Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-22
Billy Pinkerton. 1t was like the Pinker-
tons to detect in this almost beardless boy


tons to detect in this almost beardless boy
| a remarkably intelligent person.
| Pippin was offered employ ulent, he ac-
cepted it, and was sent at once to a small
town in Illinois to find out band of thieves
who were stealing hogs and robbing shops.
If Doc had tried he could never have be-
come a good dresser. Even clothes that
were made for him didn't fit, and he wore
his hat crosswise. like the leading man at
French funeral. His appearance upon
this occasion was in his favor. and he was
toughest lot OF loafers in the town. They
liked Doc, as every one did who Knew
him. but It was a long time before they
would trust him. Docs money gave out
him the laugh. eft out an turn a trick
work." said one of the men.
What can I do? Show me and then
watch me-" said Doc.
the tough. nodding down the road where
lone horseman was going away with the
sunset en- his back.
Yes"
well. hes goin out to his place in the
country-goes every Sat-day night an
comes back Monday-hoid i'm up
Doc knew the man. as he knew nearly
every man In the place, by the description
given him at Chicago. and by the middle
of the following week this wealthy citizen
had been notified from headquarters that
he would be held up on the next Saturday
night. Doc was at his post, and as the
lone horseman came down the road the
hi2hwayman stepped out from the shadows
of jack oak and covered his man.
That night the gang drank up the best
part OF $3.50 and voted Doc "a dead game
TOUGHER"
The verdancy Of the gang he had to
deal with made Docs work comparatively
ee sy. He invariably drank gin and wa
ter and by a simple trick that child
ought to have detected-the trick Of drink
ing the water and leaving the gin--he was
always sober
Wien the proceeds Of Docs raid had
been expended, together with the 81 re-
ceived fer the ''jay's'' watch. the gang de-
teiTnined to rob a hardware store. The
job had been undertaken once, but had
failed. The time, at Docs suggestion was
fixed Upon election night. great many
farmers. he said. would be In to vote and
trade and the people being either drunk
or tired. ould sleep soundly when once
asleep. and the gang voted that Doc was
a great thinker.
The time arrived. the store was enter
ed and when they were all in. Doc ducked
down be hind the counter and reached the
rear end Of the store. Now a big bull s-eye
was turned upon the gang, who arose from
their work to look down the dark barrels
Of a half dozen shotguns. One Of the gang,
seeing Doc with the sherif's party, made
q play for his pistol. but the sheriff showed
his shotgun yet nearer the robbers face
and said. softly: BE quiet" and he was
calm.
The next day the father of one Of the
gang. who was himself hard man, made
an attempt to kill the detective, and, hav-
ing done his work. Doc departed Friends
of the accused hired u lawyer. who made
a beautiful picture Of these innocent lads
who had lived all their lives in this quiet
country town. and who had never been
guilty of a wrong until they were en-
couraged and trapped into 1t by the wick
ed young detective.
Alas for the criminals: ore of the gang
gave up to the sheriff, and by the finding
OF stolen goods AID the property of a man
who had been murdered. they were all,
save the. one who had weakened. sent to
Joliet. where they are still receiving their
mail. ----
Young Pippin's success in this now cele-
DRAFTED case for him the full conf
dence Of the agency. and before he had
reached Chicago other important work
was mapped out for him. but to the sur
prise of the agency he refused to accept
another assignment.
Il could not bear" he said to me, 1.-The
Thought of living u whole life that was a
he-to appear always to be that whtcn l
MOTTO mix and rlingle constantly
with the wicked OF this world, in which
there should be so much happiness.
1T is a great and Important work which
ought to be done. but it is not for me-"
Returning TO the west again Plppin en-
postal clerk.
Finding a letter in the mall marked to
me he took his blue pencil and wrote on
the back of the envelope: "Hello-Doc-
r. NJ. S." and knew then that he was III
the railway mail service.
1t was some tirie after the receipt of
this brief message that the meeting in the
sleeping car already referred TO. occurred.
and it was during his many visits TO me
at Denver that hs related the detective
stories herein retold.
How is it, asked one day. that you
are assistant superintendent Of the mail
service in the west. when you are under
thirty, and new, comparatively new, at
the business"
Hard luck" said Doc, smiling sadly,
COT Ching and humping his chest.
Then 1t was that he began to tell me
some of hts experiences in the postal car,
but be did not tell it all. He was as mod
est as he was honest. and would not tell
to me- his friend. the real tales of hero
ism in which he was himself the hero
He told enough, however, to interest me
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