St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-02-11
A PRESERVATION
OFF THE BOARDS
[Original.]

A gentleman jumped from a cab,
paid the driver and, Selling a small
handbag and package of umbrellas
and canes, stepped 0riskly into no.
tel. His face was clearly shaven, and
he was dressed in new suit of Scotch
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 a pen and entered his name as
John Overaker.
"Let me have a blank check" said
the gentleman.
The clerk handed him the desired ar
ticle, and Mr.. Overaker filled it out on
a 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 in bank near
ly all our cash today. If you can wait
awhile, I'll be 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
he descended to the dining room, from
which he emerged few minutes be-
fore 8 o'clock. He was about to leave
the hotel when the clerk called to him.:
Il have the money for your check
now. Will you kindly step into the Of
flee moments?
Why he was asked into the office
Mr. Overaker 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 meanY 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 l am astonished. You
not only impersonate a man well
known in this town, but 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 younger man. but the express
sion is less hardened"
"AIr. Policeman said the accused
man, with queer look in his eye,
don't you think I'm at least entitled
to the money on the check I've
drawn"
Il think you'll come along with me-"
"Not 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 violent
ring at the telephone bell, which was
answered by the clerk, who had been
a locker on.
.1 w Ell tlIi, ,o+o,q, ~e,9s,
AS Ills w. D hotei' ~
Eyes"
as Walter Courtney there?"
"No such person stopping here"
eyes; there is. Start your boys
around at once to find out what's the
matter with him."
II tell you he's not here"
"And tell you he is. We're waiting
for him."
"Who's waiting for him?'
"Why, the company at the theater."
"What theater"
At the word theater Mr.. Oyeraker