The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-28
EASY TO BE A DETECTIVE
ALL ONE HAS TO DO Is TO SEND 4
"BUREAU" A FEW DOLLARS.
Nearning for Adventures of SIeuth
i'm Rural Communities OvercOmes
Common Sense.

In spite OF the countless newspapers that
reach the most -of-the-way parts of the
country with their records of crime and
their ceaseless warnings against the wiles
of criminals, bunco-steerers still find vic
tins in abundance and green-goods men
are able to gather in good money in suf-
ficient quantity to support them luxuri-
ously.
One of the most prosperous gratis is
the bureau that advertises its need for de-
tectives in every community. This bureau
says 10 the gullible that experience is not
required, the only requisite being strict
heed to the printed instructions sent out
from headquarters. Detective bureaus of
this character are located in nearly every
State capital and in all large cities that are
centers of great and prosperous rural ter
ritOries. The advertisements of these con-
Germs offer in consideration of small sum,
usually 50 or s., TO send an Official badge
(of TIM, a revolver Chat costs about 20
cents or 81, complete instructions as to
how to become a sleuth and one years sub
scription TO a valuable" detective maya
zine or paper So thoroughly has this
scheme been worked that there is scarcely
a rural community anywhere that is not
supplied with three or four of these quick
ly-made detectives. A story was heard not
long ago in a hotel corridor that admirably
illustrates the kind of material on which
these fake detective bureaus operate. The
narrative ran like this:
A young fellow in one of the county seats
of Indiana has an uncle residing in New
York city who is a detective of
considerable local fame. When a little
lad the nephew became fired with enthu-
siasm over the tales Of his uncles proves
that had reached him, in exaggerated form,
Of course. He besought his parents to al
low him to visit the great detective. and
his opportunities became such that finally
he was granted the coveted permission.
When the young fellow came back from
his visit he was full of stories that assured
him a group of eager listeners whenever he
felt disposed to talk What he had seen
and heard of detective life in the great
metropolis took such a powerful hold upon
him that all his thoughts by day and his
dreams by night were of feats of daring
executed while wearing on his breast the
magic emblem Of secret authority. The let
ters that passed from nephew to uncle soon
began to carry earnest requests for the
great mans help toward reallZlnS the
young mans cherished ambition to become
himself a sleuth of high degree. IF you
would only give me a chance to show what
/ can do wrote the nephew, Il know you
would never regret it. L feel that / have
the detective instinct strong within me-.
AT last the old saying that "all things
come to him who waits" proved itself true
in the young mans case. The uncle, VINO
was a secret service detective, received or
ders to investigate a counterfeit note that
seemed to be emanating from the town in
afn1, NnA
these instructions reached him the emf
nent detective had close at hand one of his
nephews importunate letters. Il believe
will give the lad the chance he has begged
for so long," he said. Acting on the i'm
pulse, he wrote the young fellow long let
ter, in which he explained the situation and
gave minute instructions as to how to pro-
coed in working up the case. Above all,
he cautioned, ''be extremely careful lest
you give away your business
FIRST BOUGHT a REVOLVER.
The would-be detectives delight at receipt
of this missive knew no bounds. He lost
no time in getting to the heart of the little
town. His first move was to enter hard
ware store and purchase shiny revolver
of .3S caliber, to be charged TO his fathers
account. Then the young sleuth. we'll nigh
bursting with the feeling of his impor
tance, strobe into nearby tobacco shop
and purchased a handful of cigars that
were of a darker hue than he had been &C
customed to select. AS he stood Iounging
over the counter with an air of we'll
feigned insouciance the eyes of the young
detective, rowing about in search of that
greatest OF detectives desideratums, a
clew suddenly rested upon an object that
caused him to thrill with excitement and
straighten up as if he had heard a pistol
shot in his immediate vicinity.
He approached nearer the fascinating OBJ
ject. 1t was a decidedly attractive adj
vertisement in the form of ten-dolar bill,
bearing a cleVerly executed portrait of a
familiar character in American history,
with a part of the face of the note hidden
from view by ''paster' on which was a
eulogistic description of the merits of a
new cigar.
THAT is an excellent imitation of a gov
eminent note" solloquized the amateur de-
tectve land / must know more about it,
/ will question the proprietor in a cautious
manner"
Rather neat bit of advertising, eh?" he
Ventured.
well. yes: I reckon it is admitted the
proprietor flushing perceptibly.
Can you tell me where that work was
done?" continued the sleuth. feeling his
way carefully and swelling with pride as
he thought how his uncle would commend
his shrewdness of Interrogation.
II could, but 1 won't" returned the store
keeper, shortly.
The would-be apprehender of criminals
grew elated. He the right track
now. to be sure WAS that work done
Yes, it was If you must know" rejoined
the man. but | can't see what business it
is of yours"
"Oh. 1 just asked out of idle curiosity"
said the young fellow, jauntily, and walked
out of the store with well-simulated ap-
pearance of unconcern.
Once out of the place. however. the young
detectives whole appearance became in
stantly transformed. His pace quickened
almost to a run and his nostrils f1uttered
like those of a high-bred race horse as he
pauseS after coming under the wire just
a neck in advance of his holly pursuing
rival. To the telegraph office, straight as
an arrow, flew the now thoroughly excited
young man. and. reaching the place he
hurriedly dashed off this message TO his
uncle: Come a once. Can give you i'm
portant clew."
UNMAKING OF A SLEUTH.
AS rapidly as steam could carry him
across the intervening stretch of country
the uncle came from New York to the
little Indiana town. His nephew was there
awaiting him, pacing up and down the
depot platform much after the fashion of
d hyena, most restless of all wild ami
mails.
Il think 1 can put you on the right
track" fairly gasped the young man. "and
we will have the cOunterfeiter before
night This remark was made the two
We're walking toward the town. the nephew
holding his uncle's arm and fairly pulling
him along in his eagerneSs. The walk
ended at the tobacco shop previously men
toned. Dragging his uncle into the store
the young man guided him without a WORD
TO the neatly framed advertisement which
had originated all this stir
The great detective looked steadily at the
finely engraved bill for few moments and