Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-30
REPORTERS FALL FOR
"FRENCHY'S" FRAME-UP
PATRoLMEN ALSO TAKEN IN BY
GAG
"Stung," Whisper News Gatherers
and Fly Cops, Who Still Remcm-
ber Weary Hours on
Lonely Watch

O-o-o-o
Ow-ow-ow-ow.
Sh- sh- sh- sh.
Whisper ii softly.
Los Angeles has black hand mystery.
Walk gently along the streets of the city.
gaze with suspicion on the passing crowd
II you see 'dark-skinned man, heavily
bearded and with crafty appearance
watch him closely and tell the policeman ut
the first corner.
For Ed Kern's men are on the tran OF the
murrr-derous criminal
So much on his trail they that for
three weary hours Saturday night two bronzed
and hardy, fearless and relapie sieusns
the side of Mission road near the indian
village waiting, patiently waiting and
watching to lay their hands on the villain.
All TAXA de letta, see-a do skull. De
black hand dey alta me. Dey killa me
sure Dey sticka de dagger into my rios
All, sava me, save
This startling cry ringing out through
brought the policemen on duty to tneir
number tens. Those who wore number
twelves got on them.
"Frenchy" in Charge
Then the coolest one in the crowd took
1t was ''Frenchy' Trident.
Everyone knows "Frenchy."
In fact even the startled Italian the
bearer of the letter and the one whose
words had electrified the policemen, ap-
peared to know him.
"sacre" the low, siblant word Missed a
through Frenchys lips. 'Arretez vousl
Depeche vons. Tell me-tell me quick" he
said, "who 1t is would do you harm"
The watching patrolmen knew the great
est of all great detectives had his mana on
the helm, and all remained silent
''Ah my goota frien'," moaned the Ital-
ian TAXA me da chief to see De black
hand, de dirty mitt-it is after me-a. /
would hav' ct pinched."
~ MIN c.
ial commissioners, ENJOYS extraordinary Ell
al gazed in mingled admiration and won
der at the sharp-featured, stern-eyed under-
study of Sherlock Holmes and the swarthy
son of fair Italy
Then to the delight of all the Italian ex-
hibited black hand letters. Three OF them
Just think of 1t. All promising him Dag
gers bullets, poison, yea death in thou-
sand forms IL he did not come through Win
a sack of gold" WOW.
Arranges Plot
Then "Frenchy" arranged the plot
with the aid of the police-poor police
they fall for lots of things the clever plot
was laid
Cook and Cline were the ones seiected as
fall guys by "Frenchy.
Hist.
Elesupleve se
So at least Frenchy told the patrolmen.
Then they continued to arrange the plot
The hour of 10 grows nigh.
Together the willy patrolmen, "Frenchy
and a half dozen reporters, taken along 10
record the heroic deeds about 20 be per-
formed, left the station for the WIGS around
the Indian village.
No better spot could be found for pulling
off black hand stunt
"Frenchy" was still in charge
lie devo sacre monsieur" called the ex-
cited Frenchman. and obedient to his words
the husky fly cops dropped amid the tall
grasses.
"Hickerno the poo-poo," murmured Cook.
"Kibosh the killjoy." muttered Cline-but
they both stuck close to mother earth.
Starts on Trail
Meanwhile the tried and true "Frenchy,"
armed with a horse pistol of the vintage OF
49, summoned the gatherers Of the news and
started on a still hunt for the blackhand
assassin.
Theirs was to be the glory; nit for the
cops.
Taking the trembling Italian. protected
solely with sack full of steel washers, the
crowd speded for the sidewalk. There they
left their man and carefully selected places
behind thick trunked trees.
instructions were given the italian. He
was to walk straight ahead. Look neither
to the right or left until approached BY
the author of the threatening letters. Then
he was to hand over the sack OF washers,
the cops would jump in, to the music of the
cheering words from the admiring reporters,
the flash Of flash lights rah-rah-rah.
Rats.
Nothing doing.
For nearly an hour the poor dago walked.
Poor Cook and Cline lay and sweat Poor
reprters watched--and "Frenchy talked.
Murrrr- derous assassin did not show up.
He was hip Nit for him any monkeying g
with the fly cops.
At last the intended victim gave it up
as bad job. He refused to walk further.
He oaid he wanted to go home.
Then il was decided to return.
Monsieur la pursure," said 'Frenchy."
'Trame up" said Cook and Cline. but even
at that several OF the shrewd gatherers OF
news fell for it, and with Bold Head Type
played up the story of the desperate black
hand plot.