The times., 1899-07-20
Purpo-eIy Lost.

An odd scheme recently evolved and
tried by a Boston newspaper. presents
unique features which suggest some
serious reflections to the thoughtful
observer. The Globe OF that city
had wagered fifty dollars that man
could be lost for week in Boston, un-
discovered by the police. the detectives. the
newspapers, or any Of the citizens. It
found an ordinary looking young man
named John Forbes. and turned him loose
with instructions to surrender himself to
anyone who addressed him by his right
name. He was TO go anywhere he liked
within a certain radius, including Boston
and several suburban towns. and each day
he must send in a report OF his doings,
which was to be printed in the paper. A
newspaper cut of him was on view, and
all facilities given for his detection
which could be given were ne a criminal
seeking to escape justice. In fact, it should
be easier TO find him than the criminal,
because he was not disguised in any way,
| and did not keep in hiding, but walked
about the streets and went to the theatres
and hotels. The newspaper which was
backing him agreed to pay fifty dollars
to anyone who detected him within week.
During the first day of his career, this
young man who had lost himself pur-
posely ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner at
public restaurants, went to two theatres
visited the State House, enquired his way
about the city. and went into several
places of business. Nobody stopped him
or looked at him curiously. He is about
five feet six, dark-complexioned, smooth
| faced, and twenty-six years old-just an
ordinary young American, apparently en- a
pleasure excursion TO the city. One of the
detectives OF the city said that there were
ninety nine chances out of a hundred that
nobody would find the young man.
This indicates several things One is
that if a man has no special popularity
| by which he may be recognized it would
/ be very hard to find him even il he were
the worst wanted man in the world An
other is that il is easier to be lost in a
city than anywhere else. because city peo-
pie are not observing. Nine-tenths of
us walk along the streets without notic-
| ing anything or any person We meet, unless
some remarkable -oddity attracts our at
tention or we see some one we know. 1t
may be argued also that the Boston de-
tectives are not very brilliant set of
men. but Boston has right 10 challenga
the detectives of any other city to sim
liar trial.
or course, a great deal depended on
the astuteness and shrewdness of the prin-
| cipal actor in this little drama. He had ad-
vantages over some other people who do
not want to be found. in that nobody in
| the city knew him, and in that he had
plenty Of money, so that he could keep
continually in motion. The people OF an
American city. also. are generally dis
posed to mind their own business. and
pay but little attention to a well-behaved,
unobtrusive stranger who minds his. Mr..
Forbes was also fortunate in having face
and figure without distinctive character
istics. To anyone who does not want to
be found, the greatest treasure is an or
binary appearance. Most criminals, being
abnormal either by nature or habits, show
It by some trick of manner or conforma-
tion OF feature; and the same is true OF