, 1902-12-25
A PRESERVATION
OFF THE BOARDS
TOrigincl.l

A gentleman jumped from n cab,
paid the driver and, scizinS n small
handbag and n package of umbrellas
and canes. stepped briskly into n ho-
tel. His face was Clearly shaven, and
lie vas dressed in a new suit of Scotch
tweed with Il figure like n checker
board. From this description he may
easily be recognized as belonging to
h dramatic profession. At the coun-
ter he swung the register around.
seized n pen and entered his name rs
John Overaker.
Let me have a blank check" said
Ii gentleman.
The clerk handed him the desired ar
ticle, and Mr.. Oyeraker filed it out on
a New York bank for 500. Handing 1t
10 the clerk. he stood as though expect
ing the money. The clerk hesitatcd.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Ovcraker.' said the
Clerk, that we deposited in bank near
ly all our cash today. If you can wait
awhile, I'll De happy to accommodate
you"
ANY time" said the gentleman. 81
may not need it till late this evening"
He then turned and followed the
bellboy to his room. In half an hour
lie descended to the dining room. from
which he. emerged Il few minutes be
fore s o'clock. He was about to leave
the hotel when the clerk called to him:
Il have the money for FOUR check
now viii you kindly step into the Of
flee Il momcnt:'
Why he was asked into the office
Mr.. Overukcr could not understand.
Nevertheless he stepped through Il door
beside the counter and found himself
in n small room with two men in police
uniform.
Mr.. O%veraker,' said one of them,
shave you any letters in your pocket?'
What does this mean?' asked the
gentleman, astonished.
ANSWER my question"
Eyes; | have. Do you want to exam
Inc my private correspondence"
Il would like to look mt the address,"
Mr.. Overaker took half IL dozen let
tiers from his pocket and handed them
10 the officer, who looked ut them. then
looked at Mr.. O%veraker, then put the
letters in his pocket. From another
pocket he drew Il photograph, which he
studied carefully, after which he made
Il 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. lot
not only impersonnte IL man we'll
known liz this town. but when asked
TO identify yourself as him You hand
out letters addressed to another man.
This photograph from the rogues' gal
aery was evidently taken when you
were n younger man, but the expires.
sion is less ha-dened."
MI. Policeman said TIE accused
man, with a queer look in his eye
don't you think I'm at least entitle,
to the money on the check Nv,
drawn?'
81 think you'll come along with me-
"Not just now, if you please. There
are Il thousand people waiting for tina
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 momen there was a violent
AihS At IN ltlNlllpllt btll. WHICH WAS
answered by the clerk, who had beef
Il locker on.
"Well:'
SIS this CAS- hotclT'
"Yes."
SIS Walter Courtney there?"
"No such person stopping here"
YES: there is. Start your boys
around ut once TO find out what's the
matter with him"
81 tell you he's not here"
"And l tell you he is. We're waiting
for him"
Who's waiting for himT'
why. the company at the theater."
"What theaterf'
At the word theater Mr.. OYeraker
pricked up his ears.
IBIS theater Perhaps he's regis.
tered under another name. lie Is IN
absentminGcd man and gets mixed
with the characters he plays"
what character does he play to
night"
''.John Overaker in The Shortest
Way There"
by thundcr,'
Meanwhile the policemen were about
to take away the suspect when the
clerk stopped them and told them to
wait II bit. After hearing the last
words he dropped the receiver and said
10 Mr.. Overaker:
Are you Walter Courtney?"
"Of course lam"
''Then why the dickens have you
been pcrsonating John Overaker:"
Mr.. Courtney. for the first time saw
his blunder. -
Because" The replied. with a twin
kle in his eyea I'm an actor"
s.ISrnDt - gnIlo1 tIa aloud, ,viI1t,. ..n,I II