The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-09-20
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Instead Of bracing up for an effort l
put the matter or. stipulatlng with
myself that / would do better when
we were ashore and would not be so
intimately connected with my victims.
There I would do some fine sparring
from a distance.
One morning we stood on the ships
deck In the harbor OF Manila taking
leave of each other. The mother gave
my hand warm grasp, assuring me
she would never forget that her boy
was spared to her only through me.
Both the children clamored for kisses.
and 1t seemed they would never loosen
their arms from about my neck. When
/ went down the gangway they fol
lowed to the gunwale, Jack climbing
at the risk of falling overheard, Alice
held up by her mother, all waving and
shouting goodbys.
1t was several days after we reached
Manila before l took any steps In the
business ON which | had come out
tried to deceive myself into believing
that | was waiting for something. but
in reality I was giving them time to
get away. needed money and drew
ON the agency in San Francisco. This
made me ashamed of myself l hustled
into police Office with a great show Of
business and hired a man to do the
work / should have done myself.
gave him description of Mrs. Peter
sen and told him to End out II she had
Iaft nd dn xuh oh IN
gone. Then l waited, every day dread
ing that he would report what did not
wish to know. In couple of days he
returned with the information that
Mrs Petersen had gone to an army
post in the interior and had changed
her name to Finch, having Joined her
husband, a lieutenant of artillery serv-
ing under that name.
Well, at last l was in for it. sure
enough. You see, another fellow had
the secret. 1t was a choice between
my getting the man had employed off
In lonely place and numbering him or
nrrestng Petersen, alias Finch. l con-
fess | was strongly inclined to the mur-
der, but reluctantly decided on the
arrest. | went to the post where Lieu
tenant Finch was on duty. | found
that he was considered a gallant SOL
der and had risen from the ranks for
bravery In action.
| One evening, braced with much resO-
| luton, but with cowardly heart. I
| went to Finch's quarters and without
| ring or knock entered a hallway. Near
| by was an open door, and from within |
| could hear vOices-a woman'S, which |
| recognized as Mrs. Petersen's. and two
| children's. Jacks and Alice's. moved
| forward and stood before the open door.
| An officer in khaki was sitting with
| Jack on one knee and Alice on the
| other, while the wife was standing
| behind, with her arms around her hus-
| bands neck. The moment she saw me
she uttered an exclamation Of pleasure.
coming forward with outstretched
hands. Jack and Alice jumped down
from their fathers knees and clung to
my legs.
This Is the gentleman" said Mrs.
| Petersen, ''who saved Jacks life"
The officer came forward and well
coined me warmly. What could l do?
Turn this happy welcome into gall by
arresting the father and husband be-
fore his wife and children? | felt as
IL had been caught stealing instead
of catching thief. But 1t wasn't long
before they took all remembrance Of
my duty out of me. Mrs. Petersen in
sisted that l must be hungry and on
getting up supper for me. AS soon
as it was ready we all sat down at
the table and were soon chatting and
laughing, rapidly becoming the best OF
friends. In the midst of our hilarity
Jack and Alice who had been put to
bed In an adjoining room. came romp-
Ing In in their ''nighties" and perched
themselves on my shoulders. took
them back to bed In my own arms and
covered them up. We sat till late,
smoking and chatting / passing one
of the pleasantest evenings in my life
When / arose TO go the officer asked
me how long l would be In the Philip
pines. That brought me back to the