Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13

Policeman Oriani of the first precinct
was smiling when approached at the cor
ner of 14th street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. by a Star reporter yesterday morn
ing He continued the pleased expression
as he agreed with the reporter that we
were having beautiful weather just then.
What's funuy?' the guardian of the
peace was asked.
1T strikes me as ridiculous how foolish
people of undoubted refinement and intel
ligence can be- replied the policeman. IF
they were from the back woods it would
be possible to understand some of the mis-
takes that are being made every day. But
these folks l speak of to judge from their
dress and manner must be city bred. Come
with me for moment
The man in blue and brass buttons led
the way to one of the galvanized iron
boxes attached to an electric light pole in
tended to receive scraps. waste paper ana
the like. He reached through the spacious
opening of the receptacle and fished out
three letters, properly stamped and bearing
the mark of a leading downtown hotel.
These letters were just deposited here
by a man wearing frock coat and silk hat
and accompanied by a lady styliShly clad
And there is a letter box not ten feet away.
Would you believe IL possible for such
mistakes to be made every day in the year?
During the inauguration last month 1 was
occupied almost entirely during my tours
of duty rescuing letters from these waste
boxes"
81 think If I should go through another
experience similar to that of the other
night 1 would be hauled in the bug wagon
to the house over on the HILL" remarked
an uptown resident to a Star reporter.
II have always scoffed at and belittled the
deeds of bravery and daring 1 have read
about in the daily papers. but hereafter L
am not a dOubter. On the evening men
toned above 1 told my wife 1 would not
get home until late. and that for fear of
arousing her 1 would use the extra bed
room. 1t was about l o'clock when 1
turned in. and a few minutes after my
head had touched the pillow I distinctly
heard some one make an attempt to insert
a key in the front door lock. Instantly L
was wide awake. Again I heard that key
at work Getting out of bed, [ softly tip
tOed to the head of the stairs. Then L
heard some one try to open the blinds.
Then the scene of action shifted and the
front door was opened and the robber
walked into the parlor. BY this time l was
In such a nervous state / did not know
what to do. My hair commenced to rise
and L could hear the beating of my heart.
j had no weapon of defense. While debat-
ing just what to do l heard the thief walk
through the parlor, then come toward the
stairway, from which / beat a hasty re-
treat. What should l do? 1 said to my
self. If l go down there and let that fell
low get a shot at me they'll be carrying
me out of here in a couple of days. If L
remain here and my wife and children are
aroused and learn that am afraid to move
I'll be branded as a coward and will never
be looked up to with respect again Pull
ing myself together l cautiously sneaked
down stairs. went to the kitchen, got
big stove litter and then came along the
side of the hallway to the parlor. l stopped
for a moment, listened. heard my robber
friend walking around the dining room, and
then-I stood right where l was Pulling
myself together by a superhuman effort L
went into the dining room, expecting as l
did to be confronted by 4 man with
revolver in hand. In the dim light | did
not see any one, but noticed the cupboard
door slightly ajar. Walking toward 1t with
a do or die tread I hastily jerked 1t open
and made a pass at what l supposed was
the rObber. There was a terrible crash of
crockery and something jumped past me.
i fell in a heap, and then l heard a voice
from above say, Charley, what on earth is
the matter? Holding my hand to my heart
To still its beating l replied, in as brave
voice l could. Nothing. my dear. l am
trying 30 chase out the cat
4 \
Through a combination of circum-
stances Il number of articles have recently
appeared in different newspapers in con-
nection with the destruction of some coun-
terfeit money by the Treasury Depart
ment." explained an officer of a local bank
To a Star reporter, land some persons have
got the idea from reading them that there
is Il great deal of counterfeit money in cir
culation- The exact opposite Is true. for
never in the history of United States ma
tionaI bank notes has there been so little
fraudulent money in existence. 1 saw the
money which was destroyed. Most of it
has been in the possession of the depart
ment for Il number of years. and has been
made the subject of many previous sensa-
tiOnal and misleading newspaper articles
Put all together it would not fill a water
bucket AS has been frequently explained
cOunterfeiting money is to a great extent a
lost art. and the men who formerly made
it have died out. There is more risk about
il than any other crime described on the
statute books for detection Is almost sure
and punishment is absolutely certain
There IS no sympathy whatever with a