am willing to pay handsomely
for your services, and if you succeed the
amount of compensation shall be doubled"
This, of course, interested me- and dur
ing more than an hour We laid our plans
ana talked them over, and when 1 left him
1t was with these words: You may depend
upon 1t that l shall do my duty
That evening an officer conducted me
a'onS the main street of Sprngdale. The
sight of the handouts upon my wrists
caught the eyes of the corner loungers and
soon crowd was following US and occa-
siHnalty heard the remark: Got him all
right, haven't they?' / heard the words
horse thief, 1 bet you." and as unimpul-
slVe as am turned around to confront a
HottIed face. The officer who knew MOTH
ing or the superintendent scheme-Who
was proud to be made so important-gaye
me jerk, and the mob applauded him. BY
the time We reached the Jail the air was
iull OF horse thief" l had no sooner been
showed through the door into the corridor
than the words hang him. smote my ears
like a blow from mallet, for 1 knew the
aohorrence In which my countrymen held
the steaung OF horse; that, charged with
any other crime, a man might hope for
some sort of hearing, but that to be s11s-
pected of horse theft was moro than likeIv
10 mean deaf ears and quick action. The
mob was now fierce. The jailer, a fat and
humorous old fellow, stepped out 1 stood
In the corridor just behind him Near me
stood man holding key waiting to show
me to my quarters.
Boys" said the jailer, what do YOU
vant?'' 'o'
You know what we want. Buck" re-
phed lank fellow VINO had assumed COM
mand outside. I'VE want that boss thief,
Bill, there amt no boss thief herep'
Tell that up at Bear Waller an I'D the
right fork of Big Sandy, but don't tell il to
Us. Ihat Teller stole the Wilder Cages
moss, and we want him."
Who says so?''
Why, Alb, here And saw him nod at
fellow standing near, and the light held
at an upper window fell upon his mottled
How do you know, Ab?" the taller ask ID
why MCGEE lowed he was the man
ana he was with the fellers that got after
where's MCGEE? Let him Identify him.
And If he's tbs man, I'll agree to hang him
myself, and then eat foot of the rope
NO, boys. you are wrong this time. You
nave hung fellers out of here all right
enough but you'd make a mistake this
ume, and 1t amt exactly right to make
such mistakes. 1 ricollect they hung the
wrong man over at Hover not long ago.
ana II caused good deal of talk and some
III feelin', so I advise you to be more par
ucular. Now, If you want to know righ+
pad, II tell you what the man is charged
out with it, the leader cried.
ny, they do say that he killed man."
The light was still held at the window
ana saw the eager and expectant coun,
tehance OF the leader droop to disappoint-
ment.
Buck, is that straight?'
AS rope pullin' a bucket out of a we'll -
All right, them" said the leader, turn
ing about. There air occasions when q