The record-union., 1897-04-15
OFFICER HARDY'S DISGUISE.
He Shaved Off His Luyuriant WhiSkerS
Last Night
Then the Police Officers, Newspaper
Men and Best Friends Were
Fooled.
u.ya ,,o,, coon Pill Hardy?

No? Well, you wouldn't know him
he's a sight.
Yesterday Officer Hardy rejoiced in a
wealth of whiskers. To-day his face
is as smooth as-as a BARRIERS razor
could make it.
Captain Fisher had lots of fun last
night with Hardy. He took him
around town and when they would
meet some intimate acquaintance OF
Hardys Fisher would say:
DO you know this man? I've picked
him up as a suspicious character, but
he says you used to know him and
can vouch for him."
Invariably the answer was: Why,
1 never saw the fellow before. he's
playing you!"
Then Hardy wuld mention the citi-
zens' name and other things to prove
he knew the citizen, but nobody would
vouch for him.
Fisher brought Hardy into the Rec
ord-Union'' reporters room and ad-
dressing one of the scribes said:
This man I found lurking about the
alley down here and acting in a sus-
picious manner. I was going to run
him in, but he said you knew him, and
a hard-looking case, but if you know
he's all right, I'll let him CO.
The reporter looked the supposed
hobo over critically and replied: Il
don't know the man. 1 may have
seen him a long time ago, but can't
place him" Turning to the culprit,
he asked:
Where did you ever know me?"
The fellow was 10th to talk much
and spoke only in short sentences. It
knew you over twenty years ago, when
you were employed in IS office. And
L know some of your relatives"
That's right, 1 guess" said the re-
porter. Il was there, and 1 may have
known you, but I can't recall you now
Were you hanging about the building
here to see me?"
'Nno. not particularly" he an
swered
Well said the Police Captain. II
don't know what to do with him unless
I run him in. We're clearing the city
of suspicious characters, and if this
man isn't one 1 am much mistaken
Il know that man over there" said
the prisoner, pointing to the telegraph
editor. His names F-n"
We'll, l don't know you,' said the
telegraph editor, Il never saw you be-
fore"
I'D advise you" said the reporter,
mot to hang around the alley, who
ever you are, and to give the officers
no cause to arrest you. But I can't
guarantee your good conduct, for l
cont know who you are
If I'd tell you my name, you'd re-
member me quick enough" remarked
the prisoner
Just then another member of the staff
came in.
Say said the Captain, there's
man I've arrested as a suspicious char
acter He says he knows you, and you
know him. I'd like to know if he's
telling the truth
Where did you ever know me?" ask
ed the newcomer of the prisoner, eye
ing him sharply.
Well. l knew you in San Francisco
many years ago. You We're a member
or Hiawatha Tribe of Red Men. and l
belonged to another tribe I remember
you Well Mr.. -, and I've known you
here. l don't see why you decline to
recognize me. now that a word from
you might keep me out of trouble"
That's So said the one addressed.
Il guess he knows me all right. but 7
don't remember him. though 1 Go think
I've seen him somewhere Say. what's
your name, my man."
Hardy" was the response.
Hardy Hardy! I don't know anyone
about here of that name except Bin
Hardy. the policeman. Tell me your
right name"
Well. I'm Bill Hardy, the police
mani"
So it was. And then everyone knew
him-why, Of course,
But there wasn't one that knew him
until he had proved that it was really
Bill Hardy, minus his whiskers What
added to the difficulty of recognizing
him was the old. dilaDidated hat he
wore and a ragged coat.
Hardy had sacrificed his whiskers in
the interest of the law He was out
to surprise gamblers. and all that him
dered him from pulling" all the games
was the fact that the sports had heard
of the Mayors new order and shut
down their games before Hardy could
get in his work.
But this wasn't all. The newly
shaven officer came near being locked
up by Sergeant McManus, and this is
how it happened:
Officer Hardy had captured a Chinese
lottery proprietors, and when he took
his prisoner to the station officer Hig-
gins walked in with him. Sergeant
McManus ignored the Chinaman. and
started in to search the white man.
At about the fourth pass ne fshed
up Hardy's gun, and admonished Hig-
gins 10 search his prisoners before he
brought them in. Hardy escaped a
cell only by making himself known. He
disguise was simplicity itself.
After the Chinaman had been com
fortably lodged the officer visited a
number of his friends, none of whom
knew him. He persistently begged from
a gentleman he had known for twenty
years. until the latter was constrained
to call Captain Fisher to arrest him for
vagrancy.
Chief Drew and the entire force were
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