The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-16
GREEN FLAGANDC CHAPMAN
BOTH ED TO BRING BACK Mh'
IRWIN,S STOLE len BIOTCLE.

NE MAD Boon Toia In an A~nouynons Letter 20
Hang Out the Fing ne Evidence OF sooe
|. Faith and the wheel Would Ne etven Up
for n Rsward-Get Chapman 20 "A'c"'
For fifteen years Charles o'Connor IRWIN
has had an employment agency at Sixtn ave
nue and Eleventh street. A number OF drug
gists. merchants. and booksellers have also
carried on their business in the vicinity Tor
many years, and acquaintance among
them has ripened into an intimacy which brings
them together at luncheon six days In the week
and which has led to their playing many pr"e-
tical jokes on ono another.
Some time ago Mr.. Irwin had q violent az
tack Of the bicycle fever. He purchaser
wheels for himself and the members OF his am
lily and monopolized the conversation at the
daily gathering Of merchants with gossip OF
centuries brakes, and sprockets.
ct wish you would lose your wheel. Charley,
or break your neck said one Of his neighbors.
Anything would be better than this eternal
CAB about what you've done, where you've rid
den, and ell that.
But Mr.. Irwin continued to talk. Last week.
however, his wheel was stolen. The robbery
was a bold one. The thief calmly entered the
anteroom OF Mr.. TWINS office. nodded to a
number of women seeking cmployment,- and
picking up the bicycle, carried 1t downstairs.
Capt. Chapman of the Mercer street station
was appealed to and he made q personal inves'
~tigation.
That day at luncheon Twins friends heard
nothing but stories Of wheels stolen and rocov'
cred, the best manner in which to apprehend
the thief, and, in fact, everything germane to
tho subject of lost bicycles. Somebody
suggested that Mr.. Irwin should have dodgers
printed describing the wheel and offering a re.
word. This was done, and the dodgers were
TisestTSee the !" dodgers HsSr bought bro forth an anony.
nous letter which read:
DEAR SIR: As can't pawn the wheel eel, re- ,o
O'Clock, II you will be there to receive it, tender
reward and ask no questions. You know l took
but nobody would take the damn thing. Il
yon will take the wheel back and Be ready for II.
window this morning until noon as q guaran-
tee Ct s good ID faith ,aSh., ! will walk by and look at IT.
Johnny, give me my hat and get, a green
nag exclaimed Mr.. Irwin when he had read
."Whati" asked the office boy.
HAT. green flag, quick" repeated Mr.. Irwin.
I'm off for the police station. Don't ask any
Excited and out. of breath from running Mr.;
Irwin burst into the Mercer street station and
hastily entered Capt. Chapman's room. >,
We've. got him sure. 1knew we'd get him,
Got whol' asked Capt. Chapman.
"The thief, the fellow that took my wheel
Just read his letter. the impudent scoqndrel;.
PH' AStha 49, aSht>A
Wolfe, who did likewise.
"a bold thief" commented the Captain.
Much more,' said Detective Wolfe.
w must get him" said the Captain.
1--WE must" agreed his henchman.
we will put out a green flag" continued TIT
I'VE WILL echoed the detective. .
Then we will watch for q man to look at II
with satisfactory expression of face concluded
Yes. We will watch said the detective;
"But-but, Captain, If you watch beRar
Irwin, the thief, If he secs You with you
Not another word of apology. Mr.. Irwin
said tho Captain with authority. Il am will
ing to give my personal attention to this mat
, x green fire screen tackled to an old broom
!, handle served as n flag. Chapman watched
> one side of the street and tho detective the other
:. Irwin Razed out of the window. Not q passer
by seemed to notice the sign. but all OF Irwin
friends came out of their stores frequently b
see II 1t was still there. For q couple of hour
:. Chapman. the detective and Irwin eagerl!
scanned the face Of every man. woman o
i. child who passed the flag. Then Irwin calle
them he told the story. At its conclusion on
of the party was nearly doubled up with laugh
ter and the rest Joined in. Irwin was stae
"Ehl' he exclaimed. what the devil is-At
l see. all q oke17ycs just a little joke.funny
by"
He ran out of tho store and sought Cap
Chapman. Apologies were made In vain.
, This is a darn poor joke Chapman said t
! tho detective.
station. Mr.. Irwin hasn't got his wheel bac