The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-10-19

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RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
fer some depreciation. Under these cir
cumstances it would be well for peo
pie visiting Washington to be careful
whom they employ. It Is generally
best for strangers to secure carriages
from the hotel clerks, because they are
careful to whose care they commit their
guests.
Zone Of these fellows was called by
lady on Pennsylvania avenue last
March, and he carried her to visit a
friend on Connecticut avenue. She
still wore her winter furs; but, as the
day was growing warm, she left her
furs in the carriage, while she entered
the home of her friend. No sooner had
the door closed, than the hackman
drove hastily down the avenue until he
met one Of his kind, and gave the furs
to him. Then he drove back, and await
ed the return Of the lady. She re-
entered the carriage, and drove to her
hotel, without thinking of her furs I'M
til she alighted at the hotel entrance.
She looked for them, asked for them,
and implored the driver to find them
for her, saying that she valued them not
only because they were costly, but be-
cause they were given to her as a
Christmas present by very dear
friend. The driver insisted that he
knew nothing of them, had not seen
them, had not turned around once In his
seat, and suggested that they might
have fallen out of the carriage. He
promised to drive Immediately back
over tile route to look for them. This
he did, and returned to inform the lady
that they could not be found.
''The hotel proprietor reported the
case to police headquarters, and l had
no difficulty in locating the driver, be-
cause l know all of them. He acknowl-
edged having waited on the lady, and
he brought nine hackmen who swore
that they had seen him driving rapidly
back, looking for the furs, as he in
formed them at the time. Two of the
hackmen testified that they accom-
panied him In his diligent search for
the lost furs. Long after the lady had
left Washington, ! learned how the
trick had been performed, but could
never locate the furs,, and hence there
has been no prosecution"
So much for the hackmen. These in
stances of their criminal practices
should be sufficient to warn all readers
against employing hackmen here, with
out knowing something of them
Now as to the policemen. The force
In the national capital is in better con-
dition than it has been for years. Maj.
Sylvester, the chief, has been newspa-
per man all his life, but has been also
employed at police headquarters for a
number of years. He was appointed to
his present position Less than two
years ago, by President Mckinley, who
has personally known him for long
time He has taken hold Of his work
with vigor, vigilance and integrity.
He has paid especial attention to the
inspection of his force, and has con-
slant information concerning the char
acter and work of every man. The po-
hceman who neglects his duties now
cannot remain on the force, for his
derelictions will be discovered.
There Is a restaurant on Seventh
street, within two blocks of police head
quarters, where many business men
and department clerks go for their
lunches, because they are served In
German style and the cooking is excel
lent. About 1880 o'clock yesterday,
a big policeman entered the back room,
took off his helmet. belt. coat and
waistcoat, and sat down to lunch. He
first drank glass of beer, and then or
dered another glass of beer with his
lunch. He had not been there more
than five minutes, when in walked Maj.
Sylvester, his chief. The major picked
up the helmet, belt and club, and
walked away with them, without say
ing word to the officer. That was
sufficient notice that he was discharged.
How Maj. Sylvester knew the man
was there nobody knows, and the off,
Ger is probably guessing.
SMITH D. FRY.