Year: 1879

AMERICAN POLICE AND PRISON LIFE. After the Paris Exhibition of 1867 I found | the old country rather too warm for me, and

 resolving to place the Atlantic between myself and pursuers, took the steamer at Liverpool l for New York, where 1 arrived, accompanied l by my wife, after an agreeable passage. Hav- l ing plenty of money had no need to Center | into busness.' and the delicate health of my

 ''better half" prevented me from doing any if was so disposed But about the end of twelve months, when was prepared to do something, my very first essay brought me in contact with the detectives. It was in this wise: walking with friend one morning, 1 was just about to step into place of business 1 "a fencing" establishment, which by the way is common enough in every large city, l both in the old country and the new (of course l you know that in thieves slang fence" is l receiver of stolen goods )-when, glancing cau-

 tiously round, espied a person I did not like | in the doorway opposite, who evidently | sought to conceal his features but l had

 caught sight of enough to satisfy me that had seen it among the collection of photos of the I New York detectives, which had taken the precaution to obtain Pausing l returned

 and joined my companion, whom then accus- ed of being traitor, and putting the detective Ou de SLOutIy It Uut dS buc uCGcC- tive was following us, and apparently wished l to join us, made my friend stop and face it

 out. Coming up he said to my companion: Good morning, Billy" And holding out l his hand for a shake, said: Cant ye intro duce me to yer friend:"

 turned toward him and said: 'I think he | has already given me good introduction by ! having you here this morning.

 'I assure you," he replied, cit was qnite hx,- 1T I. l friend Billy so early in the morning all fixed | up I thought would see who was with him. Iknow who you are now, yonr tongue has betrayed you, so don't accuse Billy. am | happy to make your acquaintance, and if you will come and dine with me tonight l will tell you what know, and we can talk on business there; so come, let us liquor up and | 1 will leave you"

 We entered an hotel, drank and parted with l promise on my part that would not fail to accept his invitation. Punctual to my time

 was at the address that he gave me. He in- | troduced me to his wife and family, and we

 had pleasant time. Before leaving he and lad about an hours quiet confab. The sum and substance of it was this. Some two years

 before they had had communications from England that they might expect visit from

 person of my description but no one knew

 me on that side, though was "wanted.' He

 showed me there and then a copy of the Scot land Yard communication. It appears that he had been told by some old English friends

 whom I had seen since landing that I was in l the country; and so, when he saw me that

 morning, and the place I was going into, he felt pretty sure that was the man he wished to see.

 'tNow," said he, ''not one of the detectives

 knows you, and I don't want any of them to See you. You will have to do business with

 us and l want you to do it through me. They

 cannot touch you from England"

 ''Wel," I said, now for terms, and what

 protection will you give me, for know all

 about il? have not turned dollar in New

 I ork yet and Ii your Cerme do not suit me l

 shall return to France"

 The terms finally agreed upon were as fol-

 lows: Ten per cent, on all received cash

 that is to say, the amount the goods would

 fetch at the fences" this would go to the gen. eral funds at head quarters and anything in

 the way of quiet present to him at any time

 would be acceptable. l should have introduc-

 tions to any of the large cities in tho Union,

 and he would forward me cash and receive

 goods of any description, and there would be

 no necessity for me to see any more of the

 ''ring," as he..would be answerable for every thing, if;I would let him know immediately

 if anything was done likely to raise 'hue and cry" -

  glass of champagne, and the league was made;

 but instead of ten per cent often gave more than twenty and thirty, and then was fre- quently black-mailed I have nothing to say against my friend. He was a nice, pleasant fellow enough, good hearted, and as brave as

 lion in an encounter. He was only doing

 what others were doing, and carrying out their system of feathering their nests while they

 were in office, for their tenure was very pre- carious-the next election might throw them out. They received as salary one thousand two hundred dollars a year and made many thousand out of the thieves.

 Now will relate how I benefited by this compact with Mephistopheles. Some months after, when had paid considerable sums into the detectives treasury, 1 had occasion for their services. l was arrested at the instiga- tion of a merchant in this wise. In a city, some twelve hours distant from New York, had operated successfully on friend of this merchant, and by accident went to do busi- ness with him in New York; and used hand writing on my card, the fac-simile of the one had used with the merchant in the country. The latter, having business in New York, cal led upon his friend, describing his losses, and produced the card 1 had used. Now, had neglected to call upon the New York man ac- cording to promise; so, after some weeks, meeting me in the streets, he dogged my steps and had me arrested. Having at the time a friend with me who knew the ropes, I told him to see certain lawyer. and have him at the police court. Now knew that the proceed ings were illegal, because they could not hold me for what was done in another State but if the police were thick headed enough to lock me up for the night, the merchant from. the country would be able to arrive in time with a requlsition signed by the Governor of the State, to detain or remove me. Therefore knew that could claim to be taken direct to the T--Police- court. found the captain of the police at the station-house good sort of fellow who would see through the case.

 He hurried us all of to the court, where found my friend the detective, with the right lawyer and the right judge, who had all had little quiet conversation, as I soon learned, as to bow much the case was worth, either to hold me, or to take ball. or send me about my business; and they concluded to screw few dollars out of me.

 When the judge heard the ..--se was ., ex

 1t npon himself to have another citizen arrested

 on so frivolous charge j; but as it was late

 and the court was tired, he would hold me un-

 til the morning. "Then," said he, '.you must

 produce bail for one thousand dollars, but for to-day the court is closed" This was all the prosecutor wanted, for it would give him time to bring on his friend. But the judge did not intend any such thing. My ball was put ln,

 and was at home in an hour sitting down to dinner. gas ~efT@ @zffna xSscrma Next morning appeared, and before anyone

 knew that the court was open l was formally discharged before the country people could get l there. This little affair cost me three hundred 1 dolars-yes, sixty pounds Brltish-and any lawyer could have had me discharged for ten dollars t4s ] The next case that needed the help of my police allies was sharp practice on both sides. Some months after the former adventure was I busy about .'crack"-that is, a burglary-in

 an establishment that would amply repay

 little extra trouble. I was arrested red -Aand- l ed. The storekeeper, who unluckily seized 1 me, began little cutting, in the way of pre-

 liminary discipline, instead of calling for help but, unfortunately for him, I was somewhat 1 celebrated for pugilistic skill, and he was soon

 measuring his length on the ground The

 noise, however, attracted the attention of his

 clerks, by whom was quickly surrounded;