BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-11-13
G|inpSeS Of the Secret Service.
An Astro1oger Who Wanted an Ap-
pointment-A Man Whom Lock.
ed Doors Could Not Hold -Effron-
terry ola Released Convict.

The discussion of the Secret Service byI
Kinley assassination has led to some funny
applications for appointments in that bureau,
but none more qnaint than that of profes-
slonal astrologer. He reasoned, with much
forceful logic, that if q practitioner Of his
art had cast the horoscope of President Mo
Kinley, the police and public would have
been warned Of what was 10 happen in Buf.
falo. When asked what good this would
have done, if it had been decreed by fate
that the assassination should occur, he gave
as his opinion that, at any rate, every one
| in interest would have been spared the
shock of surprise. He VAS then asked whether
he could cast the horoscope OF President
Roosevelt, and did so, With what results it
would be inexpedient to publish here. He
was put through several more tests, to which
he responded in manner equally practical,
but it was decided not to take advantage Of
this opportunity to employ him.
Perhaps the most picturesque offer ofas
sistance ever made to the Secret Service
was received by Col. Whitley who was its
chief in the early seventies. "Petsn Nc.
Oartney, one Of the most dangerous and
troublesome members Of tie connterfeiting
fraternity in the United States, had Just
been put behind the bars at Springfield
H., and Whitley went through the prison
tbefore leaving tewn. As he passed Mozart.
ney's cell, the counterfeiter engaged him in
q cheerful conversation Of minute or two,
eading with the inquiry, where the Colonel
was staying. Whitley mentioned the name
lot his hotel, bade McOsrney goodbye, and
want on his way.
That evening Whitley was seated in hia
hosel roOm, working over some papers in
case which had been giving him good
deal of trouble. BE was seated at table
--h.-~ hA ~c.-lS 80 thA light - i.r..P,
, the rest Of the room being dark, and biz
back toward the door. He had reached
point in his case where it was necessary
that he should have for an assistant !
man Of unwavering nerve and remarkable
ingenuity, who could enter and leave with.
out discovery a building supposed to be
kept securely locked. Almost unconsciously,
he had begun talking aloud to himself
and, as he finally brought his fist down
upon the table, with the exclamation,
"Where can / get hold of such mania
: be was startled to hear a famil ar voice
behind him say, "May be I can help you
out" He sprang up, turning as he did so,
and looked into the face OF Mccartney.
; It seems that 'spete" had boasted to the
Chief that there was no use of locking
him up, as the dungeon had not yet been
built from which he could not walk ont of at
will, and this unexpected appearance was
simply by scay of an ocular demonstration
of his point. The Chief reached for his
pistol, which lay in an open gripsack by
his side, but Mccartney rsassured him,
saying that, having proved his statement,
be was now ready to go back and be locked
up again. Whitley did not put his pis-
tol away, but the two men walked amicably
over to the prison, where the counter.