The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-07


4" That. madam. is nos an easy thing
to accomplish; for l still remembered
what string OF credentials had to
| offer in order to get the place then
held.
I win look about for you. she said.
kindly. and the next day she told me of
the detective agency.
." I can never never, never do that.
I exclaimed. Why, know nothing about
such things
But before she left me I had agreed TO
reward her interest by promising TO call
upon Mr.. Miller.
That night ] talked the matter over
with my mother. and we determined that
such work would be impossible-that l
was untitled for it-and that bad as the
was still a certainty, and l concluded TO
stay by it.
The lady came again the following
day and was displeased that l had not
kept my engagement
4 told her of my convictions, and that
l could not learn 'sleuthing, hut fate
ruled otherwise. Mr. Miller called at the
house and the matter was settled, and
1 was TO start on case the next day.
1t was a day of horrors. 1 shall never
forget it.
Two deserters from the navy were
reported TO be working for Philadelphia
concern The information came through
an anonymous letter. My formula from
the Office read
Apply for work at this place and
shadow the men. Ger acquainted with
them and get their confidence"
Il made application at the Office Of
the company. and believing IN the philos-
ophy of clothes 1 wore my Sunday best.
Great heavensr exclaimed the fore
man; YOU don't look as if you needed
work
Then 1 realized my mistake.
Let me see your hands-pretty white,
eh?' Then he continued
- Now, I would really like TO know
what you think you can work at here,
all logged out like that
- oh. 1 don't know. 1 begun, feebly;
only please, let me work at something
1 must
He looked me over with disfavor and
said scornfplly. DO you know enough
to peel apples?
Il was on the verge of tears, but
thought discontentedly of my return to
the Office with a report of failure-and 81
I pleaded earnestly just to take me on
trial; that l was in fearful need.
:. Go take off that finery.' he said, more
gently. and report for work this after
noon in the apple peeling and coring de-
partment'
u was there before the appointed time
and few minutes later stood before the
machine which 1 was to operate, and of
which l knew nothing.
Il made an attempt at it, without in
structions. My fingers were bleeding. and
the foreman yelled, not unkindly, Good
Lord! do you think you are in sausage
factory
When the day was over my fingers and
thumbs were tied up. and l walked the
floor groaning with pain.
Mr.. Miller said he would allow me to
keep what earned at the place, and
I at once told mother of the generous
offer. We planned how this amount could
be spent to the best advantage, and even
picked out the objects this allowance
would buy.
During the week 1 managed to talk to
the men suspected and for whom l was
there. Ny hands were so mangled that
could work only with the greatest suf-
fering and was glad to listen at every
to their conversations.
Little by little, the stories were told.
names were disclosed and addresses given
At the end of the week l had just eighty
nine cents to my credit for my work in
the factory; but the deserters whom 1
hunted were sent to Governors Island.
That was only the beginning. and Mr..
Miller concluded that l could best serve
him by keeping at this WORK.
4 am asked every day:-'How do you
go about it to find these men?' 1 can
only answer: In various ways.
- believe more deserters are taken in
by anonymous letters than in any other
way, although there are many methods,
and l have one of my own OF which 1
will tell you later.
Not long ago a marine was informed
upon by his mother-in-law as a good for
nothing loafer. She even gave his name
and address and told US at what hours
we would find him. II
we have two instances where moth
ers have caused the arrests of their own
sons. saying they wished them TO serve
their time out for their country and then
be free.
'Sweethearts became Jealous and in an
ger reveal the hiding places. for which !
they are always sorry later, and when
The arrests occur they cry Historically (
over their own deeds.
Most of the deserters have entered I
the service out OF spite in petty quarrel /
with their sweethearts. and then there /
are sure to follow letters pleading for 1
These reconciliations usually 4
end in desertion.
.'One woman, last week. asked US 70 4
give her husband over to the army for /
punishment He will not work when 1
he can get it, she said. and ! am tired /
Il supporting him..
Occasionally we find professional de-
who enlist Tor profit. one
II the most successful in this line was
John Mullen. He enlisted eleven times
n both army and navy. and each time
II course received a suit Of clothes Each
,utht is worth 81. aud he disposed OF
hem while they were yet new. deserted
md enlisted again.
I had a most singular experience IN
inding this man. All my life 1 have had
TRANCE and prophetic dreams. Some
lines travel and see houses and num-
,ers Of streets that fl the course OF the
Glowing day come under ny OhseTva-
ion.
..xs-be, entered this profession. these
occurrences were less frequent. but. r
.uythIng. more vivid. ard finally de-
ided 10 follow Up the clew 70 prove L