Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-11
MISTAKEN V0CATIONS
QUEER EXPERIENCES OF A DETEC-
TIVE WHO VISITED BOSTON.
Taken for Thief on Saturday and a
Wind-Pumper on
Sunday.

what ludicrous experiences in my career"
said a veteran police official a day two
ago to representative Of The Evening
Star. but to my mind two of the funniest
to allude to it mildly-two of the funniest
incidents that ever encompassed me happen
ed in Boston away back in the COS.
II was a member of the metropolitan po-
lice force of this District at that time and
serving as a member of the detective
branch. 1t was in the early days of the
war. and thieves, not only in this city but
throughout the country generally, were
holding high carnivals. The services Of the
police authorities we're frequently in de-
mand by the Treasury Department. and
was not In the least surprised when one
day was, together with my partner, long
ago dead. instructed to report at that de-
partment, where certain detective work was
required. The scene of operations was in
Boston. and without any unnecessary delay
we were dispatched to the modern Athens
with full information regarding what we
were expected to do.
I'VE reached the Hub early one Saturday
morning. and beautiful morning, too. 1t
was in early autumn. We were in light
marching order. Our luggage was COM
posed of two hand bags Landing at the
Old Colony depot we took a cab and were
quickly whisked to the old Trement House
I'VE registered-under assumed names
to comfortable room. / noticed on the
walls and stairways as we were journeying
upstairs and at various places printed
signs warning folks to beware of thieves
and pickpockets and others of that ilk.
Pulling my partners coat called his atten-
ton to the admonitions facing us at every
turn. When we reached our room we tip
ped the hotel attendant and sat down to
make ourselves comfortable before washing
up. To our amaZement the bell boy re-
turned and reported that the clerk would
like to see us in the Office. We both went
down and that functionary astounded US
by remarking: >
Gentlemen, I'm sorry, but we would
rather not have you as guests at this no.
tel
This was queer, to say the least, and
clerk was reluctant to clear up the situa-
ton. My partner, with a measure of no
little Indignation, said: DO you dare to in
sinuate that you take us for thievesf
THE clerk had nothing to say to this
beyond to reiterate what he had already
said. 1t was evident that he did, though.
and so did the Irish lad who had noticed
that twitched my partners coat and call
ed his attention to the warning posters.
1--WE then went direct to police headquar-
tiers, and fortunately met the chief Of the
detective staff, whom both of US knew very
well. He thought it was a good joke, and
said he wasn't surprised at the clerk being
frightened at two such ugly mugs as we
presented. but said he. come right away
with me-
1--WE went back to the hotel and the
Boston officer took us into the office. He
knew the clerk Intimately and sung out
loud enough for any body to hear:
Here. Joe are two desperate thieves.
but they're friends Of mine. I'll vouch for
them not stealing the house. Give them
the best in it,
well at that the clerk 'tumbled' and we
were given the glad hand as long as we
stopped at the fremont.
The next morning, Sunday, after q bath
good breakfast and a shine I wanted to
go to mass. and inquired of the boy who
blackened my shoes the direction Of the
nearest Catholic Church. There was. he
told me, new one near by where the first
services were to be held that morning He
gave me directions to how to reach it
ana went alone. My partner thought he
would pass the morning looking at the
shipping along the India docks
followed big crowd. got into the
church and asked one of the ushers for a
seat. He seemed to be overwhelmed with
the work of seating people and turned me
over 10 lad who took me through a.
vestibule. escorted me up a rather long
stairway and landed me in the organ loft
behind a big organ.
Il was. of course, surprised and much
more SO when the usher said:
rake on your coat and I'll hang it
up for YOU
why will I take Off my coat? said.
becoming more and more astonished
organ? asked my guide
Ihis capped the climax. Taken for a
TIMER on Saturday and as a man to pumn
Wlnd into q church organ on Sunday was
altogether comical. But things were made
right In both instances. They were too
time so full of humor that l have never
forgotten them"