Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-11-04
A PERSOMATlON
OFF THE BOARcS
An Actors Whim Discounts
a Detective.


and canes. stepped briskly into ho-
tel. His face was cleanly shaver. and
he was dressed In new suit OF Scotch
tweed. From this description he may
easily be recognized as belonging to
Athe 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 filed 1t out on
n New York bank for $50 Handing II
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
Iy all our cash today. If you can walt
awhile I'll be happy to accommodate
you"
"Any time," said the gentleman. II
may not need 1t till late this evening""
He then turned and followed the
beilboy to his room, from which he
emerged few minutes before 8
O'Clock. He was about to leave the
hotel when the clerk called to him:
~ have the money for your check
now. VIII you kindly step into the Of
nce a momentr'
why he was asked Into the office Mr..
Overaker could not understand. New
ertheless he stepped through a door
beside the counter and found himself
in small room with two men In po-
lice uniform.
"Mr. Overaker," said one of them,
"have you any letters in your pocketf"
what does this mean2" asked the
gentleman. astonished.
ANSWER my question"
"Yes; l have. Do you want to ex-
anime my private correspondence
81 would like to look at the address"
Mr.. Overaker took half dozen let
ters 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 an
other pocket he drew a photograph.
which he studied carefully. after
which he made n 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-
fldence man In the business, THIS job.
however. is SO barefaced. SO easy of
detection. that / am astouished. You
not only impersonate 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' gall
lery was evidently taken when you
were younger man"
"Mr. Policeman" said the accused
man. with q queer look In his eye.
don't you think I'm at least entitled
to the money on the check I've
drawn?"
81 think you'll come along with nae"
mot Just now. If you please. There
are a thousand people waiting for TINT
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 a violent
ring at the telephone bell. which was
answered by the clerk
"Well?''
"Is this G.'s hotel?"
Eyes"
"Is Walter Courtney thereT
''No such person stopping here"
ayes; there is. Start your boys
around at once to find out what's the
matter with him. We're waiting for
him"
who's waiting for himT'
"Why. the company at the theater."
what theaterr'
"B.'s theater; Perhaps he's regis.
tered under another name. He is an
absentminded man and gets mixed
with the characters he plays"
what character does he play to-
nightT'
John overaker in The Shortest
Way There"
by thunderr -
After hearing the last words the
clerk dropped the receiver and said to
Mr. Overaker:
Are you Walter CourtneyT'
''Of course am"
''Then why the dickens have you
been personating John Overaker ~. I
Mr.. Courtney for the FIRST time saw
his blunder.
Because" he replied, with a twin
kle In his eve, I'm an actor"
'FRONT.' called the. clerk wildly.
''Call carriage. and be quick about
it. Mr. Courtney, I'm very sorry that
you have been nconvenienced." Then.
going to the safe. he clutched ave ten
dollar bills and brought them to the
actor.
"Carriagew called the bellboy.
"Goodby. Mr. Policeman called
MFR. Courtney Don't lose that pre-
cious photograph from the rogues' gal
lery taken of me when my face was
less hardened. I'll make the best gag
out OF this tonight I've ever made on
the stage"
"If you do TIL leave the force"
well. wen compromise by your
meeting me after the play. and we'll
let that $50 I've got by confidence
game 20 for champagne After all.
the jokes on me-"