The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-30
, MoNG the lights and shadows of q

N MoNG the lights and shadows of a
Mi great city one of the most inter-
esting actors is the private de-
tective, despite the fact that the call
ing or private spy must always be
more or less despicable to the honest
and honorable.
Have you ever been shadowed2 ?
Have You ever been a shadow on your
own behalf or as calling and for
hire? Have you ever had another man
watched?
1t is we'll known that most large
mercantile establishments employ
many private detectives to look after
the thousands of callers and inciden-
tally their own employees, and in many
OF the large mail order houses there
are regular house detectives-opera-
tors from some large agency which
is paid so much a year. But the most
interesting is the man you meet as
you walk along the streets and the
man Immediately following him. or
maybe the man behind yourself.
everybody is familiar with the use
made OF the private detective in di-
vorce cases, and most everybody is ia
miliar with the amount of Importance
attached to such evidence by the
courts. whether Ii be in divorce or in
other legal proceedings. Some Judges
refuse to consider such evidence ex-
cept where there is, from other infor-
nation, no question or argument. Yet
many private detectives, and even the
ordinary operators known as shadows
are comparatively honorable 1t is the
calling which is despised. Most men
resent the right of another man to fol-
low and spy on their proceedings and
business.
Men Resent Being Shadowed
II you ask the average man what he
would do il he found he was being
Ioiiowed around he will usually de-
clare; Il wouldn't stand it for a min
ute. 1t would be a case of getting him
In dark alley"
Yet this might not be wise. The
shadow Is apt to be powerful and the
shadowed get sadly the worst Of it.
When man is to be shadowed II is
necessary to spot him. that is, get fa-
miiiar with face. figure and dress, and
tfen II possible follow him around
without arousing suspicion. The first
part Is easy, the second extremely diff
ncult II there is any idea in the mind
or the shadowed that he Is being
watched. II a man goes to a certain
oince AT much the same time each day
and information as to his business en-
gagements is desired. ii then becomes a
matter OF stationing detectives at the
points near his house and then follow
ing him to the office building, where
others are stationed to walt on him.
Usually no close approach to the house
Is made for fear the man will be made
! aware of his espionage.
With difficult subject and one who
is aware that he is being watched, the
shadows. unless there are delicate
points in the case, usually let the man
know that, to degree, they will meet
his wishes and not Inconvenience him
| more than necessary, and will simply
ask him to give them a square DEAL"
That is to say. If he will not try to
shake them" they will not close in on
him or follow so as to attract too much
attention and make 1t conspicuous
nuisance
At this point the man with the tenn
per declares that under no such condi-
| tons viii he lead this life. and that he
| will appeal to the police. Yet reflec-
| tion may show him that perhaps others
have rights to the streets as well as
| himself. and that unless he can show a
positive molestation or interference
with his work or peace OF mind and
| body il will be difficult to do anything
| except swear out warrants for the ar
rest of the men and then have a lot OF
| extra trouble ON his hands. II he feels
| that he is In the right and can stand II
without giving much thought to the
| impertinence It viii probably come to
be his best course. Naturally If he is
a criminal he will do all in his power
| to shake" his tormentors, and even If
he is unduly sensitive this may be his
first way. Then those who are inter-
ested in having him wached usually
employ more operators until 1t is diff
cult for him to move without having
| two or more private detectives at his
| heels.
The writer knows of cases where
| shadow and shadowed have been seen
| taking a drink or smoke together and
| talking without bad feeling on either
| side. except that the detective has
| probably concluded il to be all balder-
| dash and so advised the man who is
| followed. A well known Chicago at
torney not long ago had a pack of
| four with him every day and even TO
his home, and when he went to the
| theater or elsewhere in the evening his
\ footsteps were dogged. He took Ii good
naturedly enough and arranged where
he would be at such and such a time,
| taking his shadows TO the most eXpen-
/ siye restaurants, so that the costs on
the other side might be as high as
| possible and little trouble was made
! for him by the shadows.
One shadow following a man who
moves rapidly and knows his city well
| Is almost useless. because at some