Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-09-21

many questions winch were but the
commonplaces that any individual
who wanted to get smattering OF the
detail Of such business would have
asked. He was received tolerantly
| by the old heads of the customs crowd.
Many agents had been to the docks
ahead Of him and most OF these had
been experts. II they began to get
dangerous, political influence was used
in having them pulled OF the Job or
money was used In having them fail
to report any wrongdoing. But this
youngster who did not know the sim
| plest things about the customs service
he was hardly worthy Of notice.
But during that week Gard had not
expected to become customs expert.
| His plan for getting results was
founded on a different idea. He had
been hunting for man who suited
the purpose of his plan. and had found
| him. This man was an Irishman by
the name Of O'Toole, who was one Of
the weighers at certain dock In
Brooklyn. He had In the back OF his
head all the facts that the special
| agent lacked. II he could be induced
to cooperate. the case might be
| worked out.
O'Toole was man OF fifty, and had
been weigher for eleven years.
Gard had learned many things about
him. He had no family. his great. en-
thusiasm was baseball, and his weak
ness was q certainty of going to the
mat with John Barleycorn every third
Saturday night. He was lonesome
man, and sour and cynical.
How long have you been on this
investigation" O'Toole asked Gard
before the conversation had gone
far.
Just this week." said the special
| agent.
Have you found anything?" asked
the weigher.
mot yet" said the special agent.
We'll, II you want your job to
last, don't" said the Irishman.
They discussed the general points
In the business Of weighing cargoes
and the work of the force having
1t in charge. But the special agent
had gathered the idea that O'Toole
was not in sympathy with conditions,
that he was not a member OF the in
| ner circle. Yet an intelligent man
serving as weigher for eleven years
| would know secrets that would be of
interest to the government, and
O'Toole was embittered. He should
be cultivated.
The days of the following week the
special agent spent about the docks
| dressed as rough laboring man. The
nights he spent in nearby saloons
with the acquaintance he had made
during the day. The idea in this was
to determine what information the
laborers were able to pick up and
whether they could be used as inform
ers. Many of these were Irishmen, AZ
smart as the best Of them, and pretty
well aware OF what was going on.
From the gossip OF these men 1t was
also possible to get many fash on
the character Of the men higher up.
O'Toole they pronounced honest.
They won't give him q chance to
get on the inside" said one, because
they are afraid he might talk when he
IL drunk"
He wouldn't take dirty money, any
| way" insisted another. He Ia an
honest man."
The third week the special agent
was devoting to the ball park, sitting
| in the bleachers three seats back OF
| O'Toole. He had determined that the
Irishman should tell him the story OF
the customs frauds from the inside.
He knew that, to get on basis of
sufficient good feeling to bring this
about, he must approach O'Toole on
the most favorable basis possible. Too
much care could not be taken In laying
the foundation for his final proposal
| to the weigher. The mans love for
baseball first presented itself. The
| agent determined to become fellow
fan with him. Thus should he come
to know him better and under most
favorable circumstances.
On two occasions the special agent
bowed to the weigher in leaving the
1 bleachers. He had thus got himself
identified in that individuals mind
as a fellow fan. 1t was the end OF the
second week, however, before the con-
ditions developed that made just the
opening that Gard wanted. The situa-
ton worked itself out on Saturday aft
ernoon. The game had gone three
innings when a furry Of rain threat
ened to bring 1t to a close. Then
there was a downpour. The people In
the bleachers scurried for shelter.
There seemed little chance for the
game being Iesumed. and most OF the
bleacherites filed out under their uu,-
brellas.
Some twenty enthusiastic fans held
to their seats on the chance that the
game would 60 on. Among these were
O'Toole and the special agent. Both
were drenched to the skin. Finally
the umpire announced that the game
was called, and the stragglers turned
homeward. AS O'Toole started to go
he was greeted by Special Agent Gard.
by jove," said the young man. i
believe you are more enthusiastic
fan than I am