The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-10-02
A PRESERVATION
OFF THE BOARDS
[original.l

tweed With a figure like a checker
board. From this description he may
easily be recognized as belonging to
the dramatic profession. At the coun-
ter he swung the register around,
seized pen and entered bis name as
John Oyeraker. >,eza~
'Let me have blank check" said
the gentleman.
The clerk handed him the desired ar
ticle, and Mr.. Overaker filed it out on
New York bank for $50. Handing it
to the clerk, he stood as though expect
Ing the money. The clerk hesitated.
I'm sorry. Mr.. Overaker," said the
clerk, that we deposited tn bank near
" all our cash today. If you can wait
awhile, I'll be happy to accommodate
you"
ANY time" said the gentleman. Il
may not need 1t till late this evening"
He then turned and followed the
DellbOy to his room. In half an hour
he descended to the dining room, from
which he emerged a few minutes be-
fore s O'Clock. He was about to leave
the hotes when the clerk called to him:
II have the money for your check
now. viii you kindly step into the Of
flee momentY'
Why he was asked into the Office
Mr.. Ovraker could not understand.
Nevertheless he stepped through door
beside the counter and found himself
in a small room with two men in police
uniform.
"Mr. Overaker," said one of them,
"have you any letters in your pocket?'
What does this meanf" asked the
gentleman, astonished.
Answer my question"
Eyes; have. Do you want to exam
inc my private correspondence
II would like to look at the address,"
Mr.. Overaker took half a dozen let
tiers from his pocket and handed them
to the officer, who looked at them, then
looked at Mr.. Overaker, then put the
letters in his pocket. From another
pocket he drew photograph, which he
studied carefully, after which he made
a similar study Of the features of Mr..
Overaker.
"Pat Doolan," he said, 'alias Handy
Jim, we've been looking for you for
some time. You're the slickest con-
fidence man in the business. This job,
however, is SO barefaced, so easy of
detection, that / am astonished You
not only tmpersonate man well
known in this town, out when asked
to identify yourself as him you hand
out letters addressed to another man.
This photograph from the rogues' gal
lery was evidently taken when you
were a younger man, but the express
sion Is less hardened"
'Mr. Policeman" said the accused
man, with a queer look in his eye,
don't you think I'm at least entitled
to the money on the check I've
drawn
II think you'll come along with me-"
mot just now, if you please. There
are thousand people waiting for that
hardened face of mine After they're
through with me I'll devote myself to
you"
Before you see them you'll be back
in familiar Quarters-a CELL"
'Who are you anyway
Inspector Gallagher"
At that moment there was q violent
ring at the telephone bell, which was
answered by the clerk, who had been
locker on.
"WellT'
''Is this G.'s hotelY
eyes"
as Walter Courtney thereT'
"No such person stopping here"
Eyes; there is. Start your boys
around at once to find out what's the
matter with him.
81 tell you he's not here"
"And tell you he is. We're waiting
for him."
"Who's waiting for him p
"Why, the company at the theater."
"What theaterT'
At the word theater Mr., Overaker
pricked up his ears.
"B.'s theater. Perhaps he's regis
tered under another name. He Is an
absentminded man and gets mixed
with the characters he plays"
'What character does he play to-
night?"
John Overaker in The Shortest
Way There"
"By thunder
Meanwhile the policemen were about
to take away the suspect when the
clerk stopped them and told them to
wait a bit After hearing the last
words he dropped the receiver and said
to Mr.. Overaker:
care you Walter Courtney?'
"Of course am"
"Then why the dickens have you
been personating John Oyeraker?"
Mr.. Courtney for the first time saw
his blunder.
Because" he replied, with twin
kle in his eye, I'm an actor"
Front" called the clerk wildly. ''call
a carriage and be quick about it, Mr..
Courtney, I'm very sorry that you have
been Inconvenience" Then, going to
the safe, he clutched five ten dollar
bills and brought them to the actor.
"Carriagev' called the bellboy.